Thousands bid an emotional farewell to martyred NSG commando Lt Col E K Niranjan  on Tuesday as his mortal remains were laid to rest with full military honours near his ancestral home at Elambulassery in Palakkad district.

The body of the officer, killed during combing operations at the Pathankot airbase in Punjab, was brought to Palakkad from Bengaluru on Monday evening.

Earlier in the day, Niranjan’s body was placed at the KAUP School at Elambulassery for people to pay their respects. Hundreds had been queuing up at the family home in Elambulassery village since Monday night to pay respect to the departed soldier. Niranjan was killed while defusing an IED at the terror-hit airbase.

The last rites were performed in the presence of Niranjan’s family, friends, colleagues and hundreds who turned up to bid farewell to the slain officer.

Officers of the armed forces monitored the arrangements at Elambulassery. The state government was represented by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.  Chief Minister Oommen Chandy visited the family late on Monday. Palakkad MP M B Rajesh, MLAs A K Balan and M Hamsa were among people who were at Niranjan’s home on Tuesday. Chennithala said  that details of compensation to Niranjan’s family will be finalised in a state Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Man held for offensive FB post
Kozhikode Police on Monday arrested a 24-year-old man for posting an offensive comment about the slain soldier on a website, DHNS reports from Thiruvananthapuram.

Anwar Sadhik, a native of Kodur in Malappuram district, had commented on Facebook report saluting the martyred commando–“Another nuisance gone. Now his wife will get a job and money while the common man gets nothing. Rotten Indian democracy”.

Josey Cherian, Assistant Commissioner, Kozhikode North, said Anwar was booked for sedition, under Section 124A of the IPC. The officer said the arrested man, a ration shop employee, was also being probed over his other inflammatory social media posts.