Former chief minister and Janata Dal Secular JD(S) State unit president H D Kumaraswamy, on Sunday, said it was time for both India and Pakistan to resolve Siachen dispute to save soldiers losing lives in the line of duty.

After calling on family members of Subedar T T Nagesh, of Tejuru village, one of the 10 soldiers, who died in an avalanche in Siachen, Kumaraswamy said, “India and Pakistan authorities must take measures to resolve the issue in Siachen as thousands of soldiers have lost their lives in the last several years.”

Recalling his visit to Siachen in 1997, Kumaraswamy said, “It is not a worthy place to live due to extreme weather and soldiers work hard to protect the land. Siachen is of no use for both the nations and thus patrolling at the same should be suspended, he said.

He also urged the State government to provide additional benefits as Nagesh had served the army since he was 18 years old. Kumaraswamy assured Nagesh family members to visit them again after last rites of the soldier.

MLA H S Prakash, JD(S) leader Swaroop and others were present.

Wait continuesThe relatives of Sepoy P N Mahesh at Pashupathi village, KR Nagar taluk continue to wait for the body, after his death at Siachen in Jammu and Kashmir. 

The body that was expected to reach Mysuru on Sunday, could not be airlifted from Leh due to extreme weather conditions on Sunday morning. The body is expected to be brought via Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru on Monday.

The district administration and taluk administration have made arrangements for his funeral. 

Before performing last rites at Pashupathi, the mortal remains will be kept for public viewing at Government PU College in HD Kote. 

A native of Pashupathi village, the family of Mahesh moved to HD Kote after his late father got a job, 40 years ago.