Pahalgam terror attack: Manjunath Rao’s last rites in Shivamogga today

Shivamogga: The last rites of Manjunath Rao, the realtor who was killed in the terror attack, are expected to be held here on Thursday.

Deputy commissioner Gurudatta Hegde told DH that Rao’s family members, including wife Pallavi and son Abhijaya, were expected to reach Bengaluru from Srinagar by air in the wee hours of Thursday.

“Transport arrangements have been made so that they can come to Shivamogga with the mortal remains of Manjunath by road. They are expected to reach here around 8 am. Arrangements have been made for the funeral ceremony at the Rotary crematorium at Vidyanagar.”

Labour Minister Santosh Lad, who has gone to Kashmir, met Pallavi and Abhijaya and instilled courage in them. He helped in bringing back Rao’s mortal remains from Srinagar.

Owners of business establishments in the city have decided to close down their shops for half a day from 10 am on Thursday as a mark of respect to the departed soul. They will resume functioning after Rao’s funeral, said Shivamogga city MLA S N Channabasappa.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi is expected to attend the funeral, BJP sources said.