A pall of gloom descended on the city as the mortal remains of CRPF constable H Guru arrived on Saturday morning, in a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The tri-coloured cortege with Guru’s mortal remains was received by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and his cabinet colleagues at the HAL Airport.
After a brief stopover at the airport to facilitate dignitaries to pay tributes, the body was taken to Guru’s native Gudigere in KM Doddi of Mandya district. All through the last journey, people stood on either side of the roads, to pay their respects to the brave soldier. Waving the tricolour and raising patriotic slogans, people stood all along the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. Kumaraswamy announced a financial aid of Rs 25 lakh to the family.
Holding massive demonstrations against Pakistan and urging the Centre to take retaliatory action against Pakistan, thousands of traders from Chickpet area on continued their peaceful demonstrations. The area, home to more than 25,000 wholesale shops selling a variety of consumables, wore a deserted look since morning. The traders voluntarily lowered shutters as a mark of respect.
Sajjan Raj Mehta, office-bearer of Chickpet Traders Association, said, “Usually, Saturday and Sunday are busy days and none of the traders misses the opportunity. However, regardless of the loss, they collectively chose to observe a bandh and pay tributes. Our only wish is that the government must strike back and teach the terror outfits operating from Pakistan a lesson.” The traders have also been pooling in funds for the families of the martyred soldiers.
Traders, in thousands, stood on either side of Mysuru Road, till Bidadi, as the truck carrying Guru's mortal remains reached there.
The truck had to stop almost at every junction to help onlookers garland the vehicle and salute to the jawans carrying the mortal remains.
