Please do not open the coffin: CRPF's request to martyr Vasanthakumar's family

Wayanad: The cries of 'Amar Vasanthakumar Ki Jai’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ rented the air as CRPF personnel brought the mortal remains of the martyred soldier to his house in Lakkidi in the district on Saturday. Thousands gathered at his house to pay respects to Vasanthakumar who was killed in the Pulwama terror attack on Thursday evening.

Vasanthakumar was cremated at his ancestral house after ceremonies at Kuruma Colony in Thrukaipatta, Mukkamkunnu.

Touching scenes

The scene at the house was heart-rending. Some of his colleagues could be seen struggling to control their emotions. The body was moved to the Government LP School after half an hour, where it was kept for an additional 90 minutes as more people flowed in to pay homage.

His wife Sheena paid her last respects after being carried to the coffin by relatives. Vasanthakumar's mother Santha too fainted several time during the funeral.

Vasanthakumar's daughter Anamika looked glum all day as men in uniform visited the house. She kept brother Amardeep close to her. Wails of mother Shantha could be heard inside as she recounted memories of her son. Relatives struggled to keep her calm.

Kannanthanam faces social media ire for his selfie with Pulwama martyr's coffin — Vasanthakumar's body was cremated with full state honours at his native village in Wayanad on Saturday.

Shantha had developed pain in her legs recently. Despite Vasanthakumar’s insistence to go to a doctor, she had left it for the next time her son came on leave.

Tough task

Senior CRPF officials had reached Vasanthakumar's house on Saturday. Assistant Commandant Alex George was introduced to Anamika and Amardeep by half-brother Sajeevan. Officer George came with a difficult task. He met family members and took Sajeevan away a few feet. He conveyed the information with much difficulty:

“The coffin cannot be opened. Please ask all relatives not to insist on it,” George requested.

Sajeevan walked back to family members without saying anything. A mild sob rose as he conveyed the officer’s message.

Vasanthakumar was among the 40 CRPF personnel who were killed in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.