Thodupuzha: The ashes of Congress leader P T Thomas was buried in the vault of his mother at a church cemetery at Upputhode in Idukki district on Monday evening, as per the wishes of the late Member of Legislative Assembly from Thrikkakkara.

A procession, christened P T Thomas smithi yatra, carrying the ashes started at 7 am from Thomas’s house at Palarivattom in Kochi.

Hundreds paid homage to the Congress leader. The burial ceremony was devoid of any rituals.  

Earlier, his family members had handed over the ashes to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president V P Sajeendran in the presence of Opposition Leader V D Satheesan.

The urn containing the ashes was carried on an open vehicle and facilities were arranged for the public to offer homage at various places along the route.

When the procession reached Neriyamangalam after covering Ernakulam district, the ashes were received by C P Mathew, president of the Idukki District Congress Committee.

At Upputhode, the ashes were handed over to relatives of Thomas at the chapel there. An awning was set up on the premises of the St Thomas Church, Upputhode, for the public to pay homage.  

The Vicar General of the Idukki diocese had instructed the family members to maintain the sanctity of the church and the cemetery while burying the ashes.

“Religious sentiments should not be hurt during the process and a devout silence has to be observed,” he had said.

Thomas passed away on December 22 a hospital in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. He was cremated as per his last wishes.