Mortal remains of Kerala man killed in Pahalgam terrorist attack brought to Kochi, funeral on Friday

Kochi: The mortal remains of Edappally native N Ramachandran, who was killed by terrorists in Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday, were brought to his home town on Wednesday night. Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad and Ernakulam District Collector NSK Umesh received the body at Cochin International Airport by 8 pm even as close relatives and political leaders gathered there to pay homage to the deceased.

Ramachandran (65) of Mangad Neeranjanam, Edappally, was gunned down by terrorists, along with 25 other tourists, when he was on holiday in Kashmir with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren. 

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Tourism Suresh Gopi, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly V D Satheesan, BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Lok Sabha MP Hibi Eden were among those who arrived at the airport to receive the body. The crowd 

The body was shifted to the mortuary of a private hospital near Ramachandran’s home. Both the airport and Ramachandran’s hometown witnessed emotional moments as the survivors of the deadly terror attack returned home. 

The small crowd gathered at the airport raised slogans against terrorism. Ramachandran's wife, daughter and grandchildren had accompanied the body while his son who came from Bengaluru joined them at the airport. Sources said the family had managed to keep the news of Ramachandran’s death from his wife Sheela until she reached home. 

The mortal remains will be kept for public homage at Changampuzha Park on Friday from 7.30 am to 9.30 am. Final rituals will be held at his home after that. The cremation will be held in Edappally at 11 am, an official communication said.