Rajgangpur/Sundargarh: The body of CRPF jawan Pradeep Panda, who attained martyrdom during a gun battle with terrorists at Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir, reached his native village Liploi under this police limits in Sundargarh district Wednesday morning.
Pradeep’s body was flown from the CRPF centre to New Delhi and then to Bhubaneswar airport where he was given a guard of honour. Later, the body was taken to his village where the last rites were performed with full state honour.
Pradeep’s body was taken to Rajgangpur stadium amidst a sea of people who thronged the place to pay homage to the brave soldier.
In the presence of Sundargarh Collector Vineet Bhardwaj, SP Pinak Mishra, Sambalpur CRPF DG Birendra Kumar Sharma, Assistant Commandant Arabind Mahapatra, Commander Gokul Kumar Gupta and Rourkela MLA Dilip Ray, the CRPF personnel gave a gun salute to Pradeep in the stadium.
Later, the body was taken in a huge rally to his native village as the crowd chanted slogans. In their bid to pay respects to the martyr, traders and business establishments remained closed for the day.
A cloud of gloom descended over the village as the last rites of the brave soldier were performed. Pradeep was supposed to be honoured with the PMG award from the President January 26, family members said.
Born to Pitambhar Panda, a worker at OCL, Pradeep had reached heights due to his commitment and hard work. He is survived by his wife who is three-month pregnant and a three-year-old son.
Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his condolences and announced a solatium of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2000 pension to the kin of the martyr. PNN
