Bhikhiwind: The body of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian national, who passes away in Lahore hospital after being beaten in Pakistan’s Kot Lakhpat jail, was consigned to flames at his native village in Punjab today.
His sister Dalbir Kaur lit the pyre as thousands of people gathered to pay their last respects to the man, a condemned terrorist in Pakistan and a martyr in India who was given a state funeral.
His last rites were performed with full state honours.
The village with a population of around 11,000 and located about 36 kms from Amritsar, is in a state of mourning since yesterday with residents and gathered near the cremation ground.
Apart from Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, an MP from Patiala, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his deputy Sukhbir Badal and a number of leaders attended the last rites of Sarabjit.
Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur, earlier a picture of strength, appeared completely shattered.
Rahul Gandhi, who had met Dalbir Kaur in New Delhi yesterday, walked up to the cremation ground and placed a wreath on the coffin. He stood next to the coffin for a while with other leaders.
Large posses of police personnel were deployed.
The Punjab government has announced a three-day state mourning for Sarabjit.
The body, placed in a wooden coffin and draped in the tri-colour, was brought for its final journey to his native town past midnight.
His family and friends wailed as the body was brought to his house, marking the end of his journey of torture and despair, that lasted nearly 23 years.
source .....News Buletin .in
