Body of Naik Rajat cremated with honours

While State Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel paid his floral tributes to the first martyr of tribal Gujarat at Santrampur, Deputy Civil Supplies Minister Jaswant Babhor accompanied the funeral procession from Santrampur to this sleepy village.

Besides two truckful of Army personnel and officers, Cols. J S Verma and R K Gohil were present at the Last Post and Guard of Honour prior to the funeral at Santrampur. The tribals also set off firecrackers throughout the day-long function.

Virtually a sea of humanity could be seen at all the villages, towns and suburbs, especially Halol, Kalol and Godhra, enroute Santrampur.

Some raised their hands to salute the brave soldier8217;s sacrifice others bowed, folded hands or shouted slogans for the country.

Santrampur as well as this small tribal hamlet were jampacked with people coming from all around the two districts throughout the day.

Despite the scorching sun, more than 10,000 gathered at Pratap Pura Ground at Santrampur since early morning though they knew that Rajat8217;s body would reach only later in the day.

Santrampur taluka has as many as 41 soldiers fighting at the front and the tribals said more were ready to go. quot;Aa amra badha na garav ni vaat chhe. Desh mate marvanu badha na nasib ma nathi hotu it8217;s a matter of pride for all of us, for, to die for the nation is a rare opportunity for brave,8221; said Raiji Bhil of Samiala village.

Incidentally, this was probably the first time that the taluka witnessed such a galaxy of political bigwigs together. Besides the CM, Opposition leader in Assembly Amarsinh Chaudhary, Congress MPs from Godhra and Dahod districts namely Shanti Patel and Somji Damor were also present, besides BJP RS MP Gopalsinh Solanki.

Keshubhai Patel told Express Newsline that the State Government had come out with a plan for martyrs from Gujarat. Announcing immediate release of a Rs 1 lakh cheque to kin of Rajat, he said all the martyrs would be given Rs 5 lakh, a piece of land, a job in a Government department and free education to kin upto graduation-level.

quot;I have also decided to give Rs 50,000 for a monument and as much for its maintenance annuallyquot;, he said.

He and other leaders also talked to Rajat8217;s father Raoji, wife Kailashben and the three children Shailesh. Rajat who had left for the front only last month was to retire in November.