Darbara Singh cremated with state honours

JALANDHAR, May 25: Rajasthan Governor Darbara Singh, who died in a New Delhi hospital yesterday, was cremated with full state honours at his...

JALANDHAR, May 25: Rajasthan Governor Darbara Singh, who died in a New Delhi hospital yesterday, was cremated with full state honours at his native Malsian town in this district this evening.

As army personnel fired a volley of shots into the air amidst sounding of the last post by the Army buglers, six sons-in-law of the deceased, including Indian hockey team’s former captain Pargat Singh, lit the pyre.

Punjab Governor Lt General (retd) B.K.N. Chhibber, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Union Minister of State for Industry Sukhbir Singh Badal, besides, several members of the Punjab cabinet, including local bodies minister Balram Das Tandon of the BJP paid homage to Darbara Singh, who died in AIIMS at New Delhi after cardiac arrest. Earlier, the Rajasthan CM flew from Delhi to Adampur airbase with the body of the Governor. From Adampur, the body was flown in an Army helicopter to Malsian where it was kept for the “darshan” of the people who thronged in large numbers to pay homage to the departed leader.

Story continues below this ad

The body was the taken in a gun carriage to the family’s cremation ground, located about 500 meters away from the residence of Darbara Singh. The route was lined by Army personnel with reversed arms as a mark of respect.

City Mayor Suresh Sehgal, veteran Congress leader Darshan Singh Choudhary and former Congress MP Iqbal Singh besides Manjinder Singh Choudhary, who represented DCC( rural), and Punjab Police Chief P.C. Dogra also attended the funeral.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal today expressed grief and sorrow at the sudden and untimely demise of Rajasthan Governor Darbara Singh.

Atwal described him as a renowned parliamentarian and a prominent freedom fighter who took active part in Quit India movement. His contribution as a Governor, Member of Parliament, member of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Minister and Speaker of Punjab Assembly will ever be remembered for all times to come.

Story continues below this ad

Others who mourned the death of the Governor included Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee president Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former Speaker Vidhan Sabha Harnamdas Johar, and various Punjab government ministers.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India5 hr ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

View all shorts

Live Blog