Chhattisgarh bids adieu to police officer killed in IED blast; 7-year-old son lights pyre
The mortal remains of Chhattisgarh Police's Additional Superintendent Akash Rao Girepunje were consigned to flames in Raipur on Tuesday, a day after the senior police officer was killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Sukma.
Family members and friends, who had gathered to bid adieu to Girepunje at the Mahadev Ghat Muktidham here, described him as a brave officer who would be remembered for his valour.
The slain police officer's younger brother Adrash along with the former's seven-year-old son lit the funeral pyre. Among those present was State's Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma.
Police personnel accorded a guard of honour to the deceased police officer at the crematorium.
Earlier, the wreath laying ceremony was held at the headquarters of the 4th battalion of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) in Mana area, which was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Sharma and Arun Sao, State Assembly Speaker Raman Singh, Ministers and senior police officers.
'Cowardly act'
Describing Girepunje as a brave and committed officer, Mr. Sai told journalists that the Naxalites had committed the cowardly act out of frustration as the end of Maoism was near. He also lent his shoulders to Girepunje's mortal remains while they were being put in a flower-decked mini-truck at the CAF premises, as did his deputies and Mr. Singh.
Girepunje was killed and two more officers were injured when an IED, allegedly planted by the Maoists, exploded near Dondra village on Konta-Errabor road in Sukma.
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