The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Major Vinay Kumar laid to rest with full military honours

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 06, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Major Vinay Kumar laid to rest with full military honours

Staff Reporter

He fell to bullets fighting terrorists in Baramulla

Photo G. Krishnaswamy

SOLEMN OCCASION: Major K. P. Vinay Kumar’s coffin being carried to the Amberpet crematorium on Friday.

HYDERABAD: Amidst slogans hailing the martyrdom of Major K. P. Vinay Kumar in an emotionally surcharged atmosphere, the Army officer, killed in a gunfight with separatist militants in Kashmir, was laid to rest with full military honours at the Amberpet crematorium here on Friday.

Major Vinay Kumar of 34 Rashtriya Rifles, posted in Baramulla district of Kashmir was leading an anti-terrorist operation, when he fell to a hail of bullets, along with another Major three days ago. Hundreds of people, his family members, friends, Government officials, military officers joined the cortege which started from his house in Bhavani Colony near Rajendranagar in the morning. As a military vehicle carried the mortal remains of the slain officer, youngsters riding motorcycles carried the tri-colour ahead of the convoy.

Ministers G. Chinna Reddy and P. Sabitha Indra Reddy and former Mayor T. Krishna Reddy were among the politicians who paid tributes to Major Vinay Kumar. Officers of the Artillery Centre at Golconda placed wreaths on the coffin which was draped in tri-colour.

Family members of the Army officer, who remained composed since they learnt about his death three days ago, broke down when the body was placed on the crematorium platform for religious ritual. His mother Jayashree was inconsolable. The Army platoon which reversed the arms in memory of the officer fired three shots in air as a mark of respect.

Plea for statue

Responding to a representation from the locals that a statue of the Major be installed at Bhavani Colony, the Ministers assured that they would speak to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and ensure their request was fulfilled.

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