The Hindu : National : Sharma cremated with full State honours

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Sharma cremated with full State honours

Devesh K. Pandey

Shivraj Patil, Jaiswal and Advani among those who attended funeral

NEW DELHI: The mortal remains of Mohan Chand Sharma, Inspector of the Delhi Police Special Cell, who was killed in an encounter with suspected terrorists at Batla House here on Friday, were consigned to flames with full State honours at Nigambodh Ghat here on Saturday.

A large number of people including political leaders, colleagues and family members attended the funeral.

After the post-mortem, Sharma’s body, wrapped in a Delhi police flag, was taken to his Dwarka Sector 4 residence in a flower-decked mini-truck. It was then taken to the crematorium amid shouting of slogans like “M.C. Sharma Amar Rahe” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” by his colleagues and friends.

Following a gun salute and playing of the “last post,” the funeral pyre was lit by his cousin. Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal, Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Tejender Khanna, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders L. K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and the former Delhi Police Commissioners M.B. Kaushal, T.R. Kakkar, Ajai Raj Sharma and K. K. Paul were present at the funeral.

Apart from Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal, senior police officers, batch-mates and colleagues of Inspector Sharma were at the cremation ground to bid him farewell.

“A brave officer”

Sharma’s seniors said he was a brave officer and used to lead all the operations from the front. An ever-smiling man, he kept his cool even in tense situations.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh said: “It is a great loss. Inspector Sharma worked under me for four-and-half years. He was very energetic and had a great analytical skill. His expertise on fieldwork was unparalleled. He developed a vague input received from the Gujarat police to a level where he was able to zero in on the terrorists.”

Homage

A large number of people, who did not know Inspector Sharma personally, also attended his funeral to pay homage to the person who sacrificed his life for their safety. Sharma had eliminated 35 terrorists during the counter-terror operations and was said to be the backbone of the Special Cell.

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