Khandu’s body flown to Itanagar for people to pay last respects

The body of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Saturday, was flown to state capital Itanagar this afternoon.

An Mi17 chopper of the Indian Air Force (IAF) flew in the mortal remains of the late chief minister from Tawang to Itanagar. The chopper reached the capital city at about 1315 hrs.

Members of Khandu’s family and several top politicians of the state, including Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjay, arrived here with the body.

The IAF chopper landed at the helipad in the Raj Bhawan campus of the capital.

Governor J J Singh paid his last respects to the late chief minister at the helipad.

The body was then taken to the chief minister’s official residence in a flower-decked open vehicle as people lined up the streets to catch a last glimpse of their beloved leader.

The body will lie in state at his official residence till tomorrow, before being flown back to Tawang for cremation at Khandu’s native village there as per Buddhist rituals.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi were expected to fly to Itanagar to pay their last respects.

Earlier today, Khandu’s body was flown to Tawang early in the morning by an IAF chopper after it was transferred to Luguthang helipad by the ground search parties.

NNN