Freedom fighter cremated

Our Correspondent

Kangra, June 26

The mortal remains of 95-year-old freedom fighter Susheel Chand Rattan were consigned to flames with state honours at Jwalamukhi today.

People from all walks of life, including political leaders and government officials, paid floral tributes to the departed leader.

Susheel Chand Rattan, who had served as the vice-chairman of the Freedom Fighter Kalyan Board and the Khadi Board, breathed his last at the PGI, Chandigarh, on Monday evening, where he had been under treatment for some time. He is survived by two sons and three daughters.

The body was brought to his native village at Jwalamukhi yesterday and the last rites were performed today.

BJP MLA from Jwalamukhi Ramesh Dhawala paid tribute to the freedom fighter. Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Rakesh Prajapat laid a wreath on the body on behalf of Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Chief Secretary BK Agrawal.

Additional SP, Kangra, Dinesh Kumar laid a wreath on behalf of the Director General of Police. SDM Rakesh Sharma was also present.

Police personnel presented a guard of honour when his son Manoj Rattan lit the pyre.

Among others who paid tributes to the departed leader were state Congress president Kuldeep Singh Rathore, MLAs Pawan Kajal and Ashish Butail, former minister Sudhir Sharma, former MLAs Ajay Mahajan and Goma and Congress general secretary Kewal Singh Pathania.