Family and friends bid adieu to Manoj Behera

CUTTACK: Thousands of people bid adieu to 32-year-old CRPF jawan Manoj Behera, who was martyred in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district in a terror attack on Thursday. His last rites were performed with full state honours at his native Ratanpur village under Niali block of Cuttack district on Saturday evening. People lined both sides of the road as his body was taken to the cremation ground.
There were heart-rending scenes at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar when the mortal remains of CRPF personnel Manoj and Prasanna Sahoo arrived. Thousands lined the roads and took part in the last journey of CRPF jawan Manoj as his body was taken to his village by road. A guard of honour was given by CRPF personnel.
The pyre was lit by his brother-in-law Debasish Behera at the Chandramauli cremation ground. CRPF officials, health minister Pratap Jena, Cuttack-Choudwar MLA Prabhat Biswal and district collector Arbind Agarwal were among those who were present at the last rites.
People stood on both sides of the roads with flowers, holding the national flag to receive Manoj’s body. Several rallies were organised near Ratanpur village with youngsters holding photos of Manoj, shouting slogans of “Manoj Behera amar rahe” and demanding strong action against terrorists and Pakistan. Local shops and establishments in the village kept their shutters down as a mark of respect to Manoj.