Jawan Mahesh Gurung’s body being taken for cremation in Dehradun. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 25

The brave son of Uttarakhand, who died fighting infiltrators in Chandel district of Manipur on May 22, was cremated with full military honours in Haridwar today. Public representatives and top brass of the Army paid floral tribute to martyr Havaldar Mahesh Gurung before he was consigned to flames.A pall of gloom descended on the city when the body of Gurung was brought to his residence, Daudwala, Dehradun. Relatives and neighbours consoled the bereaved family members. Locals and neighbours waited for hours to pay tributes to the martyr, whose body was draped in the Tricolour. Gurung’s father, mother, wife and other relatives were inconsolable during the cremation ceremony.Amid chanting of slogans like “Gurung Amar Rahe”, and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, Gurung’s body was taken to the Sati Ghat in Haridwar. Ayush, the 13-year-old son of Gurung, performed the last rites. Despite Ayush was inconsolable, he decided to follow the footprints of his father. Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Cabinet Minister Dinesh Agarwal and Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi were present at the cremation ground.