Anti-Pakistan sentiment runs high at Maninder’s funeral

Ravi Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service
Dinanagar (Gurdaspur), Feb 16

CRPF Sepoy Maninder Singh was cremated with full military honours at Dinanagar. Anti-Pakistan sentiment ran high among the thousands of mourners who bid adieu to the soldier.

The martyr’s body, wrapped in the Tricolour, was taken through the main roads of the city with more than 3,000 people raising slogans against Pakistan. Shops remained closed till noon.

The pyre was lit by Maninder’s elder brother Lakhwinder Singh who arrived early this morning from Shillong, where he is posted as a constable with the CRPF.

Union minister Vijay Sampla led the mourning. Cabinet minister Aruna Chaudhury was also present.

Cabinet minister and Dera Baba Nanak MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said he would organise a prayer meeting “to ensure the prayers of the community of letting the Kartarpur corridor see the light of the day do not go waste.”

He added, “Maninder’s sacrifice will not go in vain. I have written to the Union government to build a memorial in memory of the brave soldier.” 

BJP leader Kavita Khanna sent her condolences to Satpal Attri, father of Maninder.

Prominent among those who were present were DIG, CRPF, DL Gola, DIG (Border) AS Chahal, Pathankot MLA Amit Vij, Ashok Chaudhury, husband of Aruna Chaudhury, Deputy Commissioner Vipul Ujwal, SDM Sakattar Singh Bal, former MLAs Gurbachan Singh Babbehali and Sucha Singh Chottepur, senior BJP leader Swaran Singh Salaria and former Cabinet minister Master Mohan Lal.