Hamirpur: INS Ranvir blast victim Naval officer cremated with state honours

Hamirpur, January 21

Surender Kumar, Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) of the Navy, was cremated with Army and state honours at his native village Sathwin in Barsar subdivision near here today. The 44-year-old MCPO was posted on a ship that was on routine costal trip from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai and was docked at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard. He was reportedly killed in a blast that occurred in the internal compartment of INS Ranvir at Mumbai Naval Dockyard on January 18.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Union Minister Anurag Thakur, former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, and leaders of all political parties, social and religious organisations have mourned his demise and sent condolences to the bereaved family.

Hundreds of people gathered to pay tribute to Surender Kumar today. A gun salute was accorded by Navy and Himachal Police personnel. Surender’s nephew lit the pyre amid slogans of ‘Surendra Kumar Amar Rahe’.

DC Debashweta Banik said the MCPO was cremated as per protocol. The family would be given all required help by the administration, she added. Hamirpur Additional Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Sanjta, Barsar sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Shashi Pal Sharma, local MLA ID Lakhanpal, former MLA Baldev Sharma and a number of local officers were present.

The officer is survived by his wife Neelam Kumari and daughters Vishakha (17) and Gunjan (14). The family had recently moved to Visakhapatnam. The explosion on the INS Ranvir, a destroyer ship, had killed three personnel and left 11 injured.

(with inputs from PTI)