Ex-Cabinet Minister Inderjit Singh Zira dies

Ferozepur, May 12

Senior Congress leader and former Cabinet Minister Inderjit Singh Zira (63), died here today, following prolonged illness. He was cremated with full state honours at his native village, Basti Buta Wali, in Zira, around 35 km from the district headquarters. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Kulbir Singh Zira, sitting MLA from Zira, and Inderjit, a veteran politician of the region.

His mortal remains were consigned to flames in the presence of Cabinet ministers Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria. Several MLAs, including Parminder Singh Pinki, Davinder Singh Ghubaya and Dr Harjot Kamal were also present. A contingent drawn from the Punjab Police fired several shots into the air as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Hardial Singh Mann, DIG, Gurpal Singh Chahal, DC, and Amit Gupta, SDM, were also present.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh condoled with the bereaved family. As per the information, Inderjit was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mohali, but he could not survive.

Inderjit was two-time MLA from Zira. He was a close aide of Akali stalwart Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, but he had resigned from the Cabinet in 1999. — OC