Indian seafarer’s mortal remains reach home eight days after US strike

Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS

Eight days after Indian seafarer Shiv Anand Chaurasia, a resident of Surauli village in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district, was killed in a US military strike on the merchant vessel MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman, his mortal remains reached his ancestral village on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of mourners to his home.

The body was flown to Gorakhpur and later transported to the village by ambulance. However, family members initially refused to allow the body to be taken out of the ambulance, demanding government assistance and recognition for the deceased.

In a memorandum submitted to the District Magistrate by Shiv Anand’s father, Ramji Chaurasia, the family sought a government job for his wife, financial assistance of Rs 1 crore each from the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government, free education up to Class 12 for his two children, and martyr status for Shiv Anand.

Following the family’s protest, District Magistrate Madhusudan Hulgi and the Superintendent of Police reached the spot and assured them that their demands would be forwarded to the state government.

Hulgi said the administration shared the family’s grief and had met Shiv Anand’s wife and children. He said the family had raised several issues, including financial assistance and employment, and that a written request would be sent to the government for consideration.

According to officials, a post-mortem examination will be conducted on Thursday morning at the family’s request, following which the last rites will be performed.

Samajwadi Party MP from Salempur, Ramashankar Rajbhar, who visited the bereaved family, demanded Rs 1 crore compensation, a government job for a family member and a funeral with military honours. He said the issue would be raised in Parliament and added that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav would extend all possible support to the family.

BJP MLA Surendra Chaurasia also met the family and said he stood with them during the difficult time.

– Ends

With inputs from Ram Pratap Singh

SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA