KALPETTA: A pall of gloom descended on Kunnathidavaka, Lakkidy, the native place of CRPF soldier V.V. Vasanthkumar, 42, who was among those killed in a terrorist attack at Pulwama, Kashmir, on Thursday.
The news of his martyrdom has shattered the family members, his friends and relatives as he had visited them and returned only on February 9 after a 10-day leave.
People from all walks of life have been making a beeline to his house since Thursday evening. His wife Sheena (temporary employee at Veterinary College, Pookkode), and children Anamika and Amardweep were inconsolable.
Son of the late Vazhakkandi Vasudevan and Santha, at Kunn-athidavaka, Lakkidy, 15 km from Kalpetta, Vasanth-kumar had joined the CRPF in 2001. He was earlier stationed in Punjab. After leave, he had moved to Jammu and Kashmir after his promotion as commandant. With 18 years of service in the Army, he was planning to retire after two years.
According to Sajeevan, cousin of Vasanthkumar, the reports about the ambush and his death had trickled in by Thursday evening. “We contacted his friends in the Army and others in Delhi. By 5 pm, confirmation came from the battalion,” he said. The official message came in the wee hours of Friday.
The district administration also informed them.
After formalities, the body has been shifted to New Delhi and it will be brought to Calicut airport at Karipur early on Saturday.
The body would be placed at the Government LP School, Lakkidy, to enable the people to pay their last respects. Later, it would be shifted to his home and the last rites would be held with state and military honours on the paternal home premises at Thrikkaipatta.
