AMN /
The body of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad was laid to rest with full state honours, at his native village of Betadur in Dharwad district of Karnataka today.Full throated chants of ‘Hanumanthappa amar rahe’ and patriotic slogans rent the air as thousands of people bid an emotional farewell to the Siachen braveheart.
Earlier, the body of the 33-year-old soldier,who epitomised grit and determination , was brought to Hubballi (Hubli) last night from Delhi where he breathed his last after a valiant battle for life. The body was brought to Betadur village in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district in a procession in its final journey.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Minister Ananth Kumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara, several state ministers and leaders of political parties paid their last respects. The Chief Minister had yesterday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the bereaved family.
He had also announced a site, land and job for Hanamanthappa’s wife and a memorial for the brave heart. Karnataka government has said that similar compensation will be given to two other soldiers from the state- Mahesh from Mysuru, Nagesh from Hassan who have died in the Siachen tragedy.