The body of L. Perumal (31), one of the CRPF jawans killed in a fidayeen attack in Srinagar on Wednesday, was brought to the Chennai Airport on Thursday.
Perumal hailed from Thumbanayakkanpatti, about 53 km from Madurai. The jawan belonged to the 2010 batch of the Central Reserve Police Force and was attached to the 73rd Battalion.
Till a couple of days ago, Perumal’s parents, Lingam, an auto driver, and Krishnammal, were eagerly awaiting their son’s arrival as he was expected to come on long leave in April. They planned to get him married in May.
R. Babu (31), Perumal’s colleague, received the body at Chennai airport late on Thursday. By midnight, the body was taken in a CRPF vehicle to Thumbanayakkanpatti, escorted by Om Prakash Tokas, local commandant, CRPF, and Mr. Babu.
A number of persons, including politicians, thronged the airport to pay respects after the body was brought by an Air India flight around 11 p.m.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa condoled the death of the CRPF jawan and announced Rs. 5 lakh as solatium to his family members.
She directed co-operative minister Sellur K. Raju and the Madurai district collector to console the family and pay their last respects by placing a wreath.