Melkulangara, a tiny village popularly called Kulambu, near Perinthalmanna, bade a tearful farewell to the victims of Friday’s bus accident at Thelakkad, which had claimed 13 lives.
Eleven of the dead were buried at Melkulangara, while the funeral of two others took place at neighbouring villages on Saturday.
Hundreds poured into Melkulangara to pay their last respects to the accident victims from Friday evening.
The bodies of Mankadakkuzhiyil Mariyam, 50; Ponniyath Fatima, 37; Mangalakuzhiyil Sainaba,75; Kozhipatham Mubashira, 16; Madappodi Shamna, 16; Kappungal Thasni, 18; Fatimath Nadiya, 17; Adarikkal Safeela, 19; and Kavanayil Sabira, 17, were buried at the Rahmania Juma Masjid graveyard at Melkulangara.
Syed Basheerali Shihab Thangal led the Janaza prayer (last rites) for them, in which Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed, Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi Ali, K.T. Jaleel, MLA, former Central Haj Committee chairman Alikutty Musliar, and several other Muslim leaders took part. Irrespective of age, people sobbed as the bodies were lowered into the graves.
The bodies of Kavannayil Cheriyakkan, 55, and Cherukki, 49, were buried at the Kavanna Colony cemetery. The body of Pacheeri Neethu, 18, was cremated at Santhi Theeram, Shoranur. The body of bus driver Palliyalthodi Ithisham, 22, was buried at the Manathumangalam Juma Masjid graveyard.
All funerals witnessed huge turnouts of people.
Among those who paid tributes to the dead were former Ministers A.K. Balan and T.K. Hamza.
The condition of the four of the 30 injured continued to be critical on Saturday.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy visited the spot on Friday night, and assured all possible help for the families of the dead.
