Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asked External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to provide assistance for performing the last rites of the Indian men abducted and killed by the IS in Iraq and grant ex gratia to the kin.
The Chief Minister, who wrote to Ms. Swaraj on the issue, asked her on the phone to ensure that no efforts were spared by the Centre to bring back the mortal remains of the deceased to India for the last rites.
“Ms. Sushma assured the Chief Minister that the Indian government was making arrangements to bring the last remains in coffins, with due respect,” said an official statement from the Chief Minister’s office.
It added that Punjab government would make arrangements for the coffins to be delivered to the families.
Capt. Amarinder told presspersons that the deaths should have been confirmed by the Centre immediately after the lone survivor had revealed the facts about the remaining hostages.
Capt. Amarinder also informed the Punjab Assembly of Ms. Swaraj’s statement in Parliament and requested the Chair to include the victims’ names on the obituary list.
The House then paid homage to the victims.
