Suryapet: Arrangements made for Colonel Santhosh's final rites

Suryapet: The district administration and Army officials are making all necessary arrangements for conducting the last rites of Colonel Santhosh Babu, who got martyrdom in a clash with Chinese troops at Ladakh, at his agriculture land in Kesaram village of Suraypet mandal on Thursday morning.

Speaking to the media, District Collector Vinay Krishna Reddy said the last rites of Colonel Santhosh Babu will be performed officially by Army and the government as per Covid-19 norms.

He informed that army majors and top officials will participate in the final procession of Santhosh Babu.

District SP Bhaskaran informed that sufficient police force was deployed in view of the last rites of Colonel Santosh Babu at his residence in the town and at the cremation venue in Kesaram village. He asked people to maintain social distance and discipline at Santosh's residence and cremation site.

Several people and VIPS visited Santosh Babu's residence in Suryapet and expressed their deep condolences to his parents Manjula and Upender. People across the erstwhile Nalgonda district conducted candle rallies to pay homage and tributes to the Martyr Santhosh Babu. At some places, ABVP representatives burnt effigy of China.

Uttam meets Col Santhosh family members

TPCC President and MP Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy visited the residence of late Colonel Santhosh Babu in Suryapet on Wednesday and offered condolences.

Accompanied with former MLA Padmavathi Reddy, former minister Damodar Reddy, DCC President Venkanna Yadav and others, Uttam Kumar Reddy spent about an hour with the parents and family members of Col Santhosh Babu.

He also handed over the condolence letters of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and ex-president Rahul Gandhi.

The TPCC Chief offered all help and support to the family in the years to come. "Consider us as your family members and we will always be there for you," Uttam told Col Santhosh Babu's parents B Upender and Manjula.

Later speaking to media persons, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Col Santhosh Babu gave the supreme sacrifice for the motherland and achieved martyrdom during a violent clash with Chinese Army at Galwan Valley. He said 19 other brave heart soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country and the entire country would remember their services and sacrifice forever. He assured that the Congress would provide whatever help the family might need at any point of time.

The TPCC Chief, along with other Congress leaders will attend the funeral of Col Santhosh Babu in Suryapet on Thursday.