Suryapet: Thousands gather to pay last respects to Colonel Santosh Babu

Thousands gathered at Colonel Santosh Babu's residence in Vidyanagar in Suryapet to pay last respects to the martyr who lost his life in a fight with Chinese troops in Ladakh on Monday night. His mortal remains were brought to his native place on Wednesday evening.

Besides the top brass of the army, police, political personalities have also turned up at colonel's residence to catch a last glimpse of the martyr. People were seen raising slogans hailing Santosh Babu and the Indian army when the body was being taken to the family's agriculture farm where the last rites will be held.

The funeral procession to the farm near Kesaram village was held with full military honours. The mourners were seen wearing masks and maintaining social distance. All the arrangements were made for the last rites.

A pall of gloom surrounded Suryapet with the sudden and untimely death of Colonel Santosh Babu. Traders and business owners have called for a bandh in Suryapet.