Shillong, Dec 2: The mortal remains of Indian Army personal and Havildar of 59th Field Regiment Hempiar R Marak, who was killed while on duty in Kashmir was brought to his home village of Salpara in Mendipather, North Garo Hills, for the last rites and hundreds of people from all around the region came to pay their last respects to this brave son of the soil who gave up his life in a distant land for the safety and protection of his motherland.
Havildar Hempiar R Marak was a member of the powerful big guns artillery field regiment and deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir facing hostile Pakistan on the other side. He died while on duty on November 28th.
As part of the army rituals which have always been a close bonding between the force and its personnel, a delegation of army officials accompanied the mortal remains of the havildar to his home at Salpara on Wednesday night.
Hundreds of villagers flocked to the venue where the body was lying in state to offer flowers and prayers.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was one of the first to offer his condolences and saluted the young soldier.
“My deepest condolences to the family of Havildar Hempiar R Marak who died while on duty in the LoC in Kashmir. He is being laid to rest at his native village in north Garo Hills district today. Salute him for his service to the nation,” tweeted the chief minister.
My deepest condolences to the family of Havildar Hempiar R Marak of @adgpi who died while on duty in the LoC in Kashmir. He is being laid to rest at his native village in North Garo Hills District today. Salute him for his service to the nation!@rajnathsingh @easterncomd pic.twitter.com/CWVNwjNWHC
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 2, 2021
On Thursday morning at 11 AM army personnel gave a Guard of Honour to their fallen comrade and carried the coffin of Late Hempiar Marak from the centre of the village to the cemetery where he was laid to rest in the presence of family members, neighbours, relatives and the people of the area.
Meghalaya government paid rich tributes to the fallen hero and deputed additional district SP B Kundu and magistrate P K Sangma to represent the state during the guard of honour and offer floral wreaths on the coffin holding the mortal remains of one of Garo Hills brave hearts.