Hundreds pay homage to martyred soldier Manjunath Jakkannavar

DHARWAD: Manjunath Jakkannavar (31), who was martyred in a gun battle with naxals at Gadachuralli district in Maharashtra, was laid to rest at his native village Mangundi in Dharwad on Tuesday evening.
Jakkannavar was serving at Gyarapati village in Gadachuralli district on Maharashtra border and was wounded by gunshots on Sunday night.

He was admitted to a hospital in the night, but breathed his last in the night. His mortal remains were brought to R N Shetty stadium on Tuesday morning and was kept for public to pay homage.

He is survived by his wife and two children. Top district officials, relatives of the deceased solider, school and college students and villagers paid their last respects to the soldier. Slogans like

“Manjunath Amar Rahe” echoed during the funeral procession. Minister Santosh Lad and Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi attended the funeral and assured help to the family.

A school at Mansur paid homage to him by writing his name with rangoli powder and flowers. The schools at Mangundi village was given holiday and the youth from the nearby villages took out bike rallies during the procession.

Gram Panchayat vice-president Yellappa Y S said: “He was the son of Mangundi village. After celebrating Diwali recently, he met us and said he will come back after three months. Now, he came back to the village wrapped in tricolour.”

What happened?

A senior officer from the CRPF said Manjunath was a brave solider. Two soldiers, who hail from Uttar Pradesh, are also badly injured in the ambush. The naxal combing is a regular duty in parts of Maharashtra, where Manjunath was posted.

CM announces B25 lakh

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to family members of Jakkannavar. He tweeted his condolence on Tuesday and announced the compensation. Deputy Commissioner S B Bommanahalli said the administration will extend all support to the family.