BSF soldier laid down to rest

From

Hassan, August 30, DHNS:

A pall of gloom descended on Karigowdana Koppal on Monday as the mortal remains of Border Security Force soldier K P Lokesh who was found dead with bullet injuries in Kura of Jammu District, was brought to his native on Monday.

Hundreds of people were seen waiting in front of Lokesh’s house. The body was brought in a decorated vehicle from Hassan. As a mark of respect, jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF) and District Police fired three rounds into the air. Later, the national flag draped on the coffin carrying the body of Lokesh was folded and handed over to his father Puttegowda,  by BSF sub-inspector. The body was later cremated. The BSF sub-inspector said that an investigation has been launched to find out the cause of Lokesh’s death. The BSF authorities have not taken decision regarding payment of compensation and it would be decided soon. Rajesh, a colleague of Lokesh, a resident of Shravanbelagola Taluk, accompanied the body till the village.  He said that among the one thousand jawans in their battalion, only four were from Karnataka. Among them Lokesh was my closest friend, bemoaned Rajesh. Circle Inspector Girijesh, Sub-inspector Hemanth Kumar, Somashekar and other police officers were present. However, the local MLA and other leaders were not seen at Karigowdanakoppal. Homage A few leaders paid their respects when Lokesh’s body was kept in front of the Deputy Commissioners’ Office. Superintendent of Police Sharatchandra, MLC Patel Shivaram, former Rajya Sabha member Javaregowda, City Municipal Council president Rangaswamy and other CMC members paid their last respects. BJP members’ M R Ravi and Amit Shetty were present. Earlier, the body was brought to the deputy commissioner’s office in a vehicle belonging to the Border Security Force. Hundreds of people paid their final respects to the body placed in front of the DC’s office. Freedom fighter Shivanna, deputy commissioner Naveenraj Singh, assistant commissioner Karigowda, additional deputy commissioner Subramanya, and others placed wreath on the coffin. Several school  children on their way to school too saluted the martyr. At around 8.30 pm BSF jawans placed the body in a decorated lorry. Lokesh’s father Puttegowda and other relatives were seated atop the lorry.  Later, the body was taken to Karigowdana Koppal and the body was cremated in the field belongs to the family.