National: The final farewell was given today to N Ramachandran, the 62-year-old Kerala native who tragically lost his life in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. His body was respectfully laid to rest with full state honors, a testament to the deep sorrow felt across the state following the horrific incident that claimed 26 lives.
Earlier in the day, Ramachandran’s mortal remains arrived in Kochi, where a large number of people gathered at Changampuzha Park to pay their final respects. The Kerala government had issued a formal directive to the Kochi City Police, ensuring that the cremation would be conducted with the full ceremonial respect befitting the loss.
The official statement released by the government conveyed their profound grief at Ramachandran’s demise and affirmed the arrangements for a funeral held with complete state honors at Shanthikavadam, Edapally. The outpouring of support highlighted the collective mourning and solidarity with the bereaved family.
The horrifying details of Ramachandran’s final moments were recounted by his children, who were present during the brutal assault. His son, Aravind, chillingly described how the terrorist demanded his father recite the ‘kalma’, and upon his inability to do so, instantly shot him in the head.
Ramachandran was on a family vacation in the picturesque valley with his wife, daughter Arathi, and her eight-year-old twin sons when tragedy struck. Arathi vividly recalled the eruption of panic as gunfire shattered the peace. She recounted asking her father about the strange sound, only for them to witness an armed man approach and demand they recite the ‘kalma’. Her father’s inability to understand the demand led to the fatal shot.
In a desperate attempt to protect her father, Arathi instinctively tried to shield his body, unaware that he had already succumbed to the fatal wound. Amidst the chaos and terror, the family managed to escape through the dense forest terrain, eventually finding safety at a nearby resort where they were secured by the Army.
The attack on tourists in Baisaran, a popular destination in Kashmir, has been met with widespread condemnation from across the nation. The incident, claimed by terror groups operating in the region, resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including a Nepali national, and left several others injured. The tragedy has ignited nationwide protests, with demands for stronger action against Pakistan.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his profound sadness over the tragic loss of Ramachandran. He directed NORKA Roots, the state agency for the welfare of non-resident Keralites, to establish a dedicated help desk to support Malayalis in Jammu and Kashmir during this difficult time. In a statement from his office, the Chief Minister emphasized that this attack was not merely an assault on individuals but an attack on the very principles of peace and safety within the nation.
In the wake of the tragedy, prominent political figures, including Opposition Leader VD Satheesan and BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar, visited the Ramachandran household on Thursday to offer their heartfelt condolences to the grieving family. The outpouring of grief and support underscores the deep impact of this senseless act of violence on the state and its people.
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