Freedom fighter and CPI leader Comrade Jai Singh no more

Moga, Sep 30 (UNI) Veteran freedom fighter and CPI leader Comrade Jai Singh died last night at his native village Daudhar in this district of Punjab.

Daudhar, who was 98, was not suffering from any serious ailment and passed away last night due to old age, family sources said.

He was cremated at his native village with full state honour and the police contingent paid last respects by reversing their arms.

The DSP (Rural) and Naib Tehsildar Badhni Kalan Beant Singh were present as representatives of police and civil administration.

Several hundred people including a large number of freedom fighters of various political parties including former MP Jagjit Singh Anand state CPI secretary Jagroop Singh district CPI secretary Randhir Gill and a large number of Sarpanches and Panches were among those who participated in the funeral of Comrade Jai Singh.

Comrade Jai Singh had participated in almost every freedom movement, including ''Quit India'', despute having joined CPI in 1940.

He was the moving spirit behind organising first-ever CPI Kisan Sabha conferences in Dudhar village in 1937 followed by holding of united Punjab's state-level Kisan Sabha conference in Fatehgarh Korotana village near Moga in 1940.

He also kept his pledge to hoist the national flag every year at his residence since 26 January, 1930. He actively participated in almost every CPI-sponsored farmers' movement including Harsa Chhina Morcha, 1958-59 betterment levy tax movement.

His elder daugther Nirmaljit Kaur, who retired as a school principal also remained active member of the Indian Peoples' Theatre Association (IPTA) since 1936.

Punjab State Freedom Fighter association held a condolence meeting at Freedom Fighers Bhawan here, presided over by its state president Capt Ranjit Singh, where rich tributes were paid to comrade Jai Singh.

UNI XC JN VD KP1955