VP Singh laid to rest with full state honours

Allahabad, Nov 29 (UNI) The mortal remains of former Prime Minister V P Singh were confined to flames with full state honours at the Sangam here this evening.

Teary-eyed people gathered in large numbers to have a last glimpse of their leader during his final journey. The body, draped in the Indian tri-colour and placed in a flower-decked vehicle of the Indian Army, started from his residence at 'Raja Manda Kothi' at 0900 hrs.

The procession traversed through Indira Gandhi crossing, Coffee house, Subodh crossing, P D Tondon Park, Kamla Nehru road, Manmohan Park, University road, Anand Bhavan, Balson crossing, Fort road and then reached Sangam.

A guard of honour was presented by the two regiments of the Indian Army and later a three volley salute. The Bihar regiment of the Army played the funeral music.

Vedic hymns were chanted by Pandit Anjani Kumar. Kedar Baba and Trilokinath performed the cremation. The pyre was lit by Singh's elder son, Ajeya Singh.

People paid tributes to the departed leader with slogans like 'VP Singh amar rahen' (Long live V P Singh), 'jab tak suraj chand rahega, V P tera naam rahega' (V P Singh would be remembered till the existence of sun and moon).

Several politicians, including cabinet minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Ram Vilas Paswan, Subodh Kant Sahay, state Congress president Reeta Bahuguna Joshi, Pramod Tiwari, Ashok Bajpayee, Reoti Raman Singh, payed homage to the former PM during his last journey.

The 77-year-old Singh passed away on November 27 after a prolonged illness.

UNI VCP/JAS SB UCS1850