Siachen soldier Lance Naik's body brought to Hubballi

Hubballi (Karnataka), Feb 12: The body of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, who passed away on Thursday after battling for life since his miraculous survival in Siachen, was brought here on Thursday night.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah along with his Cabinet colleagues H K Patil and Vinay Kulkarni, Opposition leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar, among others, received the body at the airport. The state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the bereaved family.

Siddaramaiah has also announced a site, land, job for Hanamanthappa's wife and memorial for the braveheart, the CM's office said. The body was kept at KIMS hospital in Hubballi and was shifted to Nehru Ground in the city to enable people to pay their last respects.

The last rites will be performed in the afternoon on Friday at Betadur village in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district in north Karnataka.

A large number of people had gathered on the road leading to the KIMS hospital from the airport. Hanamanthappa will be given full state honours, Dharwad district in-charge Minister Vinay Kulkarni had earlier said.

"All arrangements for public viewing and last rites have been made at his village, it will be done with state honours," he added.

PTI