GUWAHATI: In order to honour the supreme sacrifice made by Havildar Pranay Kalita, Rifleman Methna Konyak and Rifleman Ratan Salam of the Assam Rifles, who laid down their lives during an ambush by insurgents in Chandel district of in Manipur on July 9 morning, a wreath-laying ceremony with full military honours was organised at Tulihal Airport, Imphal under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) on Friday morning.
Wreaths were laid to pay homage to the fallen soldiers by N Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, L Shushindro, MLA, LM Khaute, DGP, Manipur, Brigadier DS Shishodia, DIG AR (South), Brigadier Deepak Joshi, Commander, 9 Sector Assam Rifles and Colonel Prashant Misra, Col ‘A’ 57 Mountain Division.
Havildar Pranay Kalita, a resident of Barpeta district of Assam, is survived by his wife and two daughters, while Rifleman Methna Konyak, a resident of Mon District of Nagaland is survived by his wife and daughter. Rifleman Ratan Salam is a resident of Kakching Makha Leikai, Manipur and he has left behind his wife and two sons.
Later in the day, the Assam Police and Assam Rifles paid tribute to the mortal remains of havildar Pranay Kalita of Assam Rifles at the LGBI Airport in Guwahati. The mortal remains of the slain Assam Rifles jawan arrived in the airport here on Friday noon.
Earlier, Assam Chef Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal had directed that the Assam Rifles jawan be cremated with state honour.