police paid homage to the slain driver Sukanta Sahu

Senior officials of police and administration along with common citizens of the town gathered near Saheed pillar in Sambalpur on early hours of Saturday to pay homage to the body of slain driver Sukanta Sahu that died in a landmine blast in Koraput on Thursday while he was performing his official duty. Police also gave gun salute to the slain soldier soon the body was reached Samablpur in a decorated vehicle. Later it was taken to his native village Bandhapali for his last rituals.

“It was a sad moment for his family members as they have lost their son. But he remained as a hero in the police record.”, the IG of police Mr. YB Khurania told while paying tribute to the deceased body.

“We paid homage with gun salute to the departed sole soon the body of Sukanta reached to Sambalpur. IG of police Mr. YB Khurania and collector P K Patnaik saluted the departed sole acknowledging his service to the department”, the DSP (sambalpur) Dinabandhu Patel told.

Sources said, Sukanta Sahu (23), a native of Bandhapali village under Jamenkira police station 75 km from here had joined the state police department in APR force just a year back and posted in Koraput district. He was killed in a landmine blast near Palur of Koraput district on Thursday on his way to Narayanpatna. He along with 8 others security personnel sitting in the vehicle got killed.

Sukanta’s dead body was sent in a decorated police vehicle to his native district Sambalpur.

The body was kept near Saheed pillar where rich tribute was paid by the people of various walks of life. Police personnel gave gun salute to the departed sole. Later it was taken to his native Bandhapali village where cremation was taken place in a grief-stricken atmosphere. Thousands of people of the surrounding villages gathered in the village to pay respect to the late soldier. The villagers gave heroic farewell with tears to the brave youth. “I am very sorry for losing a friend like him. I feel lonely after his death”, cousin and friend Dipan Sahu told.

Earlier Sukanta Sahu had talked to his family over phone one day before the incident

He was quite happy on previous day during his 30 minutes talk with his family members over cell phone. He had requested his parent not to worry for him as he was quite safe in his service place. He even disclosed his desire to come back soon to his home. But he would never back as he died in powerful landmines at Narayanpatna on Thursday morning that crushed the vehicle he was driving killing all 10 members boarded in the vehicle. Entire village remained stunt when the news aired television set.

“I was shocked to hear the news in the television set. I did not believe it and immediately rang him. But when I did not get any reply I became sad,”Hrudananda Sahu, father of the deceased driver Sukant sahu told,. “He talked to me over phone just in the previous night and was telling that they remained in Palur as they could to go to Narayanpanta because of the obstruction of road by the Maoist by cutting trees on the road. But he assured me to come back soon and I should not worry for him”, Hrudanada described in a broken heart.

Sukanta Sahu (23), a native of Bandhapali village under Jamenkira police station 75 km from here had joined the state police department in APR force just a year back. Completing graduation from Sungergarh College Sukanta did computer hardware course in Bhubaneswar before he joined the force as driver. He came to his village in February last to attend the marriage ceremony of his elder brother Ramakanta. Out of 5 brothers and sisters Sukanta was 2^nd in the family. “He always remains happy because of his cheerful personality. I lost a great friend of me after his death”, Depan, cousin of Sukanta told.

After the marriage of Ramakanta it was his turn. But he had told me to wait for sometime. When I never harm to any one why god punished me in such a way”, Sukanta’s mother Sauki said crying loudly.

Sukanta was driving a police vehicle taking 9 security personnel to Narayanpatna when a powerful landmine exploded killing every one of the vehicle on Thursday morning near Palur 95 km from Keroput town.