Mangalore: Departed BSF Soldier Laid to Rest amidst Tears and Honours
CLICK HERE to view more pictures of the final rites
from Melka Miyar from Morgan's Gate and Nandigudda (MB) - pics - Rajesh Shetty
Update: Friday, May 25, 5-00 pm
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Mangalore: The mortal remains of Muralidhar Naik, soldier of the Border Security Force posted in Mizoram last Monday, were consigned to flames in Nandigudda crematorium on Friday May 25 afternoon. The cause of death has been now reported as cerebral malaria.
Earlier, the body was brought to his house near Morgan's Gate from Bajpe Airport and thereafter taken in a procession to the crematorium.
A large number of grieving family members, friends, well-wishers and the general public had gathered, in an atmosphere of grief, respect and sentiments.
BSF soldiers presented a guard of honour to him by firing 3 rounds. DySP Dharmaiah, at the same time, led the guard of honour on behalf on district police. Later, the flag covering the body was ceremonially handed over by the BSF to Kirtan, son of the deceased, by BSF.
Oscar Fernandes, union minister for labour, Veerappa Moily, chairman, union administrative reforms commission, AICC secretary Praveen Davar, former KPCC president Janardan Poojary and many others were present..
Malaria claimed his life
Gangadhrappa, who worked with Muralidhar Naik for 17 years, had accompanied the body of deceased to look after the formalities of cremation. He described the hectic working conditions of the BSF soldiers in Mizoram. Malaria is a common disease on the border there. With heavy winds on one side and non stop rains on another, even helicopters have difficulty in landing there, he said.
Muralidhar Naik, who fell victim to cerebral malaria, had been transferred to Mizoram's Bangla border only last April. When he was taken ill, it took 2 days to bring him over to the BSF head quarters which resulted in rising fever, he informed.
“We are not facing much of militancy problem. But malaria is severely affecting many, in spite of all the precautions are taken. On the other hand, there are no proper road facilities. Sometimes it takes 2 days to reach the border from the headquarters on foot,” Gangadharappa said.
On 1993, a team headed by him was successful in seizing gold worth 36 kgs which was being smuggled across the border. Naik was disciplined and had great leadership qualities, Gangadharappa recalled.
CLICK HERE to view more pictures of the final rites
Earlier report:
Mangalorean BSF Constable Muralidhar Naik Dies in Mizoram
by Gladson D'Almeida
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MB) - pics - Dayanand Kukkaje
Muralidhar Naik
Mangalore, May 25: It was only a few hours ago that these columns first published the news of the tragic death of Mangalorean Lt Colonel Praveen D'Cunha in a chopper crash on Thursday in Himachal Pradesh. Now there is another report, about the death of another Mangalorean soldier who was serving in the Border Security Force (BSF) in distant Mizoram state. He did not die in action or mishap, but certainly it is a case of unnatural and untimely death of a brave Mangalorean.
Speaking to this correspondent over the phone one of his family members said that B Muralidhar Naik (48), a Dafedar with BSF died after being stung by a venomous insect in Mizoram on Monday May 21. His mortal remains have already arrived at Mangalore airport and would be brought to his house "Shetty Bettu" at Morgan's Gate near here soon.
Family members, neighbours and well-wishers waiting anxiously for the arrival of the body
Muralidhar Naik was the son of Venkatramana and Sundari Naik, residents of Shetty Bettu at Morgansgate here. He was married to Veena and the couple has two children, a son and a daughter. While his son Keertan is doing his engineering studies in Nitte College, daughter Chetana is studying in PUC.
Muralidhar had joined BSF way back in 1984. After his initial training he has served the country while being in various places. At first he was posted in Punjab. Later on he rendered his services in Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and West Bengal before being transferred to Mizoram in April 2007.
Before moving to Mizoram he had come down holidays on March 5. After spending some time with his wife, children and parents, he had reported to duty in Mizoram.
Award for bravery
He had been presented various awards for his bravery during the past years. In 1993 he along with his team had won a special award for busting a clandestine cross-border operation.
More details about his death will be known once BSF officials arrive home with body. It is reported that a venomous creature stung him while on duty. It is said that its venom spreads through the entire body quite fast and results in damaging the brain within 6 hours.
Possibilities are there that they were in a distant place which was far from immediate medical facilities which finally resulted in the untimely death of brave Mangalorean soldier Muralidhar Naik.
Today Mangalore has one more son about who it can be proud for ages for he has served the country to the best of his abilities for the last 23 years.
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