Rumtek ( East Sikkim ) : L.D. Kazi, the man who led the democratic movement in Sikkim leading to the state’s merger with India in 1975, was cremated here today with full state honours.
The first chief minister of Sikkim, Kazi died at his Kalimpong residence at the age of 103 years on Saturday night.
The body was brought here two days ago for the cremation in deference to his wish.
As rains took a break and the sun shone bright, Kazi’s body draped in the Tricolour was taken out of the old Rumtek monastery, which he had headed once, for the final journey. With monks chanting in the front followed by police band, the cortege was taken to the cremation ground above the monastery.
The body was consigned to flames with the bugle sounding the Last Post. The police personnel reversed their guns and offered a 21-gun salute in honour of the “father of democracy”.
Chief minister Pawan Chamling, his cabinet colleagues, legislators, senior government officials led by chief secretary N.D. Chingapa were present. The General officer commanding of the 17 Mountain Division, K.V.S. Lalotra, represented the army at the funeral.
People from all walks of life also thronged the cremation ground in large numbers.
Educational institutions and government offices in the state remained closed today to pay respect to Kazi. All shops also downed their shutters for the day.
Source: The Telegraph
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