Nayagarh: People of Anandapalli village in Odisha’s Nayagarh district gathered to mourn and bid a tearful goodbye to Jitu Behera, a jawan in the Indian Army.
The 31-year-old Naik, who was serving in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district in north Kashmir, tragically succumbed to a suspected heart attack on January 26. Despite being rushed to a medical facility, he could not be saved. He had joined the Indian Army in 2013.
The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow, with cries of anguish echoing through the village as the mortal remains of the young soldier arrived draped in the tricolour on Wednesday. Hundreds of villagers and patriots lined the streets to pay their last respects. Emotional scenes unfolded as family members, friends and neighbours struggled to come to terms with the heart-breaking loss. The grief-stricken parents and relatives were consoled by fellow villagers. His wife with whom he tied the knot a few months back, was inconsolable.
The last rites were performed with a guard of honour. Nayagarh Collector of Nayagarh Madhumita Rath, Additional SP of the district and officers from the Army were present. “The government will provide all possible support to the family,” Rath said.
