Nation salutes Andhra Pradesh soldier Murali Naik: Final rites held amid chants and tears
Agniveer Mudavath Murali Naik, 23, was martyred during 'Operation Sindoor' in Jammu and Kashmir, his last rites were performed with full state honors in Andhra Pradesh
NEW DELHI: The last rites of
Agniveer Mudavath Murali Naik
were performed with full state honours on Sunday at his native village, Kalli Thanda, in Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh.
According to news agency PTI, the 23-year-old soldier from the Kalli Thanda village of Gorantla mandal died around 2am Friday at a reserve area in Jammu and Kashmir during an exchange of fire as part of '
Operation Sindoor
'.
His body reached his hometown late on Saturday night, following an official handover and ceremonial honours.
According to a press release, the mortal remains of Naik were transported from Bengaluru Airport—where they were received by BC Welfare Minister and Penukonda MLA S Savitha—to Gorantla in a military convoy of nearly 300 vehicles. En route, hundreds of mourners paid their respects, showering flower petals and waving the national flag.
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From Gummayyagaripalli Cross to Kalli Thanda, Naik's body was taken in a solemn procession accompanied by government officials, villagers, and supporters chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Murali Naik amar rahe'.
Upon reaching his home, grief-stricken family members, including his mother Jyothi Bai, broke down as people raised slogans of 'Vande Mataram'. Minister Savitha was seen trying to console the bereaved family.
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Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan and IT minister Nara Lokesh also paid their respects during the last rites. Speaking to the media, Kalyan announced financial support for the soldier's family.
'Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia, five acres of agricultural land, 300 square yards of land for housing to the family of Murali Naik. A government job will also be given to Naik's family after the Cabinet's discussion,' Kalyan said.
He also offered Rs 25 lakh personally to support the grieving family.
'The state bows in respect to Naik's bravery. His service to the nation will not be forgotten,' Lokesh added.
The young Agniveer had spoken to his parents—who live in Ghatkopar's Kamraj Nagar in Mumbai—via video call around 8am on Thursday, just hours before the fatal incident. 'He had just returned from duty and was still in his uniform. He said he had to go back in the evening.
We asked him if he had had his breakfast and that was the last time we saw his face,' recalled his father, Shriram.
The family, originally from Andhra Pradesh, had moved to Mumbai 30 years ago in search of livelihood. Shriram and his wife were visiting their hometown when they received the devastating news and reportedly fainted on hearing it. 'We are proud that he was martyred while protecting the country, but as parents, we have paid a huge price.
He was our only child and we have lost him,' he said.
Naik, who was part of the first batch of recruits under the Centre's Agnipath scheme, is survived by his parents and extended family, including his maternal uncle Laxman Naik.
The Andhra Pradesh government stated that Naik's sacrifice will be honoured with full support to the bereaved family, and his memory will be preserved in the annals of the state's service to the nation.
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