(L) Tarun Gogoi’s last rites at Navagraha crematorium, says Assam Congress

GUWAHATI

Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s last rites will be performed at the Navagraha crematorium in the heart of the city on Thursday.

“After deliberations with party leaders and consultation with family members, we have finally decided to perform the last rites of the departed leader at Navagraha crematorium,” Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president, Ripun Bora informed newsmen here on Tuesday evening.

The last rites of the visionary leader will be performed with full national honours, the state government had announced on Monday evening.

Earlier in the day, there was suspense regarding the venue, with the Opposition Congress and the ruling engaged in “hectic deliberations” over a proposed memorial in honour of the three-time Chief Minister.

The APCC had requested the state government to determine, as soon as possible, a plot of government land for cremation, and subsequently, the construction of a memorial in the city.

The state government explored its options but could not find land “in the heart of the city” for building a memorial in honour of the veteran Congress leader.

Assam minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, however, informed that two places (on the outskirts of the city) – Amingaon and Sonapur could be explored if the party agreed.

Admitting that one bigha of land near the Indoor Stadium at Amingaon was proposed by the minister for the cremation site, Bora however said that the party, after deliberations, chose Navagraha as the venue for the cremation.

“A memorial will be constructed and a decision in this regard will be taken later by the party after deliberations,” he added.

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)