Subhash Mahajan
Chamba
A heart‑wrenching scene unfolded on the banks of the Ravi River at Gehra cremation ground in Bharmour constituency, where four funeral pyres burned side by side. Among them was the pyre of police constable Ripan Rana, who was given a final farewell with full state honours by his fellow officers.
The atmosphere was heavy with grief as thousands of relatives, villagers, and mourners gathered. Wrapped in the tricolor, the coffin of the fallen policeman was carried from his home, with locals chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”
Just two days earlier, a devastating car accident claimed the lives of five members of the same family, including a young child. The family was traveling from Chandigarh to their ancestral village Gehra when tragedy struck.
Police officials and personnel stood in solemn tribute, offering a ceremonial salute to their departed colleague. The community was left shattered, with villagers lamenting how a vibrant, happy family was wiped out in an instant.
Tears, cries, and prayers filled the air as people consoled the bereaved relatives, praying for peace to the departed souls and strength for the family to endure this unimaginable loss.
