Former Kerala CM Karunakaran cremated with full state honours

THRISSUR - Veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, who breathed his last in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, was cremated with full state honours here today.

Earlier this morning, Karunakaran’s body was brought here from Thiruvananthapuram and kept at the Town Hall for the public to pay homage.

Tens of thousands of people paid their last respects to Karunakaran, who was affectionately called ‘Leader’ by Congress activists

Union Defence Minister A. K. Antony, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Mulappally Ramachandran, Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahmed, Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Oommen Chandy, Kerala were present at the Town Hall and paid homage to Karunakaran.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, also arrived here earlier today and placed a wreath on Karunakaran’s body and paid homage to him.

The security in and around the city was tightened following Dr. ingh’s visit.

The cremation took place at Karnakaran’s house ‘Muralimandiram’ at Punkunnam in the district next to the tomb of his wife Kalyanikutty Amma. (ANI)