Tiruvaur: A pall of gloom descended at Avichakudi , a non-descript village in Valangaiman taluk in the district, as the mortal remains of Padmanabhan, a CRPF jawan and son of this soil, who was killed in an ambush by Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh on Monday, arrived today.
The 44-year-old Padmanabhan along with 98 troopers had been deployed to help with construction of a road through the Maoist stronghold of Sukma in Chhattisgarh on Monday when around 300-400 Leftist insurgents ambushed and outnumber the troopers. In the attack, at least 24 CRPF jawans including Padmanabhan were killed.
Padmanaban joined the Central Reserve Police Force in 1994 and was due to retire from service in another 35 days. He had visited his family some twenty days ago. Unfortunately, he was killed in the ambush by Maoist, sources said.
He is survived by his wife Maheswari and two children Muralidharan (5) and Monika (2).
The mortal remains of Padmanabhan arrived Tiruchy airport this afternoon from Raipur in a special flight. Senior revenue and police officers received it and paid their homage. Then, the coffin was taken to his native by road.
On behalf of the district administration, Collector Nirmal Raj and other senior revenue and police officials placed wreath and paid their respects. Later, his mortal remains were consigned to flames after a guard of honour.