Thousands attend last rites of former minister, NC leader Qamar Ali Akhoon in Kargil
Kargil, Feb 14: Thousands of people Saturday attended the last rites of senior National Conference leader and former Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon at Sankoo in Kargil amid emotional scenes.
The mortal remains of the veteran leader who passed away in Jammu on Friday morning reached Kargil late last night and were taken early Saturday morning to his native village, Snagrah. As per his will, his last rites were performed at Sankoo near the grave of Aga Syed Haider. Thousands of people from across Ladakh, including Kargil and parts of J&K, gathered to pay their final respects.
District Police Kargil presented a Guard of Honour on the occasion as a mark of respect to the departed leader.
Several prominent religious, political and social leaders addressed the gathering and expressed their condolences. Sheikh Nazir, President of Anjuman Jamiat Ulama Isna Ashriya Kargil, Sheikh Mohd Mohaqik on behalf of Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust Kargil, and Aga Sadiq on behalf of Anjuman Inqilab-e-Mehdi and Anjuman Sadat Kargil, Khalid Bagh on Behalf of Anjuman e Ahlae Sunnat, paid rich tributes to the departed soul.
MP Ladakh Haji Hanifa Jan, Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai, Nasir Aslam Wani, and Punchok Tashi also spoke on the occasion, conveying condolences on behalf of their respective organizations. Representatives of various political parties, religious bodies, social organizations, and village heads were also present to offer prayers and sympathies. On the directions of NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani and Provincial President Kashmir Adv Mir Showkat participated in the Nimaz-e-Jinaza. They also expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul, as well as strength and patience for the grieving family during this difficult time.
Chief Secretary Ladakh, Ashish Kundra attended the funeral and paid condolences to the bereaved family. The Chief Secretary expressed his condolences particularly to the brother of the late leader, Dr Muhammad Jaffer Akhoon, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC, Kargil, and other family members. He acknowledged the late Akhoon’s contributions to public service and development in the region.
On the occasion, DGP Ladakh, MP Ladakh, Deputy Commissioner Kargil, SSP Kargil, Nitin Yadav, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Imteeaz Kachoo, Joint Director Finance, Joint Director Planning, Councillors of LAHDC Kargil, besides a huge gathering of people from across Kargil district, were present to pay their last respects. A ceremonial Guard of Honour was also presented as a mark of respect to the departed leader by Ladakh Police. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Akhoon thanked all those who travelled to Sankoo to pay tribute and express solidarity with the bereaved family. He remembered his elder brother as a man of simplicity who devoted his life to serving the poor and the people of the region until his last breath. Meanwhile, condolence messages continue to pour in from all walks of life, including social, religious, political and village committees across Ladakh.
