Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu who died in a chopper crash near Tawang will be given a state funeral. His last rites will be performed at his native place Tawang tomorrow. A Home Ministry statement in New Delhi said, all Central government offices in the state will remain closed tomorrow. The national flag will fly at half mast today and tomorrow in Arunachal Pradesh and in all states and UT capitals, including Delhi. The Arunachal government has announced a seven days state mourning beginning today as a mark of respect to Dorjee Khandu.The Assam Government has declared a three-day State mourning and Rajasthan government a two day state mourning in the honor Dorjee Khandu.The mortal remains of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu was brought to Itanagar from the crash site near Lugutang in an IAF helicopter this afternoon. The body is now kept at the Chief Minister’s Bungalow and will be flown to Tawang tomorrow.The President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari and the Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh have condoled the death of Dorjee Khandu.Meanwhile ,Arunachal Pradesh Congress Legislative Party met in Itanager this evening. In a resolution Party legislators authorised Congress President Sonia Gandhi to choose successor to Dorjee Khandu.The single line resolution by the CLP was faxed to the Congress president. Party sources said, front-runners in the race are Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and PWD Minister Nabam Tuki, Power Minister Jarbom Gamlin, Finance Minister Setong Sena and RWD Minister Kalikho Pul. Raj Bhawan PRO Atum Potom said there is every possibility of the swearing-in tonight.
News On AIR | May 5, 2011 9:12 PM
Khandu’s last rites to be performed at Tawang on Friday