Vazhoor Soman laid to rest: Thousands pay tribute to veteran leader

PEERUMADE: Peerumade MLA Vazhoor Soman, remembered for his lifelong struggle for the rights of plantation workers, was laid to rest on Friday evening. His funeral took place around 4 p.m. near the memorial of his close associate and AITUC leader S.K. Anandan, in the presence of thousands of mourners.

The mortal remains were first brought to his residence at Valardi, Vandiperiyar, in the morning, where a steady stream of people arrived to pay their respects. By 11.30 a.m., it was shifted to the Vandiperiyar Panchayat Community Hall, where leaders from various fields and large crowds paid homage.

District Collector Dr. Dinesan Cheruvat offered tributes on behalf of the state government. Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer, Ministers K. Rajan, P. Prasad, J. Chinchurani, Roshy Augustine, Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar, MP Dean Kuriakose, MLAs M.M. Mani, A. Raja, C.K. Asha, K.U. Janeesh Kumar, Antony John, Sebastian Kulathunkal, CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam and several others also paid their respects.

Later in the afternoon, the funeral procession commenced at 3.30 p.m. and reached the Pambanar Memorial Hall by 4.30 p.m., where more people had gathered to bid farewell. A police guard of honour was presented at 4.45 p.m., following which the crowd raised slogans in memory of the departed leader as he was given a final farewell.