Sea of people pay tributes during Chandy’s final journey, mourners line roads for a last glimpse of their leader

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ten thousands of mourners lined the roads to get a last glimpse of their beloved leader. People including women and children are waiting on the road sides ignoring heavy rain. The mourners paid their last respects to the popular leader by chanting the slogan 'Illa illa marikilla'. Some bursts into tears after seeing the body of the former chief minister Oommen Chandy, who died Tuesday early morning.

It took more than three hours to cover 10 kilometers through the sea of people. People including small children and aged men are standing on both sides of the road to see the leader who lived among the people, for the last time. The procession is moving slowly as the mourners’ line on roads.

The procession started in a specially arranged KSRTC bus after the morning prayers held in Puthupally House at Jagathy in the capital city. People standing on both sides of the road paid floral tributes to the leader.

The bus carrying the body of Chandy will reach Kottayam via Venjaramoodu, Kilimanoor, Kottarakkara, Adoor, Pandalam, Chenganoor, Thiruvalla and Changanassery. The body will be kept at the Thirunakkara Maidanam in the evening for the people to pay homage. After that, the body will be taken to the family house in Puthupally. The body will be taken to St George’s Church as a procession at 2 pm. The funeral services will begin at 3 pm. Rahul Gandhi will attend Chandy’s funeral.

The body brought to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru yesterday was kept in four places for the people to pay homage. People from all parts of the state had arrived here to pay homage to the leader. Many bursts into tears seeing the body of the leader. The body was brought to Puthupally House from KPCC headquarters early Wednesday morning.