Body of Thomas, who was shot dead in Jordan, cremated; family in grief

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: "I raised him by working as a fishmonger, carrying a basket over my head. When I became too ill to work, he was a help to the family. The truth about his death must be brought out." Mother Celine is crying in front of the grave of the Thumba native who was shot dead in Jordan.

The body of Thomas, who was shot dead by the Jordanian army while trying to enter Israel, was brought back to the country yesterday and buried at the St. John the Baptist Church Cemetery in Thumba. Thomas (47, Ani), son of Gabriel Perera, at the Puthuval house in Thumba Pallithura, died on February 10 after being shot by the Jordanian army. The family only learnt about his death on the 28th.

Subsequently, at the request of his relatives, the Indian Embassy and Norka intervened and brought back the body. The body was brought to the Thiruvananthapuram airport at 2.45 am yesterday. The relatives received the body at 3.45 am and took it home in a Norka ambulance at 4.40 am. Hundreds of people came to pay their last respects at the public viewing that followed. The funeral was held at the cemetery at 10 am under the leadership of parish priest Shaji Jose. Thomas was buried in one of the six graves left in the cemetery for deceased fishermen and expatriates.

Thomas was an autorickshaw driver. Mother: Celine. Wife: Christina. Uncle Ronald is yet to learn of Thomas' death. He had gone to the bay a month ago in a big boat to catch fish and has not returned.

Minister G.R. Anil, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, DCC President Palode Ravi, and CPI District Secretary Mangode Radhakrishnan paid their last respects.