Air Ambulance carrying body of Kodiyeri reach Kannur; thousands to pay homage

KANNUR: An air ambulance carrying the body of CPM politburo member and party former state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has reached Kannur Airport. Leaders including CPM district secretary M V Jayarajan will receive the body in Kannur. Thousands of CPM activists have reached the airport to have a last glimpse of their leader.

The air ambulance carrying the body of the leader left Chennai airport at 11.22 am. His wife Vinodini, son Bineesh and daughter-in-law Rinita will accompany the body in the air ambulance. The air ambulance is expected to reach around 1 pm. The party has arranged facilities at 14 places in Kannur for the people to pay their last respects to their beloved leader. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and opposition leader V D Satheesan will pay their respects to Kodiyeri in Thalassery. The chief minister will pay his last respects with his family.

Kodiyeri's body will be brought to Thalassery from the airport. People can pay homage to the leader the whole day today in Thalassery. A hartal will be observed tomorrow in Thalassery, Dharmadom and Kannur constituencies as a mark of respect. He will be laid to rest near the memorial tombs of his dear party leaders at Payyambalam sea in Thalassery. He will be laid to rest tomorrow evening at 3 pm.

Kodiyeri's body will be kept for public homage in the evening at Thalassery Town Hall, where he was raised as a leader and where his fiery and emotional speeches were heard several times. The body will be kept for homage at Mattannur Town, Nellunni, Uruvachal, Nirveli, Moonampeedika, Thokkilangadi, Koothuparambu, Pokkod, Kottayampoil, Araammile, Vettummal, Kathirur, Ponnayam Srampi and Chungam. Senior leaders including CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and Prakash Karat will reach Kannur to pay homage. Senior leaders will participate in the cremation of the beloved leader.