Trucks of Sukma martyrs stopped to pass by convoy of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

"A truck carrying the Sukma martyrs' mortal remains was stopped for around 15 minutes near Patna airport to allow Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's convoy pass through that route," alleged Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav on Wednesday alleged. 

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Ram Kripal Yadav, who was earlier trusted man of former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, further alleged that not a single minister from Nitish Kumar's government turned up at the Patna airport on Tuesday evening. "The bodies of six jawans martyred in Chattisgarh's Sukma district were brought to be sent to their respective village however, not CM Nitish Kumar not Deputy CM turned up pay tribute to the jawan," he said. 

According to a Patna district official, there is a tradition in Bihar that ministers reach either airport or martyr's home to pay homage on behalf of the state government whenever body of any martyr was brought in the state.

Terming Bihar government's move of not sending a single minister to the airport as "insensitive and unfortunate", union minister further said it is surprising that CM could not find time to pay homage to the martyrs though his residence is "very close" to the Patna airport.

However, Patna DM sanjay Agarwal, Patna SSP manu Maharaaj and battery of district officials reached the airport, laid wreath and pay homage to martyrs on behalf of the state government. Ruling JD(U)'s senior functionary Shyam Rajak was also present at the airport to pay homage to martyrs.

Nitish Kumar earlier announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the martyrs on Tuesday morning and their cremation with full state honours. Senior officials from the concerned district were present during cremation of all six jawans at their respective native places where the last rites were performed with full state honours, a state government official said here on Wednesday.