Oommen Chandy’s funeral procession: Hundreds gather to catch a glimpse of their leader

Thiruvananthapuram: The funeral procession carrying the mortal remains of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy began from Puthuppally House at Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram to Kottayam around 7.30 am on Wednesday. The body, which was airlifted to the state capital from Bengaluru on Tuesday, was kept for the public to pay their respects in the capital on Tuesday. 

Even amid rains, hundreds of people gathered on either side of the road to catch a last glimpse of their leader, who embarked on a journey of no return. The funeral procession began from Jagathy and passed through PMG, Pattom, Mannanthala and has currently reached Vattappara. 

In the wake of the procession, traffic regulations have been imposed in various regions near Puthuppally on Wednesday and Thursday. On reaching Kottayam, the body will be kept at the DCC office and Thirunakkara Maidanam for public homage. Following which, it will be shifted to the leader’s residence in Puthuppally. 

As part of the restrictions imposed by the police, a holiday has been declared for the schools in Kottayam district on Wednesday afternoon. 

The funeral will be held at 2.30 pm on Thursday at Puthuppally Church. Meanwhile, the state government is yet to take a decision over whether to provide state honours to Chandy, as the latter had expressed a desire not to be given official honours at the funeral. 

Oommen Chandy, two-time chief minister of Kerala, breathed his last on Tuesday around 4.25 am while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bengaluru. His mortal remains were kept for public viewing at the residence of former minister T John and later airlifted to Thiruvananthapuram.