NAZIRA,UPPER ASSAM: The mortal remains of the Assam Chief Minister Hiteshwar Saikia were consigned to flames with full state honors, in the twilight hours here last week.
The funeral rites were conducted according to Tai-Ahom religious traditions.
Saikia’s eldest son Debabrate Salkia lit the pyre to religious chants as the sun went down the horizons of the Nazira sky. Wreaths were placed on the late leader’s body on behalf of the President, Shanker Dayal Sharma, the Vice-president K.R. Narayanan, the Prime Minister P.V, Narasimha Rao and Sonia Gandhi.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 1, 1996
