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India's Jayalalithaa laid to rest with full state honours

Xinhua, December 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Former Chief Minister of southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa was Tuesday evening laid to rest with full state honours.

Jayalalithaa's body kept in a sandalwood casket was lowered inside a grave next to the memorial of her mentor, M G Ramachandran at Marina Beach in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.

Top Indian politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Jayalalithaa's funeral.

Her last rites were performed by her long term associate Sasikala and other close relatives.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the city to participate in her funeral and catch final glimpse of their beloved leader. As the funeral procession reached Marina Beach, wails of grief filled the air with women crying and beating their heads and chests.

A military truck served as a hearse took more than an hour to cover the three-km journey from Rajaji Hall to Marina Beach.

Huge contingents of police and paramilitary have been deployed in the southern state amid fears of unrest. Officials suspected her supporters could resort to violence and acts of self-immolation. However, crowds by and large have been orderly and disciplined.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee also paid homage to Jayalalithaa in Chennai.

Both the Houses of Indian Parliament were adjourned for the day as a mark of respect.

Jayalalithaa, one of India's most influential and colourful politicians, passed away on Monday night at Apollo hospital in Chennai. The 68-year-old ailing politician suffered a heart attack on Sunday night while undergoing treatment for a prolonged lung infection for the past three months.

Jayalalithaa's trusted colleague O Panneerselvam has been sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a sombre ceremony at Governor's office. Legislators from Jayalalithaa's All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Khazagham (AIADMK) party met at the party headquarters to elect Panneerselvam as the successor to Jayalalithaa.

In Oct., Jayalalithaa handed over all her responsibilities to Panneerselvam. Endit