ANANTAPUR: The final rites of Agniveer Jawan M Murali Naik, who was martyred in the line of duty during Operation Sindoor on the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir, were conducted with full State honours in his native village of Kalli Thanda, Gorantla Mandal, Sri Sathya Sai district, on Sunday.
A large number of locals, family members, officials, and dignitaries gathered to bid a tearful farewell to the brave soldier.
Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan paid floral tributes to the martyr and announced a compensation package of Rs 50 lakh on behalf of the state government. He also promised to allot five acres of land, a 300-square-yard house plot, and a government job for one eligible family member. Additionally, Pawan Kalyan pledged personal financial aid of Rs 25 lakh to the bereaved family.
The Deputy CM, accompanied by Ministers Nara Lokesh, Anagani Satya Prasad, Vangalapudi Anitha, S Savitha, and Satya Kumar Yadav, visited the martyr’s residence to pay their last respects and console his grieving parents, Jyothi Bai and Sriram Naik. The leaders offered emotional support and assured them that the government would stand firmly with them. housands gathered to bid farewell to the fallen hero.
Minister Nara Lokesh not only participated in the funeral but also carried the martyr’s body on his shoulders as a mark of respect. He closely supervised the funeral arrangements and coordinated with officials to ensure the ceremony was conducted with dignity and honour. Speaking to the media after paying floral tributes to the mortal remains of the martyr, Lokesh condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J&K, where innocent lives were lost.
Minister Lokesh praised the Army jawans for their dedication, determination, and unwavering resolve in protecting the motherland despite continued drone and missile attacks from Pakistan.
Kalli Thanda to be named after Murali Naik
“Our brave jawans are away from their families, working day and night for the safety of every Indian,” he said, adding that Murali Naik was one such soldier who had always dreamt of serving in the armed forces and aspired to die while fighting for the motherland. “It is heartbreaking that the only child of his family, who grew up with his grandparents, has made the ultimate sacrifice at such a young age,” he said.
Lokesh said, “The coalition government is committed to supporting the family in every possible way.”
He also announced that since the final rites were performed on the family’s land, a memorial would be constructed at the site.
Additionally, a bronze statue of Murali Naik will be installed in the district centre to inspire future generations and honour his sacrifice, Lokesh added.
In a symbolic tribute, the villagers and local leaders have proposed renaming Kalli Thanda, the native place of the fallen hero, as Murali Naik Thanda. Minister Lokesh confirmed that the government supports the proposal, stating, “Renaming the village is a fitting homage to a true patriot and reflects the gratitude of the nation.”
The final rites were held in the family’s agricultural field with full official honours. MP B.K. Parthasarathi, former ministers Pallam Raghunatha Reddy and Kalava Srinivasulu, and several MLAs including Pallam Sindhura Reddy, M S Raju, and J C Prabhakar Reddy were present.
Murali Naik, the only son of Sriram Naik and Jyothi Bai, was selected as an Agniveer in October 2022 during the first round of recruitment. He was initially posted in Nashik, Maharashtra, and was later assigned to active duty along the volatile Jammu and Kashmir border.
On Thursday night, while on patrol duty, Murali Naik encountered a group of infiltrators attempting to breach the border. In the fierce exchange of gunfire that followed, he successfully neutralized five infiltrators. Tragically, he sustained fatal injuries during the gun battle and was martyred.
“He was selected as an Agniveer. Initially, he underwent six months of training in Nashik, Maharashtra. After that, he was posted in Assam for a year. From there, he was transferred to Jammu and Kashmir. It was there, during a night-time gun battle, that we lost our son,” said Ram Naik, father of the martyred Agniveer Murali Naik.