Shivamogga bids tearful farewell to terror victim with state honours

Shivamogga: A wave of grief swept through Shivamogga on Thursday as the mortal remains of Manjunath Rao, who lost his life in the recent terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, was laid to rest with full state honours.
Shivamogga city came to a standstill as residents joined the mourning. Business establishments across Nehru Road, Durgigudi, and Gandhi Bazaar downed the shutters in solidarity, observing a bandh during the funeral procession.
The body of Manjunath Rao arrived in Shivamogga from Bengaluru by road at around 10.30am. An emotional procession began from Bekkinakal Mutt junction and moved through the city to his home in Vijayanagar. Along the route, locals stopped the ambulance to pay their respects. Hindutva workers accompanied the vehicle with a bike rally.
At his residence, hundreds gathered to offer condolences. The public was allowed to pay homage after the completion of family rituals. As per the customs, his son Abhijay performed the sacred rite of lighting the funeral pyre.
The final rites were conducted at 3.30pm at the Rotary Crematorium on the banks of the Tunga River. A large crowd, including elected representatives, senior district officials, and relatives, attended the ceremony. The Shivamogga Armed Reserve Force presented state honours before the pyre was lit.
Union minister Pralhad Joshi and education minister Madhu Bangarappa visited the grieving family. "The Union govt would retaliate against those involved in a fitting way," Joshi told the gathering.
Madhu Bangarappa consoled Pallavi, Manjunath's wife, who arrived with son Abhijay from Bengaluru. His mother, Sumathi, remained inconsolable as relatives from near and far gathered to bid farewell.
Wife recounts Kashmir Horror, urges PM Modi to act
Pallavi, the wife of slain Shivamogga businessman Manjunath Rao, has called on the govt to act following the terror attack in Kashmir that claimed her husband's life. Describing the Tuesday attack where her husband was shot in the neck and died within a minute, Pallavai said Manjunath stepped away to buy snacks.
"We mistook the firing for firecrackers," Pallavi recalled. After encountering the assailants, she pleaded, "Shoot me too." Instead, they spared her, saying, "Tell PM Modi." Pallavi noted that while Hindus were targeted, local Muslims were spared after reciting Bismillah. "Four local Muslims helped us reach a hospital," she said, with one even carrying her son for a mile. She also criticised the lack of security and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "respond appropriately," stressing the need for preventive measures over blame.