STATE TIMES NEWS
Jammu: Director General (Prisons) Hemant K Lohia was cremated with full state honours on Wednesday, two days after he was found murdered by a domestic helper. Lohia, a 1992-batch IPS officer, was found dead with his throat slit at his friend’s house on the outskirts of Jammu City late Monday night.
The accused, 23-year-old Yasir Lohar domestic help at the house, was arrested from a field in Kanhachak on Tuesday following a major manhunt.
“No terror angle has emerged during investigation of the case of murder of H K Lohia. Interrogation of the accused is in progress. His disclosures are being corroborated with field investigation,” the ADGP Mukesh Singh said in a brief statement.
The body of the slain officer was handed over to his family this morning for last rites after completion of legal and medical formalities. Later, a coffin carrying the mortal remains of the officer and wrapped in the Tricolour, was taken to District Police Lines (DPL) Jammu, where a wreath laying ceremony was held to pay homage to him.
Senior police officers, his batch mates, civil officers, businessmen, prominent citizens and media persons turned up and offered tributes to the departed officer. Hundreds of people also joined them in paying their last respects.
His family members including wife Madhu Lohia, daughter and son were present at the wreath laying ceremony, which witnessed emotional scenes as many of his relatives broke down. “It is a very unfortunate incident as we have lost a dynamic and courageous officer. His departure is a big loss for the J&K police and the nation as a whole and the void left by him is impossible to be fulfilled,” many said during the wreath laying ceremony.
After the wreath laying ceremony, the mortal remains of the officer were taken to the Jogi gate crematorium. The body was consigned to the flames amid gun salutes.