Date:12/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/12/stories/2006111201580500.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Tributes paid to jawan

Staff Correspondent

He died rescuing flood-hit people

Belgaum: A large number of people paid tributes to Baburam Pattar here on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Jawan belonging to the Belgaum-based Maratha Light Infantry was drowned in floodwaters while rescuing villagers in Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh on November 4.

Sources said Baburam was among the 40-member Army team which was rushed from Secunderabad to the flood-affected areas in Nalgonda district. Baburam drowned after his rescue boat overturned. The sources said he could have been physically exhausted after rescuing six persons.

Army personnel brought the body here on Friday in a military van. It was later taken in a ceremonial procession to the funeral pyre with people raising slogans in Baburam's honour.