By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Hyderabad: Sub-inspector J D Siddaiah, who lost his life after a violent encounter with alleged fugitive SIMI men at Nalgonda district, received full state honors at his Namaz-e-Janaza on Wednesday.
Huge congregation of local Muslims turned up for his funeral prayer that was performed at Madinatul Uloom mosque at his native Jadcherla town in Mahbubnagar district.
At Badepally Muslim graveyard, the police department organised 21 gun salutes for the deceased policeman. Apart from top police officers, including Director General of Police Anurag Sharma, many heavy weight politicians also turned up for his last rites.
Deputy Chief Minister Mehmood Ali, Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao, C Lakshma Reddy, PCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy and former ministers D K Aruna and Jana Reddy were present during funeral prayer.
Sub Inspector Siddaiah, 30, belonged to Dudekula Dalit Muslim community. He was fondly called Siddiqu at his home. Originally from Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, his family shifted to their current home at Jadcherla two decades ago. He completed MBA then joined police force, his passion since childhood. His first posting was Atmakur police station in Nalgonda district where he served till his last breath.
Siddaiah received three bullet injuries in April 4 encounter where two alleged fugitive SIMI men from Khandwa prison Aijazuddin and Aslam were killed along with police constable Naga Raju. Circle Inspector Gopi Reddy received a bullet injury but he survived.
Siddaiah was immediately shifted to Kamineni Hospital in Hyderabad for intensive care treatment. During his treatment, Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao, Home Minister Narsimha Reddy and Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Bandaru Dattatreyya visited the hospital to inquire about his health conditions.
Siddaiah’s image of lying on hospital bed, fighting for his life, became a symbol for regional Telugu media, policemen and many politicians alike that pressurised the state government to go harsh on ‘terrorists’.
The critically injured officer battled for his life for three days before succumbing to the injuries on Tuesday afternoon. Interestingly, news of his death coincided with state police killing five under trail terror accused in their custody in an alleged encounter, which is widely believed by civil society to be faked, aimed by police to avenge the death of their personnel in an earlier encounter.
Chief Minster K Chandrashekar Rao, in his condolence message to bereaved family stated: “The news of Siddaiah breathing his last disturbed and shocked me badly. It is unfortunate that the doctors’ efforts to save his life proved futile at the end. Siddaiah dared his life in his attempt to nab the terrorists who are posing a threat to the society. The valour exhibited by Siddaiah would not only inspire the police but also the citizens too. He would remain in the memory of people for ever as the one who enhanced the reputation of the police and reflected dedication to his duties.”
The Chief Minister also assured the family of Siaddaiah that the state government would extend all necessary help including financial assistance. Telangana government has already provided an ex-gratia amount of Rs 40 lakh to dead cop’s family. Siddaiah is survived by his wife, mother, two brothers and a four-day-old baby boy, born on the fateful day of encounter.