Excise constable’s funeral held with State honours

The funeral of Excise constable Gajula Sowmya, who succumbed to injuries sustained in an alleged attack by ganja smugglers, was held with full State honours at her native village on Sunday.

The funeral of Prohibition & Excise constable Gajula Sowmya, who succumbed to injuries sustained in an alleged attack by ganja smugglers in Nizamabad on January 23, was held with full State honours at her native village Mosra in that district on Sunday.

Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, government advisers P. Sudarshan Reddy and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Excise Department Principal Secretary Raghunandan Rao, Collector Ila Tripathi, Nizamabad Police Commissioner Sai Chaitanya, and several officials paid floral tributes to the young constable.

Speaking to her bereaved family, Minister Krishna Rao assured that the government would extend all possible support. Calling the 24-year-old’s courage exceptional and her death a loss to society, he vowed that her sacrifice would not go in vain. He said stringent action would be taken against those responsible for the attack.

Banswada MLA and Adviser to the State government, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, and Nizamabad CP Sai Chaitnya carrying the bier of Sowmya. | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

The Minister announced ₹1 crore ex-gratia, government job for a family member and a full pension equivalent to her salary and allowances for the remainder of her service period. He added that the government is considering providing weapons to Excise personnel to prevent such incidents in future.

Earlier in the day, the Excise Minister also visited Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad, where her body was taken for post-mortem examination. Mr.Rao said that Sowmya displayed exceptional courage and commitment while confronting those involved in ganja smuggling, and described her conduct in the line of duty as exemplary and inspiring. He informed that Excise Department employees have decided to give their one day’s salary to the bereaved family.