Soldier’s body reaches Vizag

Visakhapatnam: The body of Balla Appalaraju (35) working as an army soldier in Basant Brigade in Mehdipatnam Garrison, who allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle on Monday morning, was brought to his residence at Ramalayam street, Vepagunta by the army men on Tuesday. A pall of gloom descended on Raju’s native place.

The family members and the residents staged a protest with the body at the BRTS road near Vepagunta Junction of Pendurthi mandal paralysing the heavy vehicular traffic. They alleged that Appalaraju was innocent and was dragged into the incident and was harassed by the police. After performing rituals, the family members had an argument with the army officials for not performing any official gun-salute at the rituals which should be done for the army people before cremation. However, the army officials said an official gun-salute would not be performed in suicide cases.

The victim’s mother Mutyalamma, brother Mutyalayya and wife Anasuya said Appalaraju was innocent and held the police and army authorities responsible for the suicide. “He was detained and harassed by the police many times,” alleged Anasuya.

Appalaraju is survived by two children Nishanth (8), Praneetha (2) and wife. He served in the Army for 14 years.