Jammu: National Conference leader and former minister Sardar Harbans Singh passed away at a private hospital in Jammu early Monday, his family said. He was 84.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary visited Singh’s residence to offer their condolences to the bereaved family and later joined mourners at his cremation. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah also expressed grief over Singh’s demise.
Singh, who was appointed as political advisor to the NC president in December last year, is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.
Singh’s elder son, Kulwant Singh, told PTI that his father had been unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment at the Jammu hospital, where he breathed his last around 2 am.
Singh served as cabinet minister in the government headed by Farooq Abdullah from 1996 to 2002.
The chief minister, along with Surinder Choudhary and NC provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta, visited the Gandhi Nagar residence of the veteran leader and offered condolences to his family.
The leaders later attended Singh’s last rites at the Shastri Nagar cremation ground at 5 pm. Leaders belonging to different political parties, including BJP’s Vikram Randhawa and PDP’s Varinder Singh Sonu, also joined the mourners.
Recalling his distinguished service, the chief minister termed his demise a great loss to Jammu Kashmir.
NC President also expressed deep sorrow over the passing away of his political advisor and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
The NC provincial president said, “his invaluable contribution and dedicated service to society will always be remembered.”
He prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.
