3-year-old Gursharan cremated at home in Punjab

Kotkapura, Punjab: Hundreds of people from all walks of life today joined the funeral procession of three-year-old Gursharan Singh Channa, who was killed in Australia, as his mortal remains were consigned to flames.

The body, which was brought by the toddler's parents from Melbourne yesterday, was taken by the mourners from the parental house to Rambagh cremation ground after passing through the main streets of the town.

Apart from friends and relatives of the Channa family, locals, representatives of all major political parties, NGOs and senior officers of district administration were present to share the grief of his inconsolable parents - father Harjit Singh Channa and mother Harpreet Kaur. After the prayers by a Sikh cleric, the pyre was lit by Harjit.

Gurshan went missing from his house at Melbourne on March 4 and later his body was found dumped on the outskirts of the town.

Gursewak Dhillon, 23, a resident of the home where the boy and his parents were also staying, has been charged with manslaughter by criminal negligence over the child's death. He claims that he accidentally knocked the boy down before dumping him 20 kms away from his residence.