BARNALA: Former Punjab chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala was today cremated with full state honours at his native village Barnala. His son and ex-MLA Gaganjit Singh and grandson Samarpratap Singh jointly lit the pyre. Later, Barnala's body was taken to the cremation ground at his native village Barnala. Barnala took over reins of the state in the difficult period when militancy was at its peak in the mid-80s. Barnala, who served as chief minister from 1985 to 1987, was admitted to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh.

Source: Economic Times January 15, 2017 13:04 UTC