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Onkar Singh in New Delhi
The cremation of the slain Samajwadi Party leader, Phoolan Devi would take place in Mirzapur on Thursday afternoon.
This was stated by Phoolan's husband Umed Singh.
Earlier in the morning, there was a dispute whether the cremation would take place in Delhi or Mirzapur.
Phoolan's family was insisting that the cremation should take place in New Delhi.
The body will be taken from her official residence at 11.30 am, 44 Ashoka Road, New Delhi to the Palam Airport and it would be flown to Varanasi in a special plane from there the body would be taken by road for cremation.
Moreover, Assistant Commissioner of Police AS Bhalla also confirmed to rediff.com that differences over the cremation have been sorted out.
The Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited the residence of Phoolan Devi on Thursday morning to pay his respects to the departed soul. The former prime minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh and leader of the opposition Sonia Gandhi paid homage on Thursday morning.
A large crowd of Phoolan supporters are present at her residence. But they are totally unaware of the decision that the cremation would take place at Mirzapur.
The Samajwadi Party leaders are also camping at Phoolan's residence to ensure that everything passes of smoothly till the body is taken to Palam Airport.
The family members and the Samajwadi Party leaders are expected to fly down to Mirzapur for cremation.
Speaking to reporters, Mulayam Singh Yadav said since Phoolan Devi represented Mirzapur it is proper that her funeral takes place there.
He asked the party members to maintain peace and remain calm in the hour of crisis.
He also criticised the security lapse on the part of Delhi police and blamed the Uttar Pradesh and the Central government for withdrawing Phoolan's security.
Complete coverage of the Phoolan Devi killing
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