GORAKHPUR, June 19 -- Grief gripped Deoria's Surauli village on Thursday as six-year-old Samar Chaurasia performed the last rites of his father, Shivanand Chaurasia, an engine fitter who was among three Indian seafarers killed in a US strike on the oil tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman on June 10. The emotional scenes at Gaura Ghat in Barhaj town left mourners in tears as the child lit the funeral pyre of his 38-year-old father. Thousands of villagers, relatives and well-wishers gathered to pay their final respects. Shivanand's mortal remains reached the village late on Wednesday evening after an eight-day wait, triggering an outpouring of grief. Family members broke down upon seeing the body. His wife and sister reportedly fainted, while his father, Ram Chaurasia, was inconsolable. The family initially refused to conduct the cremation, demanding Rs.1 crore compensation, a government job for the deceased's widow and financial assistance for the family. The situation remained tense for several hours. Deoria district magistrate Madhusudan Hulgi and superintendent of police (SP) Abhijit R. Shankar held discussions with the family for nearly two hours and assured them of all possible government assistance. Following the talks, the family agreed to proceed with the last rites. Shivanand was working aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello when it came under attack in the Gulf of Oman. His death has sparked widespread grief across Deoria district, with political leaders, public representatives and local residents visiting the family to offer condolences. HTC...