India, May 20 -- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday paid emotional tributes to former Chief Minister Major General (Retd.) Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri, calling his demise an irreparable loss for the state.

Dhami, who was attending the Central Zonal Council meeting in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, immediately returned to Dehradun after learning about Khanduri's passing on Tuesday.

Upon arrival, the Chief Minister went directly to Khanduri's residence in Basant Vihar, where he offered floral tributes and met grieving family members to express condolences.

The Uttarakhand government announced three days of state mourning and declared a one-day public holiday as a mark of respect for the veteran BJP leader and former Union min...