12-13-2006, 03:02 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Widows set to return medals today </b>
Pioneer.com
Staff Reporter | New Delhi
ZARA YAAD KARO QURBANI - 5th anniversary of attack on Parliament
Anguished families of Parliament attack victims are all set to make a fervent plea for justice to the President of India on the fifth anniversary of the ghastly incident.
<b>A day after threatening to return the medals, December 13, 2001 victims' families are congregating at the India Gate on Wednesday to protest against the failure of the Government to take a decision on hanging of Mohammad Afzal, the prime accused in the case, which had rocked the nation. Â
They would also surrender the medals. "We will march to the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday morning and if the President declines to meet us then all the widows and family members of the martyrs will march towards India Gate. </b>
"Around noon, we'll keep the medals and awards with full honour at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. We are not indifferent to the medals but are distressed at the indifferent attitude of the Government. They laid their lives for the nation and all we want from the Government is to consider their sacrifices. Hang Afzal," said Ganga Devi, widow of ASI Nanak Chand of Delhi Police, who died in the attack on December 13, 2001.
<b>Family members of nine security personnel and one photo-journalist who lost their lives while on duty in Parliament precincts have the backing of several organisations, including former director of Intelligence Bureau Ajit K Doval, and MS Bitta, chairman of Anti-Terrorist Front. </b>
"Afzal is getting a lot of support from various organisations who are trying to save him from the gallows but we would not let this happen," said Bitta.
The families also alleged that the matter was being delayed unnecessarily by the ministry. Even Jaspal Rana, who has just brought laurels to the nation, has put his signatures on a large board reading "Afzal ko phansi honi chahiye (Afzal should be hanged)" as part of an AIATF campaign for the execution of the death-row prisoner, whose clemency petition is pending with the President.Â
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Pioneer.com
Staff Reporter | New Delhi
ZARA YAAD KARO QURBANI - 5th anniversary of attack on Parliament
Anguished families of Parliament attack victims are all set to make a fervent plea for justice to the President of India on the fifth anniversary of the ghastly incident.
<b>A day after threatening to return the medals, December 13, 2001 victims' families are congregating at the India Gate on Wednesday to protest against the failure of the Government to take a decision on hanging of Mohammad Afzal, the prime accused in the case, which had rocked the nation. Â
They would also surrender the medals. "We will march to the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday morning and if the President declines to meet us then all the widows and family members of the martyrs will march towards India Gate. </b>
"Around noon, we'll keep the medals and awards with full honour at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. We are not indifferent to the medals but are distressed at the indifferent attitude of the Government. They laid their lives for the nation and all we want from the Government is to consider their sacrifices. Hang Afzal," said Ganga Devi, widow of ASI Nanak Chand of Delhi Police, who died in the attack on December 13, 2001.
<b>Family members of nine security personnel and one photo-journalist who lost their lives while on duty in Parliament precincts have the backing of several organisations, including former director of Intelligence Bureau Ajit K Doval, and MS Bitta, chairman of Anti-Terrorist Front. </b>
"Afzal is getting a lot of support from various organisations who are trying to save him from the gallows but we would not let this happen," said Bitta.
The families also alleged that the matter was being delayed unnecessarily by the ministry. Even Jaspal Rana, who has just brought laurels to the nation, has put his signatures on a large board reading "Afzal ko phansi honi chahiye (Afzal should be hanged)" as part of an AIATF campaign for the execution of the death-row prisoner, whose clemency petition is pending with the President.Â
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