NEW DELHI: The All-India Anti Terrorist Front on Friday honoured families of victims who lost their lives in last year's pre-diwali blasts here. It also paid homage to the security personnel and others who were killed in the attack on the Parliament in 2001. The AIATF also announced adoption of those orphaned in the blasts at Sarojini Nagar and Paharganj.

Organised at Vigyan Bhawan, the programme saw a large number of people coming together to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the two terrorist attacks, pledging to fight terrorism and working for national integration and peace in the country. Several dignitaries including Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shatrughan Sinha and former Punjab police chief K.P.S. Gill were also present.

AIATF chairman M.S. Bitta presented cheques for Rs.1 lakh each to three children -- Manisha (10), Kirti Mehra (9) and Ishika (3), who were orphaned in the Sarojini Nagar blast last year. The same amount was paid to Vinod Poddar who lost his son in the blast and whose daughter was seriously injured, and also to DTC bus driver Kuldeep Singh, who was injured while removing a bomb from his bus. Similarly, civilians who saved many lives of many people at the blast sites were given also honoured with various awards. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sinha said people should be inspired by the acts of Mr. Bitta and come out in large numbers to help and support victims of terrorism. He said fast-track courts should be set up to try terror cases. He, however, said he was against capital punishment. "As an artist, I am not in favour of sentencing anybody to death." He added that when death sentence has a constitutional mandate in India, it was surprising to see people seeking clemency for Mohammad Afzal who waged war against the nation, he added.

Stressing the need for more global cooperation to tackle the menace of terrorism, Mr. Bitta said terrorism was spreading fast in the country and therefore all Indians need to stand united to defeat the so that the nefarious designs of terrorists could be defeated. Lambasting For those who were pressing for clemency for Mohammad Afzal, he said: "It would not only be an insult to our martyrs and brave soldiers who were fighting terrorists but also embolden terrorists in the country."

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