The Hindu : New Delhi News : ‘Decide soon on Afzal’s hanging’

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Saturday, Jul 21, 2007
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‘Decide soon on Afzal’s hanging’

Staff Reporter

Photo: Anu Pushkarna

“What price medals?’: All-India Anti Terrorist Front chairman M. S. Bitta flanked by the family members of martyrs of Parliament attack addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI: All-India Anti Terrorist Front chairman M. S. Bitta on Friday demanded a time-bound decision by the Union Government on the hanging of Afzal Guru, prime accused in the terrorist attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Bitta said: “The bravery medals awarded to members of the victims’ families have been returned, yet the Government has not taken a decision on the matter. This is highly unfortunate considering the supreme sacrifice made by those while defending Parliament.”

Outlining the AITF’s agenda after the new President enters Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mr. Bitta said: “After a week of the new President being sworn in, we will seek an appointment and express our demand for Afzal’s hanging by December. Or else we would request the President to keep the returned bravery medals in the National Museum so that the next generation knows how the sacrifices of the brave soldiers who saved the symbol of our democracy were mocked at by the Government. We would also file public interest litigation in court, demanding a law to prevent appeal files of such cases from landing in the hands of politicians.”

Seeking justice

Family members of the victims of the terrorist attack also attended the conference and voiced their demand for Afzal’s hanging. Prem Yadav, widow of J. P. Yadav who died in the attack, said: “We are confident that the final decision will be in our favour and finally we will get justice with Afzal’s hanging. We will not step back from our demand and let the sacrifice given by my husband go waste.”

“Even if the decision is not made in our favour, I will not think twice before letting my 10-year-old son join the Delhi police and defend our motherland just like his late father,” she added.

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