New Delhi, February 9
Family members of Parliament attack incident in December 2001 today heaved a sigh of relief after the convict Afzal Guru was hanged here today.
Saying that the hanging was a good decision, they used the old adage “der aayad, durust aayad (better late than never)” to express relief while talking to the media at the residence of MS Bitta, chairman of the Anti-Terrorist Front who has been fighting for the last 12 years for getting justice to the family members of Parliament attack victims.
Kalpa Devi, wife of Matabar Singh Negi, an employee of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) who was in the Watch and Ward staff of Parliament on that fateful day, said hanging of Afzal Guru was a good decision by the government. It would send a strong message to terrorist groups.
“We came to know about the hanging through TV. We got justice today. All those involved in such cases of terrorism should be hanged like Afzal and Kasab,” she
said.
Somati Devi, wife of Delhi Police Sub-Inspector Ghanshyam, said, “I have got justice today after a long struggle of 12 years. We met President Abdul Kalam and returned the posthumous award given to my husband. We said that until the convicts of the dastardly attack are hanged, we will not accept the award. We got justice today. Now we will try to meet the President again to express our gratitude and to take the award back, she said.
Her son Bachchu Singh said “though my father has sacrificed his life protecting Parliament and national leaders inside the Parliament House, I have not been given financial help. One of my brothers has been given job by the Delhi Police but we four are still unemployed. My mother has been allotted a petrol station but it is useless as it is in remote area”, he said.
Sunita Devi, wife of Vikram Bisht, an ANI cameraman, said, “I had been suffering for the last 12 years after the death of my husband who was the only bread-winner in the family. My family was crippled economically. At times, we had nothing to eat. I am satisfied today though the hanging of Afzal Guru happened late. But it is a good decision.” The others, who celebrated the hanging were Sardar Singh, father of Om Prakash, head constable in Delhi Police, Munis Devi wife of late Desraj, a gardner.
Sonepat: While reacting on the hanging of Afzal Guru, Ganga Devi, widow of ASI Nanak Chand of Delhi police, said that finally they had got justice. While talking to media persons at her house in Rathdhana village, she said that after hanging of Ajmal Kasab, a hope had been generated that Afzal Guru would also meet a similar fate. It came true today. She said the perpetrators of such heinous crimes must be punished at the earliest to give a strong message to the people harbouring evil designs. “Guru’s hanging will give peace to the soul of the martyrs who laid down their lives while fighting against the terrorists,” she added.
States on alert
The Union Home Ministry has issued an advisory to all state police forces to keep a tight vigil and remain alert. Sources said the advisory has asked police forces to maintain a high level of security and ensure law and order is maintained and regulated without any problem. PTI
