Date:17/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/17/stories/2007011714031400.htm

National

War veterans threaten to return medals

Staff Reporter

Call to implement Afzal's death penalty

Want Afzal to be executed within 60 days

Welcome apex court judgment on death sentence

NEW DELHI: Expressing solidarity with families of victims of the Parliament terror attack case, ex-servicemen and families of war veterans on Tuesday threatened to return their medals of valour to the Government if the death penalty awarded to Afzal Guru was not implemented soon.

They handed over their medals — including the Kirti Chakra, the Shaurya Chakra, gallantry awards and service medals for meritorious service — to All-India Anti-Terrorist Front chief M.S. Bitta at a press conference here and said they would return the decorations to the Home Minister if Afzal's execution was not carried out within 60 days.

"We stand united with the widows and families of those who died fighting the terrorists during the attack on Parliament. We will not let their sacrifice go in vain. They have given their lives for the country and punishing the guilty is the least that we can do for them," said Mohd. Asad, who fought during the Kargil war.

Mr. Asad said he was returning his service medal because he felt that "injustice" was being done to the families of the victims because of the "unwarranted delay" in carrying out the death sentence.

Ajay Singh from Bijnore and Abrisa Khatoon from Meerut also returned their Seva medal and the Kirti Chakra respectively and protested against organisations who were "raising support to save the dreaded terrorist."

"What should I do with the Kirti Chakra? The Government has done nothing for me since my husband's death in 1987. The family members of the martyrs of the December 13 attack have also suffered a lot in the aftermath of the tragedy. We share their grief and support their campaign against Afzal," Ms. Khatoon said.

Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision upholding Afzal's death sentence, Mr. Bitta urged the Government to carry out the execution without delay.

"The Government talks about curbing terrorism but when it is time to act, they do nothing. This campaign against Afzal is gaining momentum and many ex-servicemen and serving members of the various wings of the armed forces are coming forward to express their resentment to the delay," he said.