Karnataka - Bangalore

Achuthanandan meets Sandeep’s family

BANGALORE: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan arrived here on Sunday and met the family of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan who died fighting terrorists at The Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.

Mr. Achuthanandan and Mr. Balakrishnan, who were on their way to Thiruvananthapuram after attending the Polit Bureau meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in New Delhi, made a brief stopover in Bangalore.

Mr. Achuthanandan expressed condolences to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s mother, Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan. The Chief Minister paid his respects by garlanding a photo of the martyr.

On Saturday, Mr. Achuthanandan came under criticism by the media in Kerala for not making it to the funeral in Bangalore. Mr. Achuthanandan reportedly expressed regret at not being able to attend the funeral. Sources said that he told Ms. Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan that her son’s death was a loss to the nation and his act would not be forgotten. The visit lasted about five minutes.

The martyr’s father, K. Unnikrishnan, reportedly refused to speak to the visitors. A relative, who spoke to The Hindu, said that he was trying to cope with the loss of his son.

“He had been maintaining composure for the past few days. It has been a difficult time for him and the family. This is why he is requesting to be left alone,” the relative said.

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister A.K. Antony expressed condolences to Ms. Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan.

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