Country Remembers 26/11 Victims, LS Resolves to Fight, Defeat Terror

On first anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, country unites in remembering victims of the strikes, with Lok Sabha passing a resolution to unitedly fight and defeat the forces of terrorism which pose the ‘gravest threat to humanity’, and people all over the country remembering martyrs through various programmes.

The Lok Sabha observed two minutes silence to remember those killed in the 26/11 terror strike passed a resolution asking the government to take all necessary steps to wipe out the scourge of terrorism from the country.

Moved by Speaker Meira Kumar, the resolution said: “This house resolved to unitedly fight and defeat the forces of terrorism and never again allow them to spill the blood of innocent people.

“Terrorism is the gravest threat to humanity and a total negation of values which men hold dear. This house is of the same view that with strong will and determined action we will be able to effectively counter terrorism,” she said.

The speaker said the house shared the sorrow and grief of all those families who lost their near and dear ones in the terror attack that left 166 Indians and foreigners dead.

The speaker also stressed the urgent need to mobilise the resources and coordinate actions by all countries to track down and eliminate “enemies of mankind”.

In Mumbai, at the Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) Station, with the Railway Police standing by, people came and pay their respects to the martyrs through the day.

A blood donation camp was held at the CST.  Prayers were also offered at the station – porters, Railwaymen and others connected with the station visited to lay wreaths, some in tears, all saying they would never forget. Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan was an early visitor.

Also, Mumbaikars went to school, college and office as any other day, sending the strongest possible signal that they would not be deterred by terror. Thousands of commuters rushing to their offices halted to pay respects to those who slaughtered in the attacks on the CST.

People also gathered at Nariman House, where six people including a Rabbi and his wife were held hostage in a 45-hour siege and then killed by terrorists.

And while Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and his cabinet colleagues visited the precincts of the Hotel Trident-Oberoi at Nariman Point to offer homage to the victims killed there, a group of people gathered outside the Leopold Cafe in Colaba – where the first attack was launched on this day last year.

The Force One – the new crack security force of the State government launched here last two days ago (Tuesday) – made its first public appearance by staging a parade from Nariman Point to Chowpatty this morning.

Later in the day, Chavan attended a memorial organised by the Indian Merchants Chamber where the corporate world will pay homage to the 26/11 victims.

Last night, the Citizens Initiative for Peace organised a candle-light march to Hotel Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.

This evening, the ravaged Chabad House, a Jewish community centre would be reopened with a commemorative prayer meeting which will be webcast live.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram is scheduled to inaugurate a memorial to honour the martyrs erected by the Mumbai police Thursday evening and also attend a condolence meeting at the Sahyadri State Guest House.

The state has also organised an all-religious prayer meeting at the Gateway of India in the evening that will be attended by prominent members of society and the masses.

There are many other moments of silence, remembering and mourning slated all over the day.

In Delhi, a number of candle light vigils and discussions are being held in Delhi to salute brave defence officials who were killed a year ago.

In one such commemorative ‘lighting a candle’ ceremony, youngsters from as many as 10 countries will gather at the Scope Complex on Thursday evening to pay tribute to the victims of the 26/11 attacks and salute the courage of those who fought the terrorists.

The youngsters – who hail from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Egypt, New Zealand and others, apart from India – are a part of the Indian Model United Nations Conference (INMUN), a simulation of the United Nations Assembly.

The United Muslim Morcha, an NGO, has also organised a commemorative function.