Parliament pays tribute to its saviours

Both houses of parliament Thursday paid tribute to the nine people killed when terrorists attacked parliament this day 11 years ago.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members observed a minute's silence in remembrance of the nine killed on Dec 13, 2001 when five armed Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists attacked the parliament. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) used the occasion to again press for the hanging of Afzal Guru, the prime accused in the case.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar read out a message offering tribute and condolences to the family members of the martyrs of the attack. Nine people were killed and over 15 injured in the attack.

"Every 13 December we remember those who gave their life for all political parties but one question is still unanswered - that the person who has been convicted by the Supreme Court and given death sentence has not being hanged yet," said Sushma Swaraj, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Countering the attack, the government said that the BJP should understand that the parliament does not pronounce death penalty.

"There is a legal process and parliament does not pronounce death penalty and the BJP should understand that the process has already been explained by my senior Mr. Shinde (Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde)," said Minister of State for Home R.P.N. Singh.

Amongst those who paid homage to the martyrs at a ceremony in parliament premises were Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and BJP leader L.K. Advani. - IANS