PC reminds Pakistan of its 26/11 promises
Kavita Karkare, the wife of slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare, pays tributes to the martyrs of the November 26, 2008 terror attack
Criticising Pakistan for its lacklustre approach towards investigating the 26/11 attacks, Union home minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said India would need to be extra cautious about Pakistan as it has failed to keep its word to hand over the seven identified terrorists. “While India trusts its neighbours, we must be on guard,” Mr Chidambaram said during a function here to honour the 26/11 martyrs’ families.
The Union home minister was in Mumbai to commemorate the occasion of the terror attacks and hand over the operations of the Mahanagar Gas Ltd’s CNG outlet at Magathane to martyred police constable Tukaram Omble’s family.
“On a day like this, while we renew our pledge that we will do everything to secure the citizens, it is my duty to caution the people that they have a neighbour who has not fulfilled its promises to the country,” he said. The Union home minister added that India is not ambitious and only wishes to live in harmony. “India wishes prosperity for all nations in South Asia, but it is important that we guard our country too,” he said.
“Pakistan made many promises to India. We were assured justice following the 26/11 attacks. Further, we were also assured that all the seven people whom we have identified as suspects would be arrested and that their voice samples would be sent to us. However, nothing has been done so far. I hope that Pakistan, as a nation and a government, will realise its promise and fulfil the same,” Mr Chidambaram said.
The Union home minister also showered praise on Omble, who caught Kasab alive so that the police could gather information from him and learn of Pakistan’s involvement in the attacks. “Omble’s work was commendable. He was unarmed when he faced two gun-carrying terrorists. If Kasab had died, there would have been no conclusive link to Pakistan. The fact that he is alive has helped us identify the source of the terror attack.”
He also raised concerns about the poor state of affairs in the police. “At present, there are 3,000 vacancies for constables in the country. The state should provide the police force with good weapons, salaries, housing, uniforms and shoes too. I hope Maharashtra does its best for its police force and sets an example for the rest of the country,” he said.
Earlier, accompanied by Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar, Mr Chidambaram placed wreaths at the memorial at Police Gymkhana.
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