Par attack victims' families threaten to return medals to Kalam

New Delhi, Nov 24 (UNI) Families of the Parliament attack victims today threatened to return bravery medals to President A P J Abdul Kalam if the Government does not reject the clemency pleas of death- row convict Mohammad Afzal Guru by December 13.

''The medals that we received was an honour for our loved ones who sacrificed their lives protecting the pride of the nation. But if the Government does not turn down Afzal's clemency pleas, we will have no option but to return the bravery medals to the President,'' said Ms Jayawati, widow of Delhi police head constable Bijender Singh, at a joint press conference with All India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) chief M S Bitta and families of other victims.

Nine security personnel were killed in the terrorist strike on Parliament during the winter session on December 13 2001.

Mr Bitta said he would move the court to seek reopening of case against Professor S A R Geelani, who he accused of defending Afzal after his own acquittal in the same case.

''Geelani's defence of Afzal is also surprising. We will also file a PIL seeking reopening of case against him as there were numerous weaknesses in his prosecution," Mr Bitta said.

Sardar Singh, whose son head constable Om Prakash was killed in the terror attack, said calls for clemency to Afzal were "encouraging" terror in the country.

''Those who say nobody has a right to kill anybody in the name of execution in fact suggest that only terrorists can kill innocents...

We will go to the President along with Mr Bitta to return the medals if the Government does not reject Afzal's plea by December 13 (the anniversary of the Parliament attack)," he added.

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