Both the Houses of Parliament today paid homage to the martyrs, who laid down their lives during a terrorist attack on Parliament House on this day in 2001.
Making a reference in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Ms Meira Kumar called for renewing efforts to combat the threat of terrorism in all forms and reaffirm the pledge to protect the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country.
In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Hamid Ansari recalled the supreme sacrifices made by the security personnel, including two from Parliament Security Service of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, in preventing the entry of terrorists inside the Parliament House Building.
He asked the members to join him in condemning the incident in unequivocal terms. Members in both the Houses observed silence as a mark of respect to the memory of those who lost their lives in the terror attack.
A special commemorative function was held in Parliament complex this morning. Vice-President Mohd Hamid Ansari, who led the nation in paying tributes to the martyrs, reiterated the firm resolve to fight terrorism.
Prime Minister Dr. Singh offered floral tributes at their portraits. He was joined by Lok Sabha Speaker Miera Kumar and several of his Cabinet colleagues.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Senior BJP Leader L. K. Advani, leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitely were among those who offered tributes.
After paying tributes, Law Minister Salman Khurshid called for fast tracking the justice delivery system and said such a heinous attack cannot be forgotten so easily.
Senior BJP leader L. K. Advani said the perpetrators of the attack should be brought to justice.
Five security personnel of the Delhi Police, one woman constable of CRPF and two security assistants of the Parliament Security Service were killed in the attack. A gardener of the CPWD also lost his life in the incident. The security personnel had bravely fought back and foiled their nefarious attempt and eliminated five Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists.
