Public apathy marks 26/11 anniversary as leaders pay homage

Five years after Mumbai was brought to its knees in a hail of gunfire and grenade blasts by 10 Pakistani terrorists, the nightmare continues to haunt the survivors and families of victims of 26/11 attack but appears to have begun fading from public memory.

Though some solemn ceremonies were organised to pay tributes to the fallen heroes and victims of the most brazen terror assault in the country, there was no public outpouring of grief and outrage, no gigantic posters of bravehearts who laid down their lives in the line of duty in street corners for passersby to pay homage.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, his deputy Ajit Pawar, Home Minister R R Patil and Union Minister Shashi Tharoor were prominent among those who paid floral tributes to martyrs at the Police Memorial at Marine Lines in Mumbai.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde deplored that Pakistan had not yet punished the plotters of the attack facing trial in that country despite India giving enough evidence.

"We have handed over all the relevant proof to Pakistan. We are urging them to take quick and urgent action against the perpetrators of 26/11 attack," he told reporters in Delhi.

Shinde said for expediting the trial in Pakistan, India had permitted a judicial commission from there to visit the country twice to examine and take statements of investigating officers and others in connection with the case.

He also said despite repeated appeals, Pakistan has not taken any action to dismantle terror infrastructure.

Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi expressed disappointment at the Centre's failure to bring the real perpetrators of 26/11 attacks to justice.

"Centre's failure to bring the real perpetrators of 26/11 to justice is disappointing. It is high time Centre acts decisively," Modi said in a series of tweets today.

"26/11 is a grim reminder of the security threat India faces. Let us assure families of the victims that sacrifice of their near ones will not go in vain. Time to work towards a stronger & safer India," he said.