Bengalureans join in thousands to mourn Pulwama attack

Members of various organisation stage a candlelight protest in front of Town Hall on Friday against the terrorists attack on Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Pulwama. DH photo/S K Dinesh

Paying tributes to 49 CRPF personnel martyred in a dastardly fidayeen attack on Thursday in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of Bengalureans joined the rest of the nation on Friday evening and held peaceful demonstrations, silent marches and candlelight vigil across the city.

Shouting anti-terrorists and anti-Pakistan slogans students, women, traders, NGOs, various resident welfare associations (RWAs), political leaders and celebrities exerted pressure on the Centre to retaliate against the cowardly attack on CRPF jawans.

United under various banners, public gathered in large numbers at the Town Hall, Freedom Park, Dr Rajkumar Memorial, War Memorial at Brigade and Residency Road junction and stood in silence for minutes mourning the death of the Bravehearts.

Traders Associations of Chickpet took out a protest and candlelight march till the Town Hall with hundreds of traders expressing their solidarity. The busy commercial area almost witnessed impromptu bandh with several joining the march holding a candle.

“We will stand by the Indian Army. We only request the government to wipe out terrorism completely and teach Pakistan a lesson,” said Sajjan Raj Mehta, a member of the association.

With social media platforms abuzz with the messages about candlelight marches and seeking people to come out in large numbers, thousands of people, children had come out in support. “Talks will not take us anywhere. The Centre must understand this and retaliate the attack. If we do not fight back now, when are we putting an end to the terror?” questioned Madhusoodhan, a techie who joined more than 150 people at the War Memorial to take part in a candlelight vigil.

Several schools paid their tributes to the soldiers by observing silence during the morning prayers.

Several RWAs from Bengaluru South and East took to streets and staged a silent demonstration by holding candles. Sukruth, a resident of Kenchenahalli in Rajarajeshwari Nagar said: “Our men were only protecting us by being vigilant at the borders. But for no mistake of them, they have been killed. How long will this continue, and we need to end this forever. The government must strike back and kill everyone who masterminded this attack.”

Similarly, students, teaching and non-teaching faculty of the IISc marched from the main building to the Swimming Pool Road by holding candles. Members of Uttishta Bharata also held a silent protest in front of Dr Rajkumar Memorial in Nandini Layout.

BBMP to donate Rs 20L to slain CRPF jawan's family

BBMP corporators will donate a month's honorarium to H Guru, 33, the CRPF jawan from Mandya district who's feared to have been killed in the militant attack in Pulwama on Thursday. Guru hailed from a remote hamlet Gudigere in Mandya district.

All the 198 corporators, including the mayor, the deputy mayor and standing committee chairpersons, will donate a one-month honorarium (which amounts to Rs 20 lakh) to Guru's family. Approval will be taken from the BBMP council and the money will be handed over to Guru's family, Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun said.

Guru was one of 49 security personnel killed in the suicide attack in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. He was a member of the 82nd battalion of the CRPF.