Author: Neeraj Chauhan
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: October 1, 2006
In two more months, it will be five years
since terrorists attacked the seat of Indian democracy - Parliament House.
The final verdict in the case, as of now, is also out. Of the four arrested
for conspiracy, one has been sentenced to death. Two have walked free and
one has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. It's now season for a debate
whether Mohammed Afzal deserves the death sentence. Human rights groups have
their knives out, calling the sentence barbaric. Peaceniks fear the sentence
will hamper the never-ending peace talks. But nobody is talking of the 10
brave Indians who sacrificed their lives in defence of Indian Parliament.
Kamlesh Kumari, aged 32, left behind a three-year-old
daughter with her tailor husband Avdesh, to stand guard at Parliament on December
13, 2001. She fought till the end.
Constable Kamlesh, of 88 Mahila Battalion
of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was posted near the X-ray machine at
Gate No 1 of the Parliament annexe on the fateful day. She saw the ambassador,
DL 3C J 1527, heading from Vijay Chowk towards the gate. Kamlesh was the first
security personnel to walk up to the car, laden with a deadly cargo and driven
by men with the sole agenda of spreading terror and mayhem.
Alert and reflexes working double time, Kamlesh,
realising something was amiss, ran towards the gate to shut it. The terrorists,
their cover blown, opened fired. Eleven bullets from the blazing guns caught
the Mahila CRPF constable in her stomach. She fell. It was 11.50 in the morning.
Kamlesh's bravery prevented a human bomb among
the terrorists from executing his dastardly deed. For, the closing of Gate
No 1 and the alert that Kamlesh raised gave enough time for other security
personnel to take position and down the human bomb in a hail of bullets.
Kamlesh was the sole female casualty of the
fateful day.
Her bravery and courage towards the country
earned her the recognition and her family, a searing pride. She was awarded
the nation's highest peacetime award Ashok Chakra by the President of India
on the Republic Day in 2002.
Soon after that, Avdesh, Kamlesh's husband,
and their daughters Jyoti (15) and Shweta (7) have returned to their native
village Sikandarpur in Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. ,The family was earlier staying
in Vikaspuri. Avdesh Kumar now runs a petrol pump that was allotted to him
on her name by the Government.
Avdesh seethes at those who want the Parliament
attack mastermind Mohammad Afzal pardoned. "He should be hanged. Not
only him, but all those who have been acquitted should also be given death.
I am happy. Her soul will rest in peace only after they are punishment,"
he says.
Interestingly, Avdesh is yet to receive the
Rs 4 lakh the Delhi Government had announced for Kamlesh's family. He waits.
