Hanging of Afzal Guru a moment of great happiness: Martyr's widow

The hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru has given "great happiness" to the family of martyr J P Yadav, who now wish to get back the 'Ashok Chakra' awarded posthumously to Yadav which they had returned in 2006.

"This is a day of great happiness for me and my family. We got justice and I can not explain in words that how relieved we are today," Yadav's widow Prem said.

"Death penalty was the right decision for Afzal Guru but the execution was delayed so we (family members of all martyrs) collectively decided to return the medals to Rastrapati Bhawan in 2006 and today we got justice, so we should get back the medals now," she said.

Yadav was Security Assistant in Rajya Sabha when he laid down his life in the gun battle on December 13, 2001 to defend the Parliament building from terrorists and for his bravery, Yadav was conferred Ashok Chakra posthumously in 2002.

"Guru was not allowed clemency and executed hence the gallantry awards which were given earlier will be a homage and honour in true sense to the martyrs now," Prem, a private school teacher and mother of two, said.

She said she would speak to the family of other martyrs and write to President seeking appointment to meet him.

Yadav belonged to Sikar district in Rajasthan.

His 80-year-old father Kanhaiya Yadav and 75-year-old mother Simli Devi live with their elder son Mohan Lal, who is a farmer, in Neem Ka Thana town.

"It is certainly a welcoming move and has given happiness to not only us but all those who lost their loved ones in the attack in 2001," the martyr's brother Mohan said.

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