New Delhi:
Kavita Karkare and Smita Salaskar, the widows of slain Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, on Monday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi here and apprised her of problems following the death of their husbands.
The hour-long meeting came three days before the first anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that left about 180 people dead. Both Karkare and Salaskar died while fighting terrorists near Cama Hospital.
"We have got assurance from her (Sonia Gandhi). She has been very supportive and emotional throughout the meeting. We have discussed all the problems of Martyrs," Karkare told reporters after the meeting.
However, she declined to give details of the meeting saying, "We do not want to reveal our personal things here." Karkare said, "We do not have much complaints. She understood our plight and the tough time we are facing and assured us of all help. We have got a very positive response from her."
Demanding that Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist captured during the attacks should be sent to the gallows, Karkare said, "all victims and martyrs families feel that he should be hanged."
When asked to comment about her husband's lost bullet proof jacket, she said "jackets have been disappeared. That is true. It should not happen again to anyone."
Karkare said she did not have any grievances against the Maharashtra government and Mumbai police.
Both were accompanied by Ravi Rana, an Independent MLA from Badnera constituency of Amravati district in Maharashtra.
Rana handed over a letter to the UPA chairperson expressing his desire to join Congress.
"We have discussed many issues with her and have got positive response," he said.