The Centre has rejected the state governments proposal to reward the Mumbai Polices bomb detection and disposal squad which was pressed into action during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks,the Bombay High Court was informed Monday. Last week,the High Court had asked the state government to inform it about the progress of the states communication to the Centre for rewarding the bomb disposal squads efforts during the 26/11 terror attacks. The Centres reply to the state government read,The proposal for award of police medal for gallantry to Steven Mathews Anthony,police inspector and 18 others of bombay detection and disposal squad,Maharashtra was considered in the ministry,but the same was not approved. A Division Bench of Justices P V Hardas and P N Deshmukh was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) by former journalist Ketan Tirodkar. The petition contended that while 26/11 police martyrs Hemant Karkare,Vijay Salaskar and Ashok Kamte were posthumously given the Ashok Chakra and their families were given petrol pumps,others who fought terrorists did not get proportional awards,barring constable Tukaram Ombale. He argued that in 2012,the High Court had directed the government to make a statement on the action taken to recognise the services of the bomb disposal squad. mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com
