The All India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) on Thursday rallied behind the Delhi Police, under fire for the Batla House encounter.Addressing a function at Vighyan Bhavan to commemorate the victims and heroes of the recent acts of terror in Delhi, former Youth Congress president and Front chairman Maninderjit Singh Bitta criticised certain politicians for indulging in vote-bank politics by questioning the authenticity and the role of the police force in the September 19 Batla House encounter in Jamia Nagar. “The root of terrorism lies in the ‘divide and rule’ policy of politicians,” he said. Instead, he said, the police needed to be given more powers and freedom to combat terrorism. “The Punjab model for combating terrorism needs to be applied in the entire country for effectively tackling terrorism,” he added. In addition, he also pointed to the need to take up the issue of inadequate compensation to the families of blast victims, saying a committee had been appointed by the Front for the same.Former Punjab Inspector General of Police, K P S Gill, speaking on the occasion recalled that the police had come under similar criticism at the height of terrorism in Punjab. “Later, however, there was repentance in the country at the manner in which the Punjab police had been treated,” he said. Mementoes and awards were also presented by guests Gill and singer Sony Nigam. The AIATF announced financial assistance, education and rehabilitation for two children, Simran and Rahul, who lost their fathers in the Karol Bagh blasts. The family of Inspector M C Sharma, who died in the Batla House encounter, was also presented with a “Pride of Nation” award. The balloon-seller, Rahul, who informed the police about the bomb at Barakhamba Road, was also given a bravery award.
