People of Satara district in western Maharashtra, from where 26/11 martyr Tukaram Ombale hailed, have erected a memorial for him and others killed in the terror attack.
The memorial built in stone has come up in the premises of a sugar factory.
The Shaheed Smriti Udyan will comprise about 2,300 flowering plants and also 18 large trees, one each for the 26/11 martyr, Chairman of the Kisan Veer Cooperative sugar Factory, Madan Bhosale, told PTI here.
Of the 18 security personnel killed during Mumbai terror attacks, five were from Satara district. They included Ombale, Jaywant Dudhe-Patil, police sub—inspector Bapurao Durgude, Assistant Sub Inspector Balasaheb Bhosale and police constable Ambadas Pawar.
Ombale, who lost his life but helped nab 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab alive, was a native of Kedambe village in Jawali taluka. Durgude hailed from Bhirdachiwadi in Wai taluka.
“The idea came to me on the first anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks and has materialised now,” Mr. Bhosale said.
Each of the 18 trees will be adorned by a plate carrying a brief profile of the martyr so that school children and others who visit the memorial can get inspiration from the martyrs’ bravery, Mr. Bhosale said.
“Our factory was the first organisation in the State to give Rs. one lakh each to the families of martyrs from Satara killed in the 26/11 attack,” Mr. Bhosale said. Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam handed over the compensation.
“After 26/11, I went to meet Durgude’s family. All the women burst into tears. His father, who is over 80 years old, reprimanded them for crying. He said Durgude has not died in a road accident but has laid down his life for the country,” Mr. Bhosale recalled.
Besides the five martyrs from Satara, the memorial will also be adorned with the photographs of slain Anti—Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mr. Bhosale said.
