Tribute to 26/11 martyrs

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday paid tribute to those killed in the 26/11 terror attacks by laying a wreath at the martyrs' memorial at the Police Gymkhana in South Mumbai.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and state Home Minister R. R. Patil also paid tribute to the martyrs.

The Maharashtra Police took out a parade from the Oberoi Trident Hotel, which was one of the sites attacked by the terrorists.

Teams of Force One, Quick Response Teams (QRT) and Mumbai Police took part in the parade after saluting Chief Minister Chavan.

Besides the official functions, several other memorial services have been planned for the day in the city.

There would be prayer meetings and commemoration services at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Hotel Taj Mahal Palace and Tower and Hotel Trident-Oberoi.

P Unnikrishnan, the father of martyred National Security Guard (NSG) commando Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who has undertaken a cycle tour from India Gate in Delhi, will join a peace march at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

A candle-lit silent prayer rally will be organized by the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, and the family members of 26/11 victims, from Cama Hospital lane to St Xavier's college in South Mumbai.

Mumbai has turned into a virtual fortress, with the authorities stepping up security and increasing vigilance. Several patrol units have been set up to increase surveillance in order to thwart possible strikes by sleeper cells of militant groups.

Several mock security drills were carried out at vital places in Mumbai, while traffic policemen were directed to routinely conduct surprise checks to verify passenger credentials. (ANI)