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Afzal thanks almighty for his 'stature' in final letter

Continuing the fight for Afzal Guru's body, his family on Sunday released his final letter, which they claimed the Parliament attack convict wrote at 6.35am on February 9, an hour and 25 minutes before he was hanged at Tihar jail. Toufiq Rashid reports.

Updated on: Feb 18, 2013 09:25 AM IST
Hindustan Times | By , Srinagar
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Continuing the fight for Afzal Guru's body, his family on Sunday released his final letter, which they claimed the Parliament attack convict wrote at 6.35am on February 9, an hour and 25 minutes before he was hanged at Tihar jail.

The-second-day-of-a-strike-called-by-Kashmir-Hurriyat-leader-Syed-Ali-Gilani-in-Kashmir-to-protest-the-execution-of-Afzal-Guru-in-New-Delhi-saw-deserted-streets-on-Sunday-AFP-Photo
The-second-day-of-a-strike-called-by-Kashmir-Hurriyat-leader-Syed-Ali-Gilani-in-Kashmir-to-protest-the-execution-of-Afzal-Guru-in-New-Delhi-saw-deserted-streets-on-Sunday-AFP-Photo

"I want to congratulate all the believers that we have always lived our life with truth and righteousness and our end has also been with truth and righteous," reads the unsigned letter.

Guru thanks almighty for giving him the "stature" he has achieved.

The family also released a signed covering letter, which accompanied Guru's last letter, by the superintendent of Jail No. 3 in Tihar jail.

Incidentally, the covering letter dated February 10 reached the family on February 12. But the key letter dated February 6, informing the family about his execution, had reached on February 11.

Jammu and Kashmir postmaster general had said delivery of the February 6 letter was delayed by curfew that was imposed following Guru's hanging. "It was curfew on February 9 and next day was Sunday. We delivered the letter on Monday."

After authorities lifted the curfew across the valley on Saturday, Geelani extended the strike by two days in support of the demand that Guru's body be handed over to his family.

Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs have backed Guru's family's demand for his body.

The police have arrested 53 persons from different districts on charges of throwing stones and creating trouble after Guru's hanging.

Independent legislator Sheikh Abdul Rashid aka Engineer Rashid has demanded renaming Lal Chowk, the valley's political landmark, after Guru.

(With inputs from Ashiq Hussain)

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Toufiq Rashid

Chief of bureau of HT at Srinagar, Toufiq has been covering the volatile state of Kashmir for the past seven years. Was working as special correspondent in Indian Express in New Delhi, covering health and wellness. Has done human interest stories from across the country for almost a decade.

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.
Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.
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