MP announces reward of Rs 5 lakh for info on vandals

These photographs, captured by MiD DAY's senior lensman Atul Kamble on August 11, triggered tumult on social media. People from across the nation condemned the acts, some even comparing the vandals to 26/11 militant Ajmal Qasab. With such widespread indignation, the entire Mumbai police force has been ordered to trace these two rioters on priority basis. And now, citizens have an added incentive to aid the probe.u00a0

Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Independent Rajy Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar yesterday announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh to anyone providing reliable information to police about the hooligans who desecrated the Amar Jawan memorial.

"Their acts have left me and thousands of Indians in pain, disgust and anger. The perpetrators who vandalised this sacred place do not belong to any faith or religion, and by their act have disgraced hundreds and thousands of people from all faiths and parts of India and those within and outside of Armed Forces," said Chandrasekhar who is also chairman of National Military Memorial Committee.

Unpardonable: MiD DAY photographer Atul Kamble had clicked these two hooligans defiling the Amar Jawan memorial at Azad Maidan on August 11

Big bounty
He added, "The perpetrators must be apprehended at the earliest and brought to justice. To that end, I announce a reward of Rs 5 lakh to those who provide the police with credible information leading to the arrest."

Mumbai Crime Branch and local police are already vying to nab these hoodlums, knowing whoever makes these crucial arrests will reap rich professional rewards. Unconfirmed reports have indicated that the accused used to stay in Mumbra area at Thane, but cops have still not confirmed the same.

Meanwhile, Chandrasekhar has also offered to undertake the repairing and restoration of the monument, erected to honour and remember two brave sons of India - Sepoy Sayyed Hussein and Sepoy Mangal Gadiya, who were martyred during the 1857 freedom struggle. In 2011, he had also offered financial support to restore and reconstruct the memorial of Param Vir Chakra winner Abdul Hameed, which was lying in a dilapidated state in a village in UP.u00a0