HUMANCHAIN

New Delhi, July 16 (PTI) In a gesture of bonhomie, a
group of Indians and Pakistanis joined hands to protest
against the serial bomb blasts in western Indian city Mumbai
by organising a human chain at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial here
Saturday evening.
With Rajghat, symbolic of non-violence, peace and
unity forming the backdrop, the protestors highlighted the
significance of having closer ties between the two countries
in order to sustain the ongoing peace talks.
The protest at Rajghat was organised by National
Alliance for People's Movement (NAMP) and attended by members
of Karachi-based cultural group Tehrik-e-Niswan among others.
Calling for a united effort to condemn terrorism,
member of NAMP and one of the organisers Faisal Khan said,
"Those aiming to spread terror and violence are the biggest
cowards as they plant bombs and attack secretly. They do it to
disturb brotherhood and foment tensions between Hindus and
Muslims."
Equally disturbed by the attack that took place two
days ago, members of the Pakistani group were in the capital
to perform plays promoting Indo-Pak friendship.
Expressing solidarity with the victims of the blasts,
they described the serial bombings as an attack on humanity to
derail public harmony and peace.
"We all know that people of both sides are suffering
and we all are against any kind of terrorism. We are united,
we are one and thus we are here to pay our sympathy towards
victims.
"We are glad to be a part of such peace-promoting
efforts and offer our full support and determination in a
fight against terrorism," said Anwar Jafri, a member of the
cultural group.
Highlighting a mutual understanding between India and
Pakistan on issues related to terrorism, Leader of
Tehrik-e-Niswan Seema Kirmani said, "both countries are
supportive of a joint effort to eliminate terrorism and this
human chain is an effort to promote that joint cooperation
towards improving relations."