Bengaluru: Rash driving destroys 26/11 martyr's memorial

Bengaluru: Tension prevailed at the Doddaballapur Road Junction in Yelahanka on Saturday after local residents found the granite stone plaque, put up in remembrance of late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who was martyred during the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, destroyed and broken into pieces.

While some speculated that it might be the handiwork of miscreants, the police clarified that the damage was because of an accident. “A mini-truck from Mother Dairy went out of control and crashed into the structure on Saturday evening. The granite stone slab carrying Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s name broke into pieces. BBMP workers detained the driver and later traced the owner of the truck,” said a traffic police inspector from Yelahanka New Town.

The damage was noticed on Sunday morning and soon after, the BBMP Joint Commissioner of Yelahanka division visited the spot. The traffic police, who too were alerted, spoke to BBMP officials.

An official told Deccan Chronicle, “The restructuring work has already begun, and almost 90 percent of the pedestal work has been completed. The area MLA and the truck owner, Girigowda, are looking after the works. The truck owner showed interest and offered to rebuild the structure and the plaque.”

Mayor Sampath Raj said, “Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who put up a brave fight against the terrorists of 26/11 Mumbai attack, was the pride of Bengaluru. It is sad that the plaque named after him was damaged. The BBMP joint commissioner has already inspected the spot. We have directed the engineers to prepare an estimate to repair the damage.”

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who was a commando in the elite Special Action Group of the National Security Guards, was martyred during the 26/11 anti-terror operations. He was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peace time gallantry award, on January 26, 2009.