The Maharashtra government has sanctioned a budget of Rs 13.46 crore to construct a memorial for Ashok Chakra awardee Tukaram Omble, the valiant Mumbai police officer who was instrumental in capturing 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab.
A government official on Saturday confirmed that the memorial will be constructed at Omble's native place, Kedambe, in Satara district.
A Mumbai Police sub-inspector, Omble sacrificed his life while carrying out orders from his seniors to apprehend Kasab alive. To reward his outstanding courage, he was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, the country's highest peacetime gallantry decoration.
As per a government circular, the funding for the memorial had been pending, and it has now been decided to approve Rs 13.46 crore for the project.
The circular also mentions that an initial payment of Rs 2.70 crore, which is 20% of the total approved amount, will be made available for the project.
This is under the government's 'Establishment of Memorials of Great Personalities in Rural Areas' scheme, the circular says.
Omble, unarmed, instinctively clutched the rifle of Ajmal Kasab, keeping the terrorist from firing at others, even though in doing so he was shot dead.
During the night of November 26, 2008, Kasab and his accomplice commandeered a car and drove towards a checkpoint where Omble and his unit were deployed. After reaching there, the terrorists fired shots, and one of them was killed within the vehicle.
Surviving Kasab emerged and walked out seemingly to surrender. But when Omble came closer, Kasab opened fire abruptly. Omble, who stood right in front of him, gripped the barrel of his rifle, thereby saving others from being killed. Though he died from his injuries, his brave action allowed his fellow officers to overpower Kasab. The capture of the terrorist and his later confession gave important evidence revealing the Pakistani conspiracy involved in the attack.
Omble was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra on January 26, 2009. Kasab was subsequently hanged on November 21, 2012.
Meanwhile, the Indian government is also making its best efforts to extradite 26/11 suspect Tahawwur Hussain Rana from America. Rana, a Pakistani-origin businessman, has been found guilty for his role in the fatal attack that resulted in the deaths of 164 people.
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