The relatives of those killed in the terrorist bombing of Air-India's Boeing 747 Kanishka in 1985 have received letters from the Canadian government offering to fly them to Vancouver to attend the trial if they so wish.
Confirming this, Hindi film and television actor Vijayendra Ghatge told rediff.com, "I have received a letter from them stating that I can go to their country to attend the trial at their cost."
Ghatge's sister Sangeeta, an airhostess, was among the 329 people on board the flight. All of them were killed when the jumbo jet blew up over the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985.
"I am deeply touched by the gesture of the Canadian government as they felt that we are important to them for this trial," Ghatge said. "It is a very positive step and I am happy that those responsible are being tried for their crime."
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has arrested and put on trial Vancouver-based businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, who worked at a mill in Kamloops, British Columbia, on charges of first-degree murder.
"The loss to us has been irreparable," said Ghatge. "The void can never be filled. My mother has never been the same after the incident."
Jeet Bisen, who lost his wife Leena, told rediff.com that he was happy that justice will at last be done.
"The loss was too personal for me and I prefer to speak to you on the phone," he said. "Eighteen years is a long time and I don't feel like talking more about this issue. It is just good to know that the Canadian government is trying to give justice to those innocent people who died a tragic death."
Ghatge said he has been considering going to Canada ever since he got the invitation 15 days ago, but is not sure when. "I would love to go," he said, "but I have some busy schedules and will see if I can find time to go there."
Bisen too is undecided. "It is just that life has been very tough for me ever since," he said. "So I would prefer not to talk more about this incident."
Sitaraje Ghatge, Vijayendra's mother, said, "My daughter was very intelligent and versatile. She had such an innocent face! I sometimes don't understand how these terrorists can be so cruel. Life has never been the same for me. I always miss her on family occasions or birthdays."
Asked if she would go to Canada to witness the trial, Sitaraje said, "I am too old. But I will certainly follow the trial on television. I want these people to be punished because they killed my daughter."
