Will look at Afzal Guru's mercy plea after 20 Dec, says Shinde

New Delhi: Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde will see files pertaining to mercy petitions of Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru and six others in death row after the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament."It is not only (that of) Afzal Guru. I have seven files (of mercy pleas) to see. I will see the files after Parliament Session," he told reporters here on the sidelines of a function today.The Winter Session of the Parliament will conclude on 20 December.[caption id="attachment_552082" align="alignleft" width="380"] Guru's case to come up next says the Home Minister. AFP[/caption]Guru's mercy petition was sent back by President Pranab Mukherjee to the Ministry of Home Affairs for review. He was sentenced to death for the 2001 Parliament attack in which nine people, including security force personnel, were killed and 16 were injured.Addressing personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) on its 47th Raising Day function, Shinde praised the high standards of training in the force and said the government will ensure all possible help to further improve the skills and bring in technological advancements."I am aware of the fact that BSF personnel work in extremely difficult conditions and away from their families. The personnel deployed in anti-terrorist, anti-Naxal, disaster management, border management operations and United  Nations Peace Keeping Missions. We have seen good results from all the fronts."I hope that BSF will further improve its techniques and skills to save the country and secure its border. The safetyand security of country's border is very important and BSF personnel are doing their job in the best way," Shinde said.The ceremonial parade on the occasion of force's 47th raising day had to be postponed from December 1 to todayfollowing the demise of former Prime Minister IK Gujral on November 30.PTI