We’re happy, say parents of hotel attack victim

KATTINGERI, November 22, 2012



The parents of Paustine Martis, who was killed in the terror attack on the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel in Mumbai in November 2008, expressed their happiness at Kasab's execution.



Paustine (48), eldest son of Valerian and Alice Martis, was working as the restaurant manager at the hotel. His parents stay in Kattingeri village, which comes under the Moodubelle Gram Panchayat, and is about 17 km from Udupi.



Mr. Martis told presspersons here that he was happy at the execution of Kasab. A well-wisher from Katapady village told him over the phone in the morning about television channels flashing the news of the execution. "Though I am happy that justice has been done, I am sad that it took such a long time for justice to prevail."



Mrs. Martis said she too got calls from places such as Udupi, Manipal and Katapady informing her about Kasab's execution. "Paustine was my eldest son. It is good that Kasab has been hanged," she said in a voice choked with emotion.



Mr. Martis said Paustine's wife Priscilla was working in a company run by the Taj Trust in Mumbai. Paustine's daughter Priya was also working in a sister concern of the Taj Group.



The Taj Group had taken good care of its employees. Paustine's son Floyd was studying in college.



Just a yard away from Martis' house is the house of Joachim Lobo. Mr. Lobo's son, Dolphi Lobo, who has been working as a steward at the same Taj Hotel, escaped during the terror attack. Mr. Dolphi's mother, Irene Lobo, said she was happy that Kasab was executed.



"Terrorists killed so many innocent persons in Mumbai that day. We felt very sad that Paustine was killed in one of the attacks," she said.
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