PESHAWAR: The widespread revulsion over the massacre in Peshawar continued on Thursday as members of civil society groups, government functionaries and political parties visited the Army Public School, brought out processions and held candle-lit vigils across the city.

A number of processions ended just outside the school while others terminated at different important points, including the Peshawar Press Club. The participants chanted slogans against the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. They lit candles outside one of the entrances of the school and placed bouquets.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique visited the school. They went around different portions and saw the destruction caused by the militants. The governor placed floral wreaths and bouquets on behalf of Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and on his own behalf.

Brigadier Mudassir of Pakistan Army briefed the governor and the minister inside the school about the rescue operation. The governor said the entire nation was united against the barbarians who had massacred innocent students.

They also visited the homes of several students to offer condolences over their deaths.

Later they visited the Lady Reading Hospital and stayed with the injured students for some time.

There were moving scenes outside the school with the arrival of different processions by civil society groups and relatives of the dead and injured students. Some women were overcome with grief and burst into tears.

The participants muttered curses against the militants who carried out the monstrous attack. The event was attended, among others, by Shabeena Ayaz, the regional head of Aurat Foundation, and peace activist Dr Said Alam Mehsud.

The visitors displayed placards near the school. The cards were inscribed with slogans against the militants and in support of the dead students and staff members. They also lit candles in memory of the young ones who are no more.

A procession was taken out by women’s wing of the Pakistan Peoples Party. It was led by MNA Nafeesa Shah and Senator Rubina Khalid. They held aloft placards and marched near the Press club.

The Christian community also held a vigil at Saint John Cathedral, in Peshawar cantonment. Special services were held in the church to pray for all those who lost their lives in the assault and for the early recovery of injured persons. Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peter led the services.

Another big vigil was arranged by civil society groups at Amn Park, near the Press Club. The participants carried lamps and lit candles. They observed silence for a few minutes.

The refrain in speeches was that the government should arrest the culprits and award them exemplary punishments.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2014