Addressing the concluding session of 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid homage to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and asserted that India is fighting terrorism with the new policies. He also pitched for ‘One Nation, One Election’, saying it is the need of India as polls taking place every few months impact development works.

“This day in 2008, terrorists from Pakistan attacked Mumbai. Many including foreign citizens, policemen died. I pay tributes to them. India can’t forget those wounds. Today India is fighting terrorism with new policies. I also bow down to our security personnel fighting terror,” Modi said.

Also read: 26/11: A timeline of terror attacks that wreaked havoc in Mumbai

Pitching strongly for ‘One Nation, One Election’, Modi said it is not just a matter of debate, this is the need of India.

“One nation, one election isn’t just a matter of debate, this is the need for India. Elections are held at different places every few months, the effect it has on development work is known to all. This issue needs to be studied & presiding officers can be guiding force for it,” Modi said.

As November 26 also marks the National Constitution Day, Modi said that the citizens of India should follow the path of Mahatma Gandhi and perform their fundamental duties and rights.

“Our Constitution has many features but a special feature is the importance of duties. Gandhi Ji was very keen on it. He saw close link b/w rights & duties. He felt that once we perform our duties, rights will automatically be safeguarded,” he said.

Also read: ‘Baby Moshe’: The boy who survived 26/11

On November 26, 2008, ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan arrived by sea route and opened fire, killing 166 people, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others.

Nine terrorists were killed by security forces at the time of the attack, while Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only one to be captured alive, was hanged four years later on November 21, 2012.