Human Chain against Terror Attack in Mumbai

On 12-12-2008 morning the people of Mumbai had formed a human chain beginning from Taj Hotel snaking through the Trident hotel and CST station. These were the spots where scores of innocent people lost their precious lives during the recent Terror attack. The call for human chain was meant to protest against the Terrorist attack. People from all walks of life, the rich and poor, kids and school children, young and old, Indians and foreigners actively took part in forming a long serpentine human chain. I came across few children who came from Latur, interior of Maharashtra, to take part in a football game held in Mumbai, as preparation for Olympic game meant for disabled. They belonged to Pandurang Nivasi Mathimand Vidyalya , latur, Maharashtra. What was very moving is that these boys are mentally challenged and were taking part in the human chain to pay their respect to those who died. I asked one of the kids what made him come at Taj, he replied that firing had taken place in Taj and people were killed. Their teacher Rajesh Patil said that while watching live telecast of the Taj hotel siege, these children had many unanswered question coming from them as to why they were killing people, what they get out of killing innocent and so on. They were terrified watching the live television of the terror attack.
Aftermath of the terror attack, Taj hotel has become a sort of Terror tourist spot. The locals and foreigners throng to catch a glimpse of Taj hotel where the terrorist and the Commandos were engaged in 60 hours of gun battle. People pose in front of camera with Taj hotel in the background to carry back with them as memorabilia.

For images on Human Chain-

http://rajennair.com/gallery43.asp

Mumbai fights back against terror

Yesterday the people of Mumbai came out in the open street to join the mammoth gathering that took place near the Taj hotel. It was clarion call made to the people to come together to show solidarity, express their outrage against the terror attack and protest the callous and inept attitude of our Politician. It was through the internet, blog and SMS messages that scores of people joined the rally. And the response was fantastic and unbelievable.

Tens of thousands of people participated. This rally is most unique in many ways and first of its kind ever to take place in Mumbai. Blogs, SMS and Citizen News portal came to the fore in marshalling such a huge rally which brings into focus the importance of digital age we live in. Beside it was used to channelize the public outcry and anguish against the Terrorist and the utter failure of our politician in protecting us. This has redefined the concept of citizen journalism and has left little doubt the CJ is going to stay here and from here onward will keep spreading and growing. The outcome of this public assault using digital media helped roll many heads in the Indian Ministry.

First to go was India’s home minister Shivraj Patil followed by the resignation of Maharashtra Home Minster RR Patil and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. In fact Chief Minister has admitted that it was the Public anger and pressure that made his step down from office.
Yesterday’s rally was unique in many ways. It was first massive Public rally called by the public and was for the public. Mumbai has never seen the mobilization of such large human resource at one go. It was always the monopoly of the Politician to garner huge rally by using his money power and state machinery. Yesterday’s rally was devoid of any political connection. In fact the fury against the politician was so furious that no politician would have dared to be present there. In all likelihood he would have been lynched.
I felt like the whole of Mumbai had tuned out on the streets. Processions were taken out by ordinary citizens waving placard and carrying tri-color Indian flags. Not only solidarity was shown towards brave police officer and Commandos who laid down their lives for the country but in general the public expressed their ire and fury, the disdain and contempt displayed were aimed against the Political class. Slogans like Go Go Terrorism, No votes No tax, Politicians step down, Hindu – Muslim unity and so on ranted the air. Graffiti and candle vigils marked the night.
There were people of all hue and walks of life- the Celebrities and commoners, Old and young, the rich and poor, Upper and middle class, Ultra-urban educated and rural and grieved families who lost their dear ones. What is most satisfying is that majority of them were young college students lending their vocal cord in shouting slogans and expressing solidarity. This is a good sign as there is often criticism that they don’t vote or take part in social issues.
I am sure yesterday’s public rally must have sent fear among the politicians that they no more can take the people of Mumbai and in general of India lightly. One good thing that comes out of this tragedy is that yesterday public rally has indicated that Mumbai is rising and now has voice of common public that cannot be ignored.

For images on the protest rally

http://rajennair.com/gallery42.asp

60 Hours of Terror attack in Mumbai

When there were spate of bomb blast in other parts of India, I was expecting that it was just a matter of time that India’ premier financial capital Mumbai would come under terror attack. But I had never expected that this time the magnitude of attack would be so massive in terms of duration of attack and death tolls. This time it wasn’t setting off time bombs in busy market places or institutions. They chose the sea route to come to Mumbai and launch a land attack. On Wednesday night the television had breaking news that guns shot were heard in CST station and at Leopold café (beer parlor frequented by foreigners). It was assumed that it might be underworld gang war. On knowing that similar attack had taken place in Taj hotel, Trident Oberoi , and western suburbs it became clear what we were seeing was terrorist attacks.
I interviewed SS Mishra who owns a restaurant inside CST and was eye witness to the terrorist attack. He said it was around 10 pm that he heard sound of gun shots. He saw two men, in their twenties with rucksack on their back, had AK 47 in their hands. They were firing indiscriminately at the passengers who were waiting at the terminus for boarding trains to their respective destinations. He and his employees ducked under the table while bullets were flying all over the place. He with his men managed to escape towards the kitchen. After half an hour when the firing stopped they stepped out. what he saw was simply horror. The area was a pool of blood with dismembered bodies lying all over. They rushed the injured to the nearby St George hospital.
At Taj hotel a fierce gun battle had taken place for over 60 hours leaving large number of deaths including many foreign tourists. Most of them were taken hostages and lined up against the room wall and fired at, killing them cold-bloodedly. The same happened at Trident hotel. At Nariman house a Jew family and some members were tortured killed brutally.
I spoke to Indian born British national Sir Ghulam Noon a well known businessman known as Curry King in London. He was staying at in the night of 26/11 when the terrorist entered Taj hotel and began mowing down visitors ruthlessly. He was lucky to remain inside his room before he was rescued by the firemen.
In all more than 183 people lost their lives and left 300 people injured. The people of Mumbai is very angry and venting it out in television interviews and taking out protest march and candle light vigil.
I was interviewed by Radio Pakistan live via my cell about the terror attack. They were keen to project that it was Deccan Mujahedeen group from India who had carried out the attack. I told them that one of the terrorist has been caught alive and from his confession all evidence points out to Pakistan, that was when the interview was stopped quite abruptly.
When terror attack was this magnitude and brutality take place some head from the government has to roll. India’s Home minister Shivraj Patel and Maharashtra home minster RR Patil has resigned. The chief minister is on his way out.

My salutation to the martyr who laid down thier lives fighting the terrorist

Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salasker, Ashok Kamte, Major Unnikrishanan and others
I had covered the three days events with my camera and bring you the documentary of images of Terror attack in Mumbai.

http://rajennair.com/gallery41.asp