Showing posts with label train blasts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label train blasts. Show all posts
Monday, April 21, 2008
Reading this brought back dark memories of 11/7 and the imminent human and financial losses.
I was in office on the fateful day. Suddenly, a colleague got news alert stating that a bomb blast had occurred at Khar Station and a police red alert had been sounded. Within the next several minutes we kept getting messages and images began flashing on TOI about the gruesome attacks at 7 stations in Mumbai.
A few friends had their parents using the railways to commute to and fro office. It was heartbreaking to see them undergo the ordeal.
174 dead. More than 400 maimed.
Next few days saw the country's top brass holding hushed meetings, sound bytes given by intelligence agencies, news coverage and detailed analysis ranging from intelligence failure to crumbling infrastructure to huge and unmanageable population.
Then came editorials and chain mails espousing "Mumbai's indomitable sprit".
Finally, life resumed its course and most people went back to their routine schedules. Some with signs of indignation, many with signs of indifference and most with resignation to fate.
The memory still triggers emotional and agitated reactions in most of us.
Time and again, I have wondered why we often end up as soft targets. India has probably been one of the worst victims of terrorism. Yet every time we seem to miss the lessons.
Instead of facing the problem head on and taking stern action and remedial measures, our polity has always been escapist and lethargic at best. I do not think we should label such incidences as "Intelligence Failure" alone. In most cases, we have had prior warnings and signals. But it's preventive action that we fail at miserably. We have known the existence and mushrooming of sleeper cells in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and other major economic hubs of India. We are also aware of how well connected these terrorist outfits are and how very simple it is for them to raise finance.
What's scary is that these people are now in the mainstream. For all I know, I could be traveling with one and be blissfully unaware.
The bomb blasts were deemed to be an intelligent and meticulous strike. I do not think so. It was the easiest and the simplest task on earth. If you want to hit and make Mumbai bleed – target its lifeline – the Railways! Timing was perfect too – evening 6 – to inflict maximum fatalities.
A careful study shows that terrorists have changed strategies from religious terrorism to economic terrorism. Instead of attacking places of worship and breaking the tolerant fabric of India, they now target symbols of our prosperity and economic freedom. Their future targets would be educational institutions, stock exchanges, hotels, SEZs.
Are we prepared?
Though the answer might sting and give us nightmares, but to be fair and optimistic - our preparation seems to be rudimentary at best.
Khar Police station is a stone's throw away from the railway station. Yet, it took more than 20 minutes for our forces to gather some sense and reach out to the bleeding masses.
Also, there is a widespread disconnect and alienation with affected areas.
How far has the government gone to relieve people from naxal attacks (More than 20% of Indian districts are inflicted with Naxal presence)? Does the disenchanted and jobless youth from Hyderabad and other affected areas from South India figure on the polity's radar? Why is it that seemingly smart and intelligent youth join extremist Organizations?
It's this widespread inaction and lack of sympathy that has lead to many people taking up arms. The government has failed miserably to address their issues.
Also, we have always been keen to appear as "Diplomatic" and "Correct". Why please our neighours at the cost of national security? Why can't we put our foot down and demand punitive action? More so, why do we keep cribbing and sending polite reminders to our neighbours to correct erring terrorist orgs? What is it that keeps us from cracking down these miscreants on our own?
How far has the government gone to promote Anti Terrorism Squads? How well is the public aware of such organisations and the various options available to it? Does it know how to respond to such acts of violence? Are there any formal channels of redressal?
Is a budget of 1000 crores not enough to defend the nation?? What use are our 2nd largest Standing army and 4th largest Air Force if we cannot serve the public? If people do not feel safe while traveling or shopping? If people become cynical and stay with fear !A sea change in attitude and action is required to fight this menace of terrorism.
Any thoughts on how and what we as responsible citizens should be doing?
I was in office on the fateful day. Suddenly, a colleague got news alert stating that a bomb blast had occurred at Khar Station and a police red alert had been sounded. Within the next several minutes we kept getting messages and images began flashing on TOI about the gruesome attacks at 7 stations in Mumbai.
A few friends had their parents using the railways to commute to and fro office. It was heartbreaking to see them undergo the ordeal.
174 dead. More than 400 maimed.
Next few days saw the country's top brass holding hushed meetings, sound bytes given by intelligence agencies, news coverage and detailed analysis ranging from intelligence failure to crumbling infrastructure to huge and unmanageable population.
Then came editorials and chain mails espousing "Mumbai's indomitable sprit".
Finally, life resumed its course and most people went back to their routine schedules. Some with signs of indignation, many with signs of indifference and most with resignation to fate.
The memory still triggers emotional and agitated reactions in most of us.
Time and again, I have wondered why we often end up as soft targets. India has probably been one of the worst victims of terrorism. Yet every time we seem to miss the lessons.
Instead of facing the problem head on and taking stern action and remedial measures, our polity has always been escapist and lethargic at best. I do not think we should label such incidences as "Intelligence Failure" alone. In most cases, we have had prior warnings and signals. But it's preventive action that we fail at miserably. We have known the existence and mushrooming of sleeper cells in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and other major economic hubs of India. We are also aware of how well connected these terrorist outfits are and how very simple it is for them to raise finance.
What's scary is that these people are now in the mainstream. For all I know, I could be traveling with one and be blissfully unaware.
The bomb blasts were deemed to be an intelligent and meticulous strike. I do not think so. It was the easiest and the simplest task on earth. If you want to hit and make Mumbai bleed – target its lifeline – the Railways! Timing was perfect too – evening 6 – to inflict maximum fatalities.
A careful study shows that terrorists have changed strategies from religious terrorism to economic terrorism. Instead of attacking places of worship and breaking the tolerant fabric of India, they now target symbols of our prosperity and economic freedom. Their future targets would be educational institutions, stock exchanges, hotels, SEZs.
Are we prepared?
Though the answer might sting and give us nightmares, but to be fair and optimistic - our preparation seems to be rudimentary at best.
Khar Police station is a stone's throw away from the railway station. Yet, it took more than 20 minutes for our forces to gather some sense and reach out to the bleeding masses.
Also, there is a widespread disconnect and alienation with affected areas.
How far has the government gone to relieve people from naxal attacks (More than 20% of Indian districts are inflicted with Naxal presence)? Does the disenchanted and jobless youth from Hyderabad and other affected areas from South India figure on the polity's radar? Why is it that seemingly smart and intelligent youth join extremist Organizations?
It's this widespread inaction and lack of sympathy that has lead to many people taking up arms. The government has failed miserably to address their issues.
Also, we have always been keen to appear as "Diplomatic" and "Correct". Why please our neighours at the cost of national security? Why can't we put our foot down and demand punitive action? More so, why do we keep cribbing and sending polite reminders to our neighbours to correct erring terrorist orgs? What is it that keeps us from cracking down these miscreants on our own?
How far has the government gone to promote Anti Terrorism Squads? How well is the public aware of such organisations and the various options available to it? Does it know how to respond to such acts of violence? Are there any formal channels of redressal?
Is a budget of 1000 crores not enough to defend the nation?? What use are our 2nd largest Standing army and 4th largest Air Force if we cannot serve the public? If people do not feel safe while traveling or shopping? If people become cynical and stay with fear !A sea change in attitude and action is required to fight this menace of terrorism.
Any thoughts on how and what we as responsible citizens should be doing?
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