‘26/11’... This haunting date is deeply etched in the hearts and minds of all the Indians especially the Mumbaikars. The tragic terrorist attack on the city has passed one year but the wounds are still fresh. Cold fear runs down the spine when we hear that the people who devised Mumbai terror attack are free and have begun to plot for a fresh one. The whole of Mumbai observed the first anniversary of the horrific incident by lighting candles outside the Gate way of India and at the Taj Hotel, chanting slogans of peace and prayed for harmony and hope for the city that saw around 160 innocent people killed without any reason.
Mumbai is called as the economic backbone and the business hub of the country. It is the home of millions. It welcomes people of different communities and cultures into its lap promising to fulfill all their dreams. It was a city bustling with life and activity.
But everything came to a standstill and the people were grief-striken on 26 November 2008 when 10 terrorists entered through the Arabian Sea and attacked the commercial capital of India. It was a very normal day but things took a change for the worse. There were a series of attacks across some of the important parts of the city. The people were caught unaware. Many innocent were shot, significant landmarks of the city were in flames and the people were running hither thither. The sole sound that could be heard was the bullet firing, explosion of the bombs and people crying out of pain. There was total chaos with smoke filled up everywhere. The astounded nation watched it live with shock and disbelief. Mumbai bleed for three long days with Ajmal Qasab being the lone surviver to be captured alive by the police.
This was not the first occasion that the city had to face such attacks. The series of 13 bomb explosions in 1993 and the train bombings on the suburban railway that killed many innocents led the city to face similar situations. Each time they were suppressed the resilient people of the city bounced back to life. Even after the recent devastating attack the city came back to life. This resilient nature of the people has been taken for granted and the tolerance levels of the people are tested. Sure, the police confronted the terrorists bravely and many even laid down their lives. But what are the efforts made after the attack to ensure the people that they are safe? One year after the attack, the sole surviving terrorist is still alive and our country is spending much money for his health and well being.
The city may be back to life but there is an element of apprehension and uncertainty of returning back home in the hearts of most. All evidence points that this attack was sponsored and instructed from sources inside Pakistan. Though the peace talks between both the countries have been stopped, it is still high time the government take preventive actions for the safety of the people in future. Many compare the 26/11 of our country with the 9/11 attack on the twin towers. But there is a major difference of 9/11 followed by a succession of security measures and remedies. The entire community watched these antics with shock and disbelief. When will the civilized world wake up to the immediacy danger posed by the terrorists? Terrorism is no longer an issue of a few countries who have been wounded by it. It has become a global issue which has to be tackled and develop a fail proof action plan against terrorism.
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