Politicking more important rather than stopping terror
The fact that scores of terrorists invaded Mumbai last night (some say by the sea route) and have taken hostages in five ten places in the city shows that our country, our Intelligence department, and our police have no clue at what is going to hit them next. The police, the ATS, the Intelligence, all are in the vice like grip of the politicians, who are more interested in infighting. As I wrote in my previous post politicians play games rather than show any interest in tackling terror. And I am sure that the blame game and bickering will start again. Don’t these anti-national politicians realise that all parties need to come together to fight against this war on our country?
Although figures are not being given out and nor are names, it does appear that a lot of foreign tourists have been caught in the battle, some are dead and some have been taken hostage. I hope now our government at last acknowledges that this country is not safe. Anyone can attack, from anywhere and everytime we will be caught by surprise. It’s about time we stopped gloating that our country is safer than Pakistan. It’s about time we stopped begging foreign cricket teams to come here and play. It’s about time we realise that we are in the war zone.
Any politician playing political games should be put under house arrest and stripped of his position. That might just leave us with very few people but the fewer of these traitor politicians left the better it is for our country. We don’t need masses of selfish politicians who are more interested in their party winning the elections or they themselves getting elected, rather than leading our country. We are not in peace-time.
Related Reading: Terrorism: Citizens need answers.
A wide angle view of India 
Yes Nita I agree. You take care.
I really wish these criminal politicians were all dead – I am sorry, I am speaking like a child, but then what India needs now are not these power-seeking parasitic politicians.
I am glad you are safe, Nita. If only, we had good leaders who were un-corrupt and progressive! The right use of technology could have averted a lot of terrorist activities. Instead of spending money on useful technology, a lot of money goes on erecting statues, party campaigns, security for politicians, etc.
wishtobeanon, at this moment I think all of are feeling like children, scared, and shaken up. Why, I could have been at leopolds that night, we go there are times. I could have been walking anywhere, all of us, each one of us. It can happen to anybody, anytime. That’s unnerving. Our country I feel is not safe anymore. I don’t trust any politician today, least of all this so-called leader called Rahul Gandhi who they are projecting as our next PM if congress wins.There is no way I want that inexperienced person as my prime minister. – Nita.
Youre absolutely right Nita! As of now the ToI website says 80 people are dead and around 900 injured!!! This is just horrific!! 900 casualties dont even occur during war time in a single night!!! This is highly despicable and you’re absolutely right when you say tht we’ve had enough of the dirty tricks of our politicians. We need a consensus!! All our leaders need to come together on this issue. We’re really tired of the dirty opportunistic politics of the UPA and the BJP. Nothing has been done to upgrade security in this country!!! Its so bad that these terrorists are just walking into a city and causing sneselss destruction. Usually wars are restricted to battle-fields but here the city has become a war-zone. And this could be any city in India. No city has enough protection in place to prevent some lunatic to walk into a crowded place and open fire indiscriminately. Our over-crowded and pathetically managed cities were fertile grounds for the unleashing of such horror and it was just a matter of time before it happened. Looks like the death toll of bomb blasts didnt satiate the hunger of these merchants of death. They wanted more blood on their hands and theyve got it now. Its high time the govt gets its act together. Mere platitudes from our Home Minister will NOT suffice.
Ulag, more dead now and maybe the toll will rise. Do you know that our seas are open, anyone can enter, anytime because our coast guard is totally useless, around Mumbai at least. People had been warning of this for months, no one cares. The MH govt. in particular is useless and corrupt. As you said our country is vulnerable and at this point of time I don’t know whether things will improve. – Nita.
@ Nita : My condolences to the people of Bombay. Sigh! I feel rather frustrated this morning. Over the last year I have spent a lot of time working, talking on the phone and making new friends with people in that city. I find them warm, amiable and open hearted. I agree with you that there is governmental inefficiency at play here all over.
If this country can not protect even top business hotels I am sure investor confidence is not even a question I should raise here. In my previous posts over some weeks I have said that we need better policing, better security agencies and to be honest if people can run around a major metropolis with automatic weapons and explosives and that too in police vehicles it just tells me how bad the situation is when it comes to people who are responsible.
With respect to people who died while performing their duty I will not write anything more now.
Odzer, thanks. The idea for these blasts was to frighten away investors. As you said if heavily armed people who don’t mind losing their lives can enter our country, it means there is no government worth the name exisiting in our country. At least in this state. – Nita.
@ Everyone : If you are in Bombay or suburbia, please donate blood and try to be safe.
Vilasrao Deshmukh and Shivraj Patil better resign …. especially Shivraj Patil.
Please stay safe.
They should have done so a long time ago. In fact Patil should have never got that portfolio. It was an appointment to please the MH lobby. I hate this communal way of appointing people to posts. The congress will pay, when the elections come around. And I just hope we don’t get from the frying pan into the fire. – Nita.
Nita,
“Its time , its time” is slogan which politicians put forward into when we say attack terrorism.
I was traveling in train, and was first most clam listener than any one. I from suburb to city. Well i have seen rage in people. They we they talked today, was the same except for ferocious attitude when topic touched terror turn.
Last night, to today early morning Mumbai had its worst. I hope this nightmare should come close to end.
It would say “Its time politicians, start listening to people. What they want.” – OOPS! i said it like a politician.
Sunny, I feel the rage too and I am glad, because it means that I have not got “used” or “indifferent” to it. The nightmare is still not over. We still don’t know the full impact. – Nita.
Why dont people like you join politics then being a commentator ?
Suresh, I would be a useless politician. One needs the temperament. Whatever we say, politicians need to be wheelers dealers, however honest they are. – Nita.
exactly,this is too much! We are dealing with a well organized system and we need to get organized too.
More than just organised. We need political will. – Nita.
Shame!
ATS was mostly busy for politician’s politics.. how can they perform?
Exactly!!! – Nita.
@Nita
The best organised countries – both politically stable and with highly sophisticated intelligence communities – cannot protect themselves 100% these days, so I am not sure it is fair to single out India and Indian situation for criticism.
Countries survive and thrive not because of but despite its politicians. They survive and thrive because of their people.
At the height of IRA’e terror people in the UK woke up and went to work every day. The same happened the day after people were caught in peak-time bus and tube bombs recently. It is people who render the word ‘terror’ meaningless.
Prevention is always difficult because it is hard to prove and nobody wants to invest in it (I draw an analogy from health, and also add what I can tell you from knowing former spooks).
I spent 4-5 hours y’day live-twittering info to many people who needed updates but had no access to things. My friends routinely stay at those hotels so I am very shaken too. I cried for most of those 4-5 hours, even as I dialled family and friends in Bombay to check on them, or took screen shots of the Taj on fire. I went to bed and lay still, pretending to be asleep, for 5 hours.
But I am up again, and while I can safely ignore it all, I will be damned if someone can stop me from going to India and to these places (oh how life and affordability has taken us from Leopold Cafe in 1993 to Oberoi now!).
Shefaly, I think its worse in India. The terrorists are now known to have entered by the sea route. We have no coastguard worth the name in Mumbai. But I know what you mean, any country can be caught by surprise, but its happening way too often in India. – Nita.
Nita, if these politicians have succeeded in lulling the nation to sleep. solely to retain power, India’s media is responsible for dishonestly and disgracefully playing along with them and projecting them in false light. It is nothing short of a national shame.
The phrase national shame rings true. More shame as no one has even talked of resigning as yet! The union home minister and the state home minister should be sacked. – Nita.
It is about time we renamed agencies instead of roads. “Intelligence Agencies” may now need a new name. How about “Insensitive Agences” or “Incapable Agencies or “Ineffective Agencies”?
I know what I am suggesting is ridiculous, but it is really frustrating how these 20-somethings come in and show us how ineffective our security measures are!
This attack is an invasion into our country and should be termed as a “war” not merely an “act of terrorism”. Hope we wake up and at least take some positive steps to tackle such invasions now!
Gopinath, its not ridiculous. We all want to cope with this tragedy and as someone said earlier on this thread, we all feel like children, vulnerable and unsure. I too hope our country wakes up. – Nita.
@Shefaly,
I agree that even the most sophisticated countries cannot avoid 100% a terrorist attack., but the regularity and periodicity of attacks in India is suggesting that one can carry out these activities at will and repeat them anywhere and everywhere with 100% success – That is what I am worried about!
You have said it.
@ Gopinath/Shefaly : The attacks are more frequent in India and indeed police in India are ineffective. If you have been to the New Delhi Railway Station you can simply walk in and walk out as you please. The two cops at the metal detectors are often just standing there and often those devices are just turned off. A lot of cops here look so shabby and miserable that they do not even inspire confidence. Security is sometimes just for deterrence and if ours does not even inspire any sense of security then we do not have any at all. If I was a foreigner I would never bring my family to this country especially to any major city to live here because of the inability of the government here to save lives. I would just say that it can be improved if the government now wakes up and buckles up a bit. It can not be 100% of course.
All the parties should sit with president and converge on evolving the troubleshooter policy to combat terrorism.
These parties may make a show of it, but they can never be really united. That is because voters in our country vote on the basis of community and religion and these parties will continue to play politics, because merit doesn’t count. – Nita.
Nita, so good to know you are safe! I can barely believe what I have been seeing since morning here.
Take care.
Good to see you here after a long time. – Nita.
@Odzer
London Tube considered and then discarded the use of idea of metal detectors mainly because they snarl up the business of life while creating a false sense of security. The probability of getting stabbed by a teen with a knife remains far higher than being caught in a terrorist attack. Even so the people here do not blame the government – this sh*t is affecting everyone, I am afraid to say. People are the best resources to protect themselves.
Strangely, many foreigners see India as much safer than Indians themselves do. Many ARE bringing their families to India to live and work, and not just as expats but as regular people.
I sad and sick. Really don’t know what to do. These coward ***** are heartless beasts.
Hang them along with the perpetrators.
Salute to the brave policemen who sacrificed their life in the line of duty.
Condolence to the family of the innocent people who have lost their life.
I think we immediately have a anti terrorist law, with necessary safeguards. We may have to sacrifice human rights for a while to get rid of the menace.
We immediately require a central agency to deal with the terrorism, which should have representatives from all state and paramilitary forces, army and intelligence.
We need a fair and fast trial system to trail the accused.
We need a probing and serious media to follow up each trial without making them a tamasha.
Lets form fair, sympathetic and alert society where we act as the eye and ears of the law enforcing agency.
LETS CONDEMN ACT OF THESE BEASTS AS HORRIFIC, INHUMAN AND COWARDICE.
Hoku, I think the policemen who rushed in initially had no idea as to what they were up against. Terrorists who were not bothered if they died, in a way these were suicide attacks. I feel we just need political will. Just improving our existing infrastructure will be a great help. – Nita.
@ Shefaly : I do blame the government and the police. They have clearly failed to act even when they had some information from active local people. I also blame them for the general state of the things here.
I did consider India as quite safe as well although I have grown up with strife in Punjab. I do not think that is the case any more. It has spread far and wide and is totally out of control now. One more thing is that things that happen in many parts of this country for example an Imphal or Aizwal are seldom reported in mainstream media here. Everyday there is some occurrence or the other. The only difference now is that what happened for the last 20 years in Kashmir or Punjab or the North-East now happens in the main centers of India. Its completely un nerving to see scores of people basically “invading” a city.
Yes Nita, Its high time for us to realise and accept the fact that country is not safe….why boast of something which we dont have….infact, if that matters, we have to make it and prove it to be safe!!
U take care….Am dumbstruck seeing these attacks…its 5th time in one year 😦 sounds very much alarming !!
Sahaja, thanks. I too am dumbstruck, and unnerved. I can’t stand it. – Nita.
@Shefaly,
I have been conversing with my colleagues, this morning on whats to improved and what can be done.
The major response is, what happened is bad, It should have not happened, and very next moment they say now lets get back to work, without putting a thought, “If I was to be there what i would have done. To avoid such Act?”.
Like Mumbai’s Red Alert Citizen, we need to volunteer ourself for safety of our-own country and our life.
We need to understand if WE are not doing it, no one else is going to do it.
Meter was always Ticking! WE knew it, Mumbai will going to be a target very soon. And Still we let it happen.
@Sunny
That is precisely my view as well. We make the world what it is – one person at a time. Police and government, over whose role and importance I differ with Odzer, are institutions we create and we make effective or ineffective.
Call me a rose-tinted-glasses wearing optimist but if I weren’t one, I would probably not be alive!
@Sunny
Incidentally I *do* pay attention to my surroundings and take my responsibility as a citizen of a metro (London in my case) seriously. But it is not necessary to discuss it – like your colleagues did not. Doing is more important, when the time comes.
@Shefaly,
Agreed, Institutions like police and intelligence are made for same, do you say that “We need to revamp its image ?”.
@Sunny
I have cops in my family. They live simple lives while putting themselves in danger every day. I know that a vast majority is not corrupt. Image change needs people to have an open mind first and also change their own behaviour. No? Do you think we have open minds? Or are we just cynical?
@Shefaly,
You got my point!
“Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum” – Vegitius, 375 AD.
@Anshul
I don’t know who said this but it is apt: “Killing for peace is like screwing for virginity”. Which means kind of pointless.
@Nita
I apologise for my unusually rude language here. Sorry but I was just making the point.
If that is a translation, it’s interesting. 🙂 – Nita.
It seems government at least is going to take one good step. PM in his speech has mentioned setting up of a Federal Investigation Authority to pursue terror related cases. Coordination among security agencies was a stumbling block in terror investigations.
But I have doubt about efficacy of National Security Act under the change circumstances and sophistication of the terror operatives.
I think Anshul is is right. Are not we already in war? Army, Naval commandos, SPG all in action. We already have lost more than 100 lives which include man in uniform.
World has already coined the term ‘war against terror’.
So I think it needs to be a all out war at political level, societal level, at the level of ideology and top of it we need to crush the act of terror with iron hand.
‘Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum’
Talk about Incredible India!!
Hope you saw that I have tagged you in the feminism post. – Nita.
When we observe the terror attacks presently going on in Mumbai from yesterday night, There is big difference between the earlier attacks and the present one.I am not pointing towards the way they are attacking…planting bombs Vs the grenade
and Ak47 firing but i like to point out the following points.
1) Every time mostly the loosers in the terrorists attacks are the common people especially the middle class and the lower middle class like the roadside vendors, middle class people who go for shopping, movies, malls etc.
2) Ofcouse, terrorists had attacked the places where normal lower & middle class people also like CST station, metro cinema, hospital,.etc…This time also
3) But now, the biggest difference the terrorists had made with these attacks is they had attacked the upmarket places where the ultra rich and upper class people live involving the politicians, businessmen, actors, successful people.
4) I dont deny there will be normal middle class people also in these places who may be in jobs like chefs,bearers..etc & got became victims.
The point i want to make is Terrorists had shown that they can attack people from all classes.So, its interesting to see how the Central Government will respond.Because, its difficult for a middle class or common person to influence the
government.Only thing they will do is run from pillar to post to claim that 5 lakhs of compensation.That too with all corruption
the final amount received will be some 2 lakhs or so.And the rural or illiterate will face much more difficulty to claim that money due to paper work involved and almost most of the people will just forget instead of running from pillar to post.
The Congress government had failed to bring the statistics of the dead and the compensation paid to the kith and kin till now even after several terrorists attacks.
One can get an idea of what i am saying by viviting the 9/11 commission report online how they had maintaind the records of deceased people & their families.Tll now Congress government didn’t came with any report even after so many terrorists attacks.The reason is because the compensation and the promises to the victims,kin & kith were not met till date.
Comming to the big difference in these attacks as the effected people includes rich class, the Congress Central Government may take concrete measures as the Upper & Ultra rich class people may rise their voice strongly like never before rather just watching TV.The influence they can make on government is more than the normal commoner which is evident in Indian politics.
Kumar, the idea of these attacks was to create a climate unsuitable for investment and business. It is to plunge India back by 25 years. The terrorists were going around asking for foreigners and they also hijacked a building with jews. India has not problem with jews!!! These terrorists were foreigners, now they say Pakistanis have been found.- Nita.
“Release all the mujahideens, and Muslims living in India should not be troubled,” said a militant inside the Oberoi, speaking to Indian television by telephone.
The man, who identified himself only as Sahadullah, said he was one of seven attackers inside the hotel, and wanted Islamist militants to be freed from Indian jails.
Later, an explosion was heard at the hotel.
“Anyone can attack, from anywhere…” and nobody cares! Except perhaps the ones that die unnatural deaths at an unnatural time.
The whole country should have risen in outrage. But the common man on the street said, “who knows why those guys were killed, ap kitna jantey ho? Kya pata hai apko? Ap sarkar ho? Probably there’s more to it than we know?All we need to do is to mind our business, and nothing bad is going to happen to US!”
Rolling, it will all become clear in a few weeks, if not days as in this case the terrorists have been captured. – Nita.
and life wd go on…unless I die an unatural death. We Indians are very special people with an unique immune system that adjusts to anything and everything 🙂 somehow…
@Nita,
Things are getting safe and coming to final stages is more satisfying.
Would really like to know even after knowing the situation being bad, we could see people coming in Curfew laden area as it was normal evening. Only causing more problems to security personnel working tirelessly over 15 hours.
@Rolling,
We know the loss. Only thing of being ignorant to such thing is like, “Digging your own grave and walking blind folded and hoping you don’t fall.”
@Shefaly,
I am having my argument based on the news were people on local jetty reported of the speed boat and unknown people, to cops on duty.
While they ignored it at first, and later on realization had taken action and seized the same.
Nita, I actually emailed you because I was worried! Glad to know that you are okay (since you are blogging et al). Can’t stop watching the coverage on CNN. Feel really bad for the ATS chief who got killed in the process.
Thanks. I’ve replied to you. – Nita.
terrorist attacks in india is now a common thing ,after every terror activities which takes lifes of common people police & intelligence agency come out with clue & always arrest mastermind behind such incidents & after some times history repeats itself.in my opinion our intelligence agencies police deparments all are now corroded due to long political interference.public have no faith in intelligence agencies& police department is two step ahead of it.this situation is created only political interference,in india community of politicien is worst than dogs(some are exception).while dogs are loyal towards their master,politicians are neither loyal towards public nor country,they always try to utilizes the situation to making their vote bank.our politicians are blind they can’t take lesson from our old politicians(gandhi gi &nehru gi).they are doing same thing what britishers was done.
Nadeem, I agree, no one has any faith left anymore. Our politicians are scum of the earth, except as you say 1-2, but then these are ineffectual leaders. They can’t carry the people with them. This government will be known by history to be the most ineffectual one ever. – Nita.
I came to your site last night as soon as I heard the news on CNN. My hear goes out to all Indians. It’s chilling to read your words, “we are in the war zone,” because it’s true. It made me think that this is a new kind of world war we are facing, one that pops up unexpectedly, at all hours. Terror.
What you say about Indian politicians could be quoted verbatim and placed in a US newspaper. Having elected Obama, a lot of people are hoping he will unite us in the goal of creating peace. But like you say here, it can’t be just one party, one person. We all have to cooperate.
Peace to you, Nita.
PS, I’ll be back later to read about feminism, a topic that fascinates me, and I especially want to read your take on the subject.
Christine, thanks. I hate this new world. I want the world of my childhood, where we could walk freely on the streets, without fear. – Nita.
I can’t say I was shocked by this news actually. Terrorist attacks have happened too often, and if it’s not terrorism, it’s civilians rioting..
That being said, I would like to add that I am not shocked by the fact that the govt. failed to act in time even if they were warned. It has happened all over the world. Being a big fan of conspiracy theories I would say, whoever responsible for being passive, probably had an agenda of their own. I hear people say they have lost faith in the government. But I never had any. This term “Biggest Democracy” is being thrown around a lot when referring to India. I would like to dispute that. A democracy suggests that the voters actually make a carefully considered decision who should be in power. Policy should be the deciding factor. But in India, most people get bribed at rallies with booze and food… Not very democratic at all. As long as the system is THAT flawed, how can anything be expected of these power hungry leeches at the top?
http://hedonist666.wordpress.com
Yes ofcourse you are right, any govt. can be caught unawares, but somehow it is happening here with regularity. 😦 And you are right about the democracy bit. It is terribly flawed in India. Not just bribes, people vote for their own communities, they even do it on singing and dancing shows. Few people care about merit. – Nita.
Here’s some information about the Cama Hospital. It is a hospital for women and children set up in 1886. How coward of the terrorists to take that over.
More here… http://onlybombay.blogspot.com/2008/11/cama-hospital-of-mumbai.html
Hi Nita, I totally agree with your post. It is really frightening to see the regularity with which we are being attacked. The saddest thing is that we never get to see any kind of real action being taken to see that this kind of intelligence lapses do not happen. I guess, our political ‘masters’ so to speak have no accountability whatsoever..
Your comment for some reason has slipped into spam, so that was why you are seeing it late here. Also the regularity of getting attacked is something that I hope doesn’t affect people in the wrong sense, which is becoming immune to it or getting used to it. I see this apathy when it comes to our politiciking politicians, I mean the lack of anger. But I am glad I still feel sad, I get angry and I cried when I saw this drama unfolding on tv. – Nita.
many things come to my mind when i look at the recent incidents in mumbai… and its indeed a difficult time for India. i think india must…
1. Kill the perpetrators of violence in encounters; unmasking them to the foreign media/governments is not serving any purpose, we have been doing so since years in Kashmir.
2. Make sure that the inflow of FDI into India is secured, and Indian economy is not affected, which is the main purpose of this attach, and in fact increase the FDI inflow more than ever before, and improve economy more vigorously. yes, this is of prime importance too. Pakistan is being sidelined today only because its economy is down and ours is up, and therefore we can be a hedge against china. So the main grudge of Pakistanis (or Chinese !!) is against Indian economy which has sidelined them today. We could not imagine a pakistani president offering for “Pakistani-ports-for-indian-exports” two years ago.
3. Please stay united, do not let the leaders spread hate among us, Please don’t be fooled by the recent solidarity among politicians displayed today by Advani and sonia and manmohan, just wait for some days before the leaders of various parties (not just Congress and BJP) use this opportunity to push their political agenda.
4. Strengthen the anti-terror laws, BUT BUT make sure that strengthening the laws do not, i repeat, do not marginalize (or make generalizations) any community/religion/caste/region… if the laws do target any community/region/religion/caste “unjustifiably” or without any proper reasoning, then anti-terror law might hurt India instead of helping it…
and let’s please maintain peace and solidarity among ourselves.
thanks for reading, I hope the Mumbai and Indians overall people get the strength and resolve to tackle this situation…
Yes, the main reason for this attack is to make India a bad place for investors, it is the jealousy which is the reason. We need to do a lot more than we are doing to improve our security and I think that the business houses should pressurize the govt. The govt. is least bothered about stopping terror. As someone said on tv, take away the z security of the politicians! They are safe and they don’t care about the common people. They do care about the business houses and business because that is where they get their funds from!
I agree with your point about PM and Advani, I think its a big sham. Their “solidarity” will come apart very soon. – Nita.
Shame on Indian intelligence!!! Apparently ATS was sleeping when terrorists were entering Bombay. How could anyone not notice people carrying AK47’s to star hotels on broad day light? I wish our govt would wake up and do something at least they would take freedom from muslims in this country. They ain’t deserve it.
I think our PM or relevant minister must take responsibility and resign for his position. What was I thinking our politicians would really take responsibility for this massacre?
Ravi, the ATS was busy concentrating on leaking as much news of the Malegaon probe as possible and busy fending off attacks on its integrity. They don’t do much preventive work here I feel. It’s all about reaction. – Nita.
I wish old city in Hyderabad would go under president’s rule. When I was there I felt like I was in Pakistan the place is so weird. Its impossible to know whats goin on and I ended up seeing people speak in some strange language which i never heard of. The whole place and the people of old city (hyd) must be barricaded like a zoo. They should not be allowed to roam around India because it may result in more attacks on innocent people.
Ravi, yes it is sad if people are abandoning their own culture and embracing another, not understanding that religion and culture is not the same thing. However, I do not think you can say that these people are violent or are anti-national, just lost I think. Even the few Indian Muslims caught in the terror net are not mostly from AP, they are from Karnataka, UP, Bihar and Maharashtra and Gujarat mostly. – Nita.
People just sail into Mumbai with arms and ammo and start shooting?? There is more to this than meets the eye….
@Nita,
The translation is “Let him who wants peace, prepare for war”
One can argue – “Killing for peace is like screwing for virginity”, but it means preparing for war,preparing for not getting screwed(raped), war against those who want war, or war against those who would be coming to screw you.
I am to naive to say what the govt.(govt. bodies) could have done to stop it etc., but I don’t think it was prepared for it either and if it was then may be this was the best possible outcome of it.
Okay, nowI get it. But ironic, still. – Nita.
Nita@ How do you know that ‘the ATS was busy concentrating on leaking as much news of the Malegaon probe as possible and busy fending off attacks on its integrity’. ATS is probing other blasts as well and with some degree of success. It is media which was quoting some source at ATS for sensational news items. We don’t have any proof that media was not lying. Lets show some respect to the people who laid down their lives to stop this animals.
It seems ATS is an investigation agency.. I also don’t think they have the manpower and other resources required for doing intelligence work. Moreover as we know very little about their modus operandi of ATS lets not make sweeping remarks like this.
Hoku, that is my opinion. That is what I think. If you are saying whether I have proof, ofcourse not. But I am quite sure of it, from speaking to some people, but no one need believe it. Also if you think I am desrespecting a person, please do not put words in my mouth and twist my words. I have not much regard for the ATS, but the way the ATS functions is a lot to do with politics and I have zero respect for politicians. If you are talking of the ATS chief, I have high regard for him because he relentlessly persecuted people in the Malegoan blasts despite political pressure from the BJP. And it was political pressure (from the congresss) which forced the leakages, and I have no idea if he was personally involved. So please don’t twist my words, specially at a time like this, when I am feeling sad and shaken. I think its the limit of trying to provoke someone – Nita.
@hoku,
The Anti Terrorism Squad – or, as it is usually called, the Anti-Terrorist Squad – is a force of about 30 to 35 police officers in Mumbai, India. This Squad has stopped several attacks in the country in past. It draws its inspiration by Los Angeles Police Department SWAT Special Weapons & Tactics to take control over modern day terrorism.
We believed in work of this people before it was politized.
Rightly said by nita, here we express our feelings.
sunny@ I don’t know how you people have concluded that ATS has been politicized? . The people work there are out and out professionals and doing their job best to their ability. Simply because some media or people with vested interest think so does not undermine their reputation. Any way it’s not my business to try to change peoples perception.
@Hoku
Read this… http://offstumped.nationalinterest.in/2008/11/03/malegaon-blast-case-ats-credibility-not-hindutva-on-trial/
hoku, I know they are out to out pros. But its not just professionalism helps, you need to make sure that politics should be kept away for it.
Which will seldom happen or will happen. Thats where we say live politically driven country. Where things work if it has political interest or some external pressure.
I salute pros like late Mr. Heamt Karkare (and others) who know intensity and take up front line, without waiting for orders from ministers.
Hoku,
All security forces report to politicians despite supreme court orders to reform the process. It is not a question of “politicisation” because all of them report and take their orders from the top. They can be hired, fired, transferred, suspended, all by the politicians whom they report to. And the politicians continuoulsy interfere and actually influence transfers, suspension etc. It is a known fact in India and I don’t see why you don’t know this. It is up to the individual officers how much they resist pressure, and according to Karkare has resisted pressure, again that is my opinion only and I have no proof. My only proof is that he went ahead with the Malegaon blasts probe but had to continously defend his integrity even to tv channels. However there is no way that I can guarantee all senior officers of the ATS. Also there is no way anyone can make a naive statement that any security force in this country is not under the influence of politicians.
Constantly having to defend themselves against politicians attakcs stops officers from doing their duty, when there is pressure and demand to prove their integrity, which I have already said. It leaves them less time to do their work. No one can work when every decision or action they take they are accused of ulterior motives by one party and another party says something else. That is what I meant in my first comment. These people are unable to do their job, they have no time for preventive terrorism, and so I stand my every word I said although I have no documents to prove it.
P.s Also you will find many links in this blog itself and also on the web which talk of the Supreme court orders to reform the security agencies, so I am not talking my opinion here. There are a whole slew of reforms, but that is outside the scope of this post.
PPS, Here is a link to prove what I said, about how political parties were casting aspersions on Karkare’s integrity, here. With these kind of accusations, it is difficult for cops to their duty and I salute Karkare for resisting this pressure. Again I have no proof that Karkare was right in catching catching the sadhvi and col. purohit, but if anyone has read my post on the malegoan blasts I have clearly said that they could be guilty, that we should not go into denial, that investigating agencies should be allowed to do their job. So I repeat, there was constant political inference in the working of the ATS, lots of allegations, pressure to release information even before the investigation was completed (this information is from a senior police officer) and these kind of things hamper the working of the police force or any security force.
It’s a vicious circle, Nita. The politicians don’t give a damn about anything other than their chair and pockets, and those who do care about the country hardly ever enter politics. If they do, it’s a matter of time before they’re sucked into the mess.
It’s a shame, whatever is going on. The sad part is, people like us can only sit along the sidelines and speculate…I feels so useless and helpless at times.
@Shefaly: “Countries survive and thrive not because of but despite its politicians.” – You snatched the words from my mouth (well, keyboard).So true – not to mention infuriating.
-g
Nita,
Its really hard to find how to keep of rumors, My office went chaotic on rumors of firing at CST again(a rumor).
Its always good to remain calm, but now things are really believed to have lost its direction.
Nita,
Is it true…? That for some 3-4 hours in mumbai the entire satellite channels & Cable have been blackened.
Yes, I wouldn’t say 3-4 hours, in my area it was for one hour or may a little more. We couldn’t get any news channel, in any language for this time, but we got other channels, the entertainment channels. I think this happened because the tv news channels were showing detailed footage of action of the commandoes, as it its a movie. When the tv came on again, then the oberoi had been cleared. Now there is no terrorist at the Oberois but other two locations still have terrorists and encounter is going on – Nita
As the terrorists are from Pakistan we can’t do anything.And also it seems there is big internal conspirancy that Indian police and NSG commandos are not provided with proper arms by our Indian government.This is greater threat to the nation as the police officers themselves are putting their lives into danger along with indian citizens.
Not providing arms to our police seems to be a dangerous conspirancy of the Indian government.
Kumar,
There were jamming of mobile networks for some time when rumors were on peak. But now scenario is better.
News channel were not blackened but were asked to responsible enough, not to display latest news as there were chances of terrorist getting updates through Media.
Sunny, our news channels went off air for quite some time as I have said in my reply to Kumar. – Nita.
Nita,
Though police are claiming Oberoi is cleared there are still grenade explosions happening.
No, that’s at the Taj. – Nita.
Nita, I couldn’t understand the logic of LK Advani visiting Taj when the NSG commandoes were fighting the terrorists. The overstressed and overworked Mumbai police had to divert its resources to provide security to him and Narendra Modi. You don’t need to be a genius to find out that there was a major intelligence failure but Advani harping about it at such a delicate time was not in a very good taste. I am surprised that Raj Thackeray and his illustrious uncle are not visible. They should be visiting the hospitals at least donating blood for the victims. Is it only me or Vilasrao Deshmukh seems to be a useless person to others as well?
Cricket is no problem. The one day series was in any case over, 5-0 and 7-0 is not much different. The English team will be back for the test matches.
Prerna, Vilasrao Deshmukh heads the most corrupt government that this state has ever seen. So you can then perhaps call him quite effective for making MH famous for corruption! Hopefully the electorate will overthrow his government during the next election, although the alternatives also worry me. And I don’t think Advani’s any action is in good taste. Lets start with Babri masjid. – Nita.
Nita, glad to know that at least you are safe. What a horrifying attack! If this does not bring home the fact that “anyone can attack from anywhere”, all the casualties that have occurred and are still occurring would be in vain. I hope this spurs the Indian government into putting place stringent laws at all ports of entry into the country – they need to take this fight against terrorism to an altogether new level.
Nita, the alternative is scarier. The only hope could be if the chief ministerial candidate is changed.
There isnt much done concerning security for important establishments. We all know Pakistan promotes terrorism in India but its so sad that there is no proper watch on the waters of Bombay. The terrorists did their job to perfection but our intelligence and security authorities did not therefore, it resulted in the loss of life and property. Now I seriously doubt all this would not effect our foreign investment. Peace is important for the progress of any country and our politicians are not letting it to happen. I wish these terrorists had bombed our parliament with all the politicians in there.
Where the hell is our PM? what is he doing? apparently he is waiting for the terrorists to bomb IBM in pune and Microsoft in Hyd. It is very unfortunate that we have leaders who are not only selfish but also weak in their mind. I wish we could have someone like Ms.Indira gandhi who made the terrorists in Punjab pee in their pants!
Though i am an indian & my country is under attack, i am unable to stop myself appreciating these pakistani guys who are the terrorists. These are some of the reasons i like to mention which had made me to appreciate them.
1) They are just between 18-28 years old as per the reports & Looks.
2) The kind of professionalism & Courage they had exhibited when carrying out these attacks.
3) Their belief in their motto and the kind of motivation they are carrying.
4) If we can observe their pics in the TV/Press They look so confidant and with complete belief imagine how strong they are mentally.
5) The way they carried/carrying the operation till so long without proper food or sleep imagine for a human to do an anti-human activity how much motivation and belief is needed.
6) Their are reports that even FBI got stunned with the kind of coordination these people are having.
7) Imagine for a person to perform an activity of this scale immidiately after arriving on a foreign soil..how difficult it will be.
(See, When i travel from hyderabad to delhi after a 2 hours of flight journey i feel bit discomfortable for atleast one hour after landing its not due to journey ..its new topography/terrain which makes me so for foreign country i can’t adjust atleast for 2 days.
8) Have anybody heard in a channel Aaj-tak a captive had revealed that the terrorists were confirming with their bosses (Karachi) about the payment of the money to their families.Even just for the payment or their motto/mission ..they deserve appreciation for individual & collective human effort they had successfully & professionally put.
9) Finally, for any person living on this planet its the objective/Goal which matters at the end of the game …They were 100% successful in what they want to acheive and they had acheived.
Can you really compare their operational qualities with ours,
1) like our Central/state Governments reaction to the attacks.
2) Our Mumbai Police reaction.
3) Our National Security Guards (NSG) reaction.
4) Our Armed forces reaction.
5) Our fire brigade reaction.
Well, honestly i am sure somewhere we are lacking. Donno where…I agree & accept since the attacks are unprecendented and surprising.But no excuse can take us back to perform.Somewhere we messed the whole operation.It shouldn’t have taken this much of time.We had given them a chance infact to kill the hostages when the terrorists felt they are comming closer ..to end they had killed the hostages. They are 100% successful in what they had planned for.
Here i am providing a israeli news link about our operations quality & nature.
jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cidJPArticle
kumar,
I agree with you on point of professionalism this terrorist showed. They were up-to date with technology. Information and planning was impeakable, and best was they got the plan executed as it was planned(not like our government plans on security.).
I am sad with attacks, but then here are the words of a NSG personnel who fought with terrorist said,” We were not sure, if we are fighting against emotionally motivated militants or professionaly trained comondos? we were unable to read their tactics? this were far more advanced then we face in J & K.”
mumbai hostage situation over… thankfully.
God bless NSG, ATS (including Mr. hemant karkare), marcos, mumbai police, and of course the brave taj employees…. maybe the forces were not as much “trained” and “coordinated” as the young terrorists (our politicians or corruption have not allowed for all that level of training I guess) but these forces were committed enough to save our lives more than their own…. and that’s wht that has saved us from having given out any mujahideens in return for any foreign hostages… salute to our forces…
so politicians, if you’re listening, wht are you waiting for now? let your mudslinging and blame games begin…
The mudslinging has already begun studboy and this time lets not blame the politicians. lets blame the communal people of India. And you will know what I mean from the post I published today. – Nita.
I m sure today people can remember the names of
‘Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan of NSG from bangalore’ and ‘ATS chief Mr. hemant karkare from mumbai’ after mumbai’s face-to-face with terror…
How many of us remember the names of kargil heroes? so, if we cannot remember even their names now can we deserve to ask them to give their lives for us? some people talk abt “less-salaries-for-indian-forces” as a sole reason for less applications to indian armed forces, how disconnected, i felt..
someone might say media does not give them enough coverage, and then someone working in media will most probably say that media gives coverage only to things that people are interested in…
the most important thing that the armed forces and “the families of soldiers who are killed in armed conflicts” crave for is the recognition of their services to the nation… its not the pay-scale that motivates him/her to lay their lives (or fourse its important to have good salary to pay bills but its not sufficient), also its not the training prepares them to deliver their lives for a national cause, its the feeling that does… i have known people in armed forces personally, some of them in my apartment in delhi, this is what i have understood after knowing them personally…
I can just hope that my comment is not lost in the heap of comments on this topic…
I just wish that the political parties stop making terrorism an agenda for the elections. Its sickening and disgusting. Terrorism is something on which all political parties should stand together.
It seems anything “Indian” …..means “Cry Babies”
1) Our Central/State Governments.
2) Our politicians.
2) Our People.
3) Our Media.
4) Our celebrities.
All Indians Just they are “Cry Babies” with “No Action” They just like Fun movies,music, televisions to be specific typical
indian spicy masala…Celebrate..Lets see how many days we can.
Everyone except our industralists,Businessmen,entrepreneuer’s,our bueaucrats,our armed forces.But their performace is
linked to our politicians and their policies.
I am pretty sure by killing,using and abusing indian citizens with slogans like “Spirit of Mumbai” or “Spirit of Indianness” we
will
forget all this and get back to work only to watch another weekend bollywood get-together function in the name of national
integration with couple of musical scores.
I am 100% sure remember my words our government will not take action on this attack just like those number of bomb blasts
happening every month in one city or the other.These politicians & government will only wait to see indians face another
terrorist attack in another corner of our country.(maybe in few days or months..no wonder in that…God knows)
INDIANS are just “CRY BABIES” & with “NO ACTION”
There are politicians who refuse to do anything because they want to garner certain votes, even if it is at the cost of our lives. Shameless, spineless and barbaric desh-derohi’s!
@Kumar
your comment as quoted “i am unable to stop myself appreciating these pakistani guys who are the terrorists” end quote… You appreciate terrorists? Though the approach of Indian rescue team may not be as well planned, you shouldn’t be glorifying terrorists for that. I don’t think so. You quote, “Indians are just cry babies & with no action”, end quote.. point 1 finger to all Indians, but 3 fingers are pointing towards you.
It is so tragic that you are an Indian.
I paraphrase Nita,
Politicians are more interested in infighting and playing games rather than show any interest in tackling terror and solving problems.
I am in the United States where we just went through a difficult presidential election. Perhaps you heard something about it ;). The party politicians here were and are more interested in scoring political points than actually doing something, anything, that might solve a bad situation, or fill a hole in the road.
Here we have a saying that all politics is local. What you describe, Nita, shows that not only is it all local but it’s the same everywhere.
My condolences on your national crisis and tragedy in Mumbai.
I am not a coward like a normal Indian with just “no action”.
What are the goals of a normal indian.
1) Money.
2) Job
3) Wife or a Girl.
4) Family & Kids.
5) Cricket/bollywood/entertainment.
Finally when someone opens fire ..just make a nature call,…This is the truth of indians and its Indian Government.
I prefer & would rather like to live my life like them,Courageous,brave,without fear ..Not like Indian cowards.They just take bullets and bombs with “NO ACTIONS” forget everything after funeral and will again go back to work in the name of career and money.