What happens when we all get carried away with the whole idea of ‘Spirit of Mumbai’? Is there a possibility that our zeal to bounce back after any sort of tragedy and craving for masala in life could backfire? And create a nuisance for an on-going rescue operation?
On Friday morning, as National Security Guards began the final assault at Nariman House to flush out six terrorists, spectators assembled all around to watch the action live. The loud gun shots every now and then wouldn’t have held these curious onlookers back. Several RAF soldiers spent the day pleading them to move back.
“People don’t realize the gravity of the situation. If a terrorist gets out on the street right now, we will have to chase him and open fire. Others might get hurt in the process. But this nobody understands,” said an RAF soldier stationed near Nariman House.
Two Hundred meters away from the building, straight in the line of sight, were at least 100 people standing, observing the proceedings of operation Black Tornado. At one point, when they moved too close to danger zone, police began to send them back. The movement caused panic in the crowd, with people in the back running around and shouting.
This is apart from the crowd on the terraces and windows of nearby buildings. Reports had already come of a family being shot as they came out on their balcony to check out the gun battle. Yet, the sleep deprived people of Colaba sat on their windows, eating poha for breakfast and hearing gunshots in the background. Is that a desperate measure to bring back some sort of normalcy in life or is it just hunger for thrills?
Lets flashback to the previous evening. At 7.30pm, Marine Drive is a crowded place- tourists, walkers, young couples and much more. It wasn’t any different on Thursday evening. Life went on as usual despite the fact that a few hundred meters down the road bombs were going off and bullets were flying around at Trident Hotel.
Apparently the fight between the security personnel and terrorists, in one of the most horrendous terror attacks that Mumbai has seen, acted as an added attraction for city people.
Bipin Kanani, a businessman said, “My wife and I were getting bored at home. So we decided to go ahead with our daily walk on Marine Drive. (Pauses to peek as a grenade goes off 300 meters away and then continues nonchalantly) What is there to feel scared about? There are people all around.”
A similar sentiment is echoed by the parents of two year old Zubina Susnerwala, who had taken their kid out for a walk. DNA saw families strolling about, ladies walking dogs and children running around.
Sandy and Kim, researchers from Australia, who were amazed to see the casual environment at Marine Drive, said it made them feel comfortable. “I would be scared if there were snipers on the roofs, choppers hovering and people locked in their own homes,” said Sandy.
Sometimes, if such rescue operations get out of hand, bystanders end up getting injured and even losing their lives. Is it all worth it? What justifies taking the attention of security forces from rescuing hostages and catching the terrorists into dealing with crowds full of children, old people and women when clearly the choice can be avoided? One wonders.
(Eyewitness accounts from the time Archana n I spent at Taj, Oberoi and Nariman House covering the 3 day rescue operations. This probably belongs to DNA even though it wasnt printed in the main edition and was only put up on the website dnaindia.com )
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