On 13th July 2011, Mumbai experienced three bomb blasts at crowded places. The death toll resulting from these blasts is already 26. Mumbai, a cosmopolitan, multi-religious and multi-ethnic city, the financial hub of the country, has been a soft target for terrorists. It has been a target atleast nine times in the last decade. The attacks have been coming with greater intensity and frequency since 2003. The recent blasts took place when the citizens of Mumbai had not yet forgotten the blasts at seven suburban railway stations in 2006, and the deadly attacks at CST railway station and two five-star hotels in south Mumbai in 2008.
The Mumbai police have not yet been successful in identifying the terrorist groups responsible for the latest bomb attacks. They are still groping in the dark. The blame game by the politicians to score brownie points has begun.
While this time around, the response from various agencies after the blast showed improvement, what is worrying is the inaction and the apathy towards preventing the terrorist attacks. The State Government had set up the State Security Council after the terrorist attacks in 2008. The Council in turn, set up six study groups for making recommendations. However, after the initial meeting held after setting up of the Council, the State Government did not feel it necessary to convene even a single meeting of the Council, till the recent bomb blasts.
Various promises were made after the terrorist attacks in 2008; most of them remain unfulfilled. The plan was to set up a sophisticated commando unit – Force One – similar to National Security Guards. The Force One has been set up, but it is facing various issues in terms of equipment, space and motivated officers. The Marine Wing of the Police was to be strengthened with 28 bulletproof speedboats equipped with radar and GPS. However, only 12 such boats have been deployed till now. Photographs published in the print media suggest that even these boats have not been functional due to shortage of diesel. If that is true, it is rather pathetic and disappointing. Over 2000 CCTVs were to be installed. One does not know how many have been actually installed; and out of those installed, how many are functioning and how the data is used.
Padma Bhushan Mr. Julio Ribeiro, while speaking at the 63rd Founding Day celebrations of the Society, referred to systemic destruction of the professionalism of the State Police. Rampant interference by the political bosses has made even the Commissioner of Police of Mumbai rather ineffective. In the long run, these factors do contribute to reduced security for the citizens.
The Home Minister P. C. Chidambaram, in a press conference, stated that it was difficult to defend a country with a population of a billion plus, while Rahul Gandhi, (the Prime Minister in-waiting?) said that there was always one percent chance that the terrorists would succeed in their attacks. While there is truth in what these gentlemen said, these statements do not provide any solace to the citizens. Citizens of Mumbai are not impressed! The common man is worried about the inadequate efforts and the indifference shown towards the security of Mumbai.
The general public and the elite showed tremendous awareness after the 2008 attacks, but became reticent soon thereafter. Most of us do not really know what we can do to secure ourselves and our fellow citizens. The Government and the police need to educate the citizens on this front. It is also our duty to understand what we can do on our part, to make life safer and more secure. We need to be vigilant, and ask questions to the Government and bureaucrats on various issues to keep them on their toes. As they say “God helps those who help themselves”.
