Condemnable, heinous, inhuman … words fail to convey our frustration on the crime against humanity committed in Mumbai. It was a virtual mayhem of innocents executed with utmost barbarism when Indians and foreign nationals were mercilessly attacked and murdered at 11 prime locations including Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi/Trident Hotel, CST Railway Station and other places. The terrorist attack resulted in the death of 195 people including 26 foreign nationals hailing from about a dozen countries. It took 60 hours to put an end to this most daring and most cruel attack on the dignity of our country.
One fails to understand, after all, what was the objective of desperadoes, who were destined to finally fall to the bullets of police and security agencies. And who inspired them to commit this atrocity? The important thing is that the persons and powers behind these attacks should be tracked down and an exemplary lesson should be taught to them.
The attack on Mumbai has given rise to many disturbing questions which cry for answers from the government and the security agencies, who are responsible not only for protecting the limb and life of citizens but also the dignity of the nation. It has opened to criticism the preparedness of our intelligence and security agencies.
It is being alleged that the terrorists, who were just over a dozen or so, sneaked into Mumbai from sea route and that also from the busy tourist spot of Gateway of India. It is bewildering and mind-boggling and cannot be easily acceptable for anyone with an iota of common sense. Really it is shocking and shameful. Therefore it was quite natural that Mr. Shivraj Patil, the Home Minister had to put in his papers.
About a dozen valiant policemen had to sacrifice their lives to put an end to the dreaded terrorists. It is intriguing that Mr. Hemant Karkare, the ATS Maharashtra chief, who had reportedly received death threats for unravelling the role of Hindutva outfits in recent bomb blasts, also had to lay down his life while fighting the terrorists. Did he die from a terrorist bullet or was killed by some home-grown “nationalist-terrorists” must be investigated impartially. He was instrumental in bringing to book militant Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, army officer Shrikant Purohit, so-called godman Dyanand Pandey and a number of their collaborators who are suspected to be behind a number of bomb attacks in Maharashtra and elsewhere.
The BJP leaders had publicly showed their sympathy for Sadhvi and her co-conspirators. They had openly given vent to their disgust with Mr. Karkare and asked that the probe should be handed over to CBI. How is it that the ‘terrorists’ have accomplished what BJP leaders wanted? It is feared that now when ATS chief has been eliminated the probe he was heading can be conveniently handed over to a person of Mr. Advani’s and Mr. Rajnath’s choice.
Another question which begs answer is why it is that the foreign terrorists always strike on the eve of elections? These attacks always help BJP in polarising the electorate on communal lines and strengthening its vote bank. It should be seriously investigated if Mossad or other agencies, who have developed a vested interest in dividing Indians and destabilising India, are behind these attacks. India and the future of Indians is in peril. Therefore, it is the duty of the government, media and concerned citizens to unravel the perpetrators of these crimes so that a full stop may be put to acts of terrorism once and for all.