Life is back to normal in Mumbai even though anger remains in everyone’s heart. Each and every citizen we talked wants justice this time. “Enough is Enough” is what the people have been saying and further adding that the politicians who have ignored the warnings, have taken each attack so lightly should not be asked to resign, should be penalized to work hard and find a solution, interesting huh!

A Taxi Driver in Mumbai said “Patil pehle istifa kyu nahin diya jab Bangalore, Delhi, Jaipur mein Dhamaka Hua. Pehle de deta aur koi achcha minister aata toh Mumbai Dhamaka toh nahin hota.. (Why didnt Mr. Shivraj Patil offered resignation before when we had blasts in Bangalore, Delhi and Jaipur. Had he offered his resignation then and a able minister taken his post the Mumbai Attacks would have been averted)”. One said “Minister ko toh dugna kaam karwao and agar next time dhamaka hoga toh unko face karne do (Ministers should work double hard now and if at all there is blast next time they should face it (and not NSGs))”. Probably anger against the politicians is at its peak now!

However, the big question is – Why is every time there is a blast we get news that intelligent warning was ignored”. On Mumbai Attacks, can we ask the Government, who was that BLESSED FACE who ignored such important warning? Shouldn’t that person or department be criminally prosecuted. Doesn’t that department or person know we have had paid HUGE PRICE in terms of lives and property in the past ignoring those warnings?

FIA (federal Investigation Agency) was due to setup in the year 2002 and because of the opposition from State Governments that was never implemented. Why? Some said like POTA law, FIA will be misused and it will intrude into the power of the local police. What a SHAMEFUL justification! Now, where are those State Government Hiding? Do you have any answers now?

It will take a while for people to heal the wound, but the scar, the terror, the nightmare will haunt for years to come. Ultimately we have learnt a big lesson from this blast – even a small warning or report should not be ignored, ministers and security agencies should be doing their jobs correctly and one mistake can cause HUGE disaster.

Further, we just cannot rely on the security agencies, ministers. We ignore many suspicious activities and movement, which if taken seriously might avert some problems.
Though we are not the best person to advise what steps should be taken, here are some thoughts:

  • No phone cards or phone sim should be made available without proper verifications. If terrorist is found using the SIM, the telecom provider company should be questioned on the issuance
  • Landlords must double check with at least two references and further get all the details like Voter Card or Passport and submit to the Police Station. It should be verified within 7-10 days and then only the tenants should be allowed to occupy the house. We understand it’s a PAIN, but a little pain now can save millions in the future.
  • Hotels, Lodges and even small guest houses should double check their guests and ask for identification before allowing them entry. For foreigners it has to be a passport and valid VISA; for locals, it should be designated ID cards like Voter or Driving Licence or Ration Card or a Passport.
  • CCTV should be installed at all market places, banks, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations and airports. And there should be someone to monitor and someone to act immediately at the location of the camera
  • All Private Institutions, Companies and Offices should have security systems installed with CCTV and one switch access to the nearest Police Station
  • Corporate should double check their employees before hiring. Co-employees should inform their HR of any suspicious activities of their fellow-employee, if any
  • Small centers are the birth place for terrorist plans. These places should be kept under strict vigilance. Locals should be alert in identifying new faces around and ensuring that the new person presence is in the knowledge of the local police.
  • Bank Transactions should be monitored. All transactions above INR 50,000 should be questioned and reasons noted. Any Suspicious account should be referred to the agency for investigations.
  • Neighbour Watch – There should be neighbour watch scheme where in security agency approved watchman should keep vigil 24 hrs and inform any suspicious activities. That would also mean decrease in local crimes
  • Sale of second hand four and two wheelers should be double check.
  • Taxi and Auto Drivers should keep a tap on their customers and any suspicious baggage or persons info should be immediately notified to the patrolling police van
  • And lastly you, me, the citizens of India should keep their eyes, ears and mind open for any suspicious activities. Such acivities should be brought to notice to the nearest Ploice or ATS help Center. Remember one ignore from you can cost your, your family or friends’ lives.
email