Blasts in Mumbai’s local trains.

http://mumbai.metblogs.com/archives/images/2006/07/DSCN8372-thumb.JPG

Seven blasts in Mumbai’s local trains. Matunga, Bandra, Khar, Jogeshwari, Borivli, Bhayandar and between Khar-Bandra over the Khar subway. The blasts happened at peakhour when most of Mumbai’s working population returns home using the local trains. Reports vary – 35 to 50 people are dead, and countless injured. But to those of us who have seen the local trains, we know that the figures are much much higher.

There are injured and dead people lying on the tracks. No police in the picture, no fire brigades. Its the local people, the shopkeepers and the people wo live close to the house who are coming into help. Carrying bodies both alive and dead in bedhseets. Some tiny bundles, perhaps with limbs within, or maybe children.

***

Whom were you trying to target? The working class men who struggle for an inch of space in local trains? The working women who knit and cut vegetables in trains on their way home? Young, dreamy students discussing exams and love? The babies accompanying their mothers, smiling back at the women around them?

Darkness is fast falling. Its raining like it will not stop. Will the rains wash away the blood? Will tomorrow be a new day. Here’s to lost lifes and broken dreams.

30 Comments so far

  1. Jamash (unregistered) on July 11th, 2006 @ 10:26 pm

    I just sow the news at BBC, Such a horrifying and sad day today, The explosions in Mumbai is a Barbaric and cowardly act of terrorism, I have seen some really heartbreaking and sad images on the BBC….. I on behalf of my fellow my fellow citizens and countrymen, condemn such a barbaric attack on humanity.


  2. dieselboi (unregistered) on July 11th, 2006 @ 10:37 pm

    Sending our thoughts and prayer out to Mumbai. Portland Metblogs.


  3. Philipp (unregistered) on July 11th, 2006 @ 10:45 pm

    Our thoughts are with you, and we all hope you and your loved ones are safe. Vienna Metblogs.


  4. USC Trojan (unregistered) on July 11th, 2006 @ 10:57 pm

    These type of blasts are true depiction of the cowardice that runs in the blood of these fanatic terrorists.

    Obviously this was a coordinated and planned attack, so it has to be something that was in the works for a while. Where did they live? How did they plan such an attack?

    The culprits better be found soon. Seems like there was an arrest made in Delhi already, possibly related to the blasts. Funny how quickly that happens, eh?


  5. Joy (unregistered) on July 11th, 2006 @ 10:58 pm

    Terrorism is never pretty. It doesn’t care for the disrupted lives. These are fanatics, who manipulate religion for their cause, seemingly oblivous to the repercussions of their actions.

    Here’s to wishing eternity in hell, for the perpetators of this heinous crime.


  6. Akshay (unregistered) on July 11th, 2006 @ 11:22 pm

    My condolences to all the people who have lost someone today in this barbaric attack. Tomorrow will be a new day, but yesterday should not be forgotten. We, Mumbaikars, will rise once again like we have done before. But the guilty should not go unpunished.


  7. Jim (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 12:49 am

    I send my prayers for the people of Mumbai and the whole nation from my home in the U.S. I’m so terribly sorry your city’s people have been attacked this way.


  8. J. Star (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 1:14 am

    Our thoughts are with you. We can only imagine the terror by seeing pictures; it can’t compare to the reality of seeing the scene in front of you.

    Peace and strength to you.


  9. Ronnie (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 1:33 am

    Quote:Whom were you trying to target?

    From your decription of the passengers, its over 90% of Indian population. That is their true target, Indians like you & me. It is never about politics, never have been, never will be, inspite of all political ramblings on websites and TV channels, like AL-Jazeera. It was always about murder, mayhem and chaos. Its about a failed state desperately trying make itself look better. Its about a general trying to cling on to power, tring to divert the anger from him to Indians, like you and me.


  10. Ravi Kamdar (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 1:35 am

    It happens every year in low or high magnitude. Because we constantly prove that our life is so cheap that a small number of terrorists can attack us and kill us. The powerful law like POTA is removed to get votes. Security of the nation is more important than human rights. When humans loose their lives, hell with human rights..


  11. sab (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 2:36 am

    Selma, I was very touched by your sad comments and questions. We are still very far from global peace and understanding – perhaps further than we have ever been. Let’s try and establish cross-cultural links through blogs and other ways of breaking down barriers without pain.

    We’re thinking of you very much here in Paris.

    Sab
    http://paris.metblogs.com


  12. Jim (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 3:13 am

    Ravi,

    What good is life if those with freedom and human rights relinquish rights and just become caged animals? Safe? Maybe. Good? No.


  13. BB (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 3:23 am

    Thank you for writing. Thank you for pointing out that it is the working people suffering. Whether NYC, or Bush’s invasion of Iraq, religious terrorists or state sponsored terrorist, they are cowards, like Bush. The heroes are those who can face the situation and lend a hand. Thank you for writing.


  14. Tenn (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 7:44 am

    BB;

    I somehow don’t see the connection between Bush and inhuman acts such as these. Bush may have started a war, but he’s not a terrorist.

    These terrorists are cowards, yes, but you needn’t involve Bush in such a thing.

    Selma;

    This is terrible… and you are right. It isn’t a human who attacks innocent people during their daily lives.


  15. Zain (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 11:06 am

    Its indeed very sad. Words cannot express grief here but let me tell you Mumbai, we are with you! Those who have done it are cowards who can’t come face to face and fight.

    I want you to know that there are a lot of people in Pakistan who love you and can feel what you are going through at this time full of trouble.

    Best wishes from Pakistan!


  16. gobindkanjani (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 12:23 pm

    Mumbai lives on mumbaikar’s strenght. It is amazing……


  17. Arti (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 12:53 pm

    Whatever happened in Mumbai is nothing but act of cowardice! It is really very disgusting. It is always the common man who suffers!
    It has also been observed that common man is the one who comes to the rescue of the common man!!

    Though the city has rolled back to routine life, the pain would always remain in the hearts of the people.

    May the soul of those who have died rest in peace
    I am praying for the speedy recovery of those who are injured.
    May God be with the relatives of those who are affected.

    GBU
    Arti


  18. Justin (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 1:28 pm

    And once again the working people are slain to further the ambitions of radicals. Why should innocent mothers, fathers, children, have to die to further the aims of the (often wealthy) fanatics? Australia (and the world) weeps for the slain in Mumbai.


  19. Vipula (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 2:29 pm

    I share ur rage, I hope there is an outcome of this anger amongst the ppl of Mumbai and those related to the city. Or else, like everytime we will only empathise and help and forget about the whole thing.


  20. Champak (unregistered) on July 12th, 2006 @ 10:24 pm

    How many more innocents need to die before the spineless Indian govt. will do something. Perhaps it is too much to ask of an enuch administration, well I will take it back, for I might be slighting the feelings of that particular minority.

    It is disgusting that while whole bunch of innocent children would have lost their parents, families their bread winners, bloggers make the usual comments expressing sorrow, sympathy etc, politicians loke Shabana Azmi say now is not the time to point fingers, may I ask why not now, is it because the finger is pointing at the usual suspects and rightfully so. Everybody knows that if enough time passes Mumbaikars will again forget this dastardly crime. If you dont learn from the past you are destined to suffer again. You dont have to be a genius to know that it is the handiwork of Muslim Terrorists. Question is how do you tackle them, by grovelling and appealing to their kindness or by hitting them BACK real hard


  21. Selma Mirza (unregistered) on July 13th, 2006 @ 12:16 am

    Thank your your kind words. Thank you for being with us in our time of calamity. It is your love and kindness that keeps this city alive.


  22. Anil Passi (unregistered) on July 13th, 2006 @ 6:10 am

    These bomb blasts in Mumbai reflect the desperation of terrorists.

    These terrorists are running out of options, hence resorting to such dastardly acts.

    Killing innocent train travellers is like an aged man slapping a little innocent/helpless child, a dreadfully shameful act. What more to say…

    Anil Passi


  23. Deepa (unregistered) on July 15th, 2006 @ 11:01 am

    The act of killing anyone innocent is deplorable. With every person on board that train who lost their lives, there were 10s of people back at home the terrorists have killed. Its high time the govt. wakes up, has stringent rules, that state a tooth a tooth, an eye for an eye. How can someone still run trials for the ones arrested/convicted in the bombings of 1993!!
    We need to protect the folks of our country. India need to ensure that everytime some one even thinks of hurting our innocent citizens, they will reconsider, trying to implement them being far off. We need to have the electric chairs, death penalties being given for such folks, and if the humanitarian folks who are anti this feel so, then need to come up with ideas, on how they think they can punish ppl who have no respect for others lives, lives of children, expectant mothers, innocent beings.


  24. Amit (unregistered) on July 16th, 2006 @ 10:09 pm

    Hello Mr PM..We are celebrating Spirit of Mumbai , u and ur Assholes Cabinate with that italian whore can celebrate the Spirit of being in Power..U can sleep off it does not matter we people will celebrate this Spirit even if 5000 would have died..
    We dont need bastard Politcians to save us terror attacks we are a fucked up democracy and we fuckers have elected u bastards into Power .
    right under ur nose there are supports of SIMI like arjun singh, A.r antule and Mulayam singh, salman khurshid , keep on the agenda anc keep collection votes and let the nation bleed.
    U can do roits here torch busses in malegoan and if u are killed in police firing u would be given monetory compensation.bastards we dont pay taxes to pay those bloody hardline relegious fanatic who want to implement 1000 old islam in this country .
    Last thing Mr PM root of all this is pakistan and 20 crore homegrown bastards who eat free bread of this nation and support osama bin laden and pakistan ..be like isreal which has a single motto “Perish with pride that surviing like cowards”


  25. sam (unregistered) on July 21st, 2006 @ 12:09 pm

    tuesday’s suburban train blasts have a left a indelible scar on our day to day lives. it’s not just
    the fact that the trains are the lifeline of the city. i think ordinary citizens like you and me
    are sick of the fact that while the citizenry suffers, even the most menial of politicians are
    laughing their way to their benaami accounts. this was demonstrated amply twice in
    quick succession, the rains in the earlier week setting the tone. the ruling class in
    maharashtra as well as the alternative, both are two sides of the same coin. politicians
    in both camps have failed to represent the voice of Bombay forcefully and effectively at
    the centre. despite contributing predominantly to the national treasury, all the city gets
    is a pittance. political will is non-existent except in issues which concern vote-banks. and
    the great middle-class, which every one raves about, reads the same story in the papers
    every day, shakes his head and gets on with their jobs. that is the bottom line. the job
    should be done.
    i am sick of hearing the television newsreader say the phrase “the spirit of mumbai is
    indomitable”. i personally believe that we as bombaites, not mumbaites, have failed in
    the sense that though we have felt anger and frustration about these reprehensible acts,
    we have not channelised it effectively for our own benefit. because the political class is
    shameless and will get more so with passage of time, we as citizens should raise our
    concerns loudly and effectively. none of the accused in all previous blasts have yet been
    convicted. so the bombayite feels, as i do perhaps, that his lone voice will and cant make
    a difference. the job should be done? wrong. not at all cost. not at the cost of our city.
    i accept thatI i was wrong. there may not be any difference in the end but the important
    issue is to raise our concerns in whatever medium one is comfortable with. Bombay
    as a city, shall be always vulnerable to terrorist activities. the important thing, however
    is to keep on trying. if you believe even a word of what i feel pass the thought onwards.
    not the mail, perhaps. but the thought, definitely.


  26. Sreya (unregistered) on July 22nd, 2006 @ 1:29 am

    Sam,
    I am a policy analyst working in a US based think tank.
    Being so far away from my country, I feel really helpless that I have to witness such gory deeds silently.
    I completely agree that no body is taking any interest or action after the recent mumbai blasts.
    Recently, Israel attacked Palestine so fiercely after 2 Israeli soldiers were captured, whereas in India, death of more than 200 people in a single day does not cause in stur at any political level.
    Nobody knows what will work or what will actually make the useless political leaders think about these repeated attacks on mumbai seriously.
    But atleast we have to try.
    If you or anyone is interested, a group of my friends who are Indians mostly in the research field residing outside India and me…we are planning to write to the defense ministry about our concern regarding this unpurturbed behavior of elected officials towards Mumbai.
    I know that the chances are rather slim that any one will notice this effort. But atleast we can try.
    People can fast and rally over caste issues, whereas no one is getting mobilized to form a group and protest against such non-action.
    In case, any body is interested in our effort, please e-mail me at sreya77@rediffmail.com

    Waiting to here from any one who is interested.

    Best,
    Sreya Sarkar


  27. Sreya (unregistered) on July 22nd, 2006 @ 1:30 am

    Sam,
    I am a policy analyst working in a US based think tank.
    Being so far away from my country, I feel really helpless that I have to witness such gory deeds silently.
    I completely agree that no body is taking any interest or action after the recent mumbai blasts.
    Recently, Israel attacked Palestine so fiercely after 2 Israeli soldiers were captured, whereas in India, death of more than 200 people in a single day does not cause in stur at any political level.
    Nobody knows what will work or what will actually make the useless political leaders think about these repeated attacks on mumbai seriously.
    But atleast we have to try.
    If you or anyone is interested, a group of my friends who are Indians mostly in the research field residing outside India and me…we are planning to write to the defense ministry about our concern regarding this unpurturbed behavior of elected officials towards Mumbai.
    I know that the chances are rather slim that any one will notice this effort. But atleast we can try.
    People can fast and rally over caste issues, whereas no one is getting mobilized to form a group and protest against such non-action.
    In case, any body is interested in our effort, please e-mail me at sreya77@rediffmail.com

    Waiting to here from any one who is interested.

    Best,
    Sreya Sarkar


  28. salil (unregistered) on July 24th, 2006 @ 2:44 pm

    It’s nice to hear your views Sreya, considering that you are a policy analyst. My initial reactions were quite like yours, espousing Israel-like action. However, when you mull over it, you will realise that there is a lot of difference between the situation in India and Israel. Israel is not the best analogy and isn’t something we should be looking at. I’ve just penned my thots on the same issue on my blog… do check it out nd see why it’d be silly to go the Israel-way.
    http://me-thinks.blogspot.com


  29. RAHUL KATOCH (unregistered) on July 25th, 2006 @ 2:31 pm

    Hay my name is Rahul Katoch .I will ask for mumbai police and our indian goverment why the india goverment take any action on paksitan because the pak had drive many teriest traning camp and an other reason is the other country has been spoart the pak country .why the indian goverment attack on pak . I will ask for one thing when the tearest hyjak on AMRICAN plan and they were crash the plane on world trade center then the amriacn goverment attack on afganistan


  30. Sreya Sarkar (unregistered) on July 25th, 2006 @ 11:43 pm

    salil,
    I think I did not communicate my point too well the last time. I don’t think what Israel is doing is the ideal model for our action. What I am more concerned about is that there is no reaction as such on bahalf of the Indian govt. There are many ways of addressing such problems. The first step is gathering information and then chalking out a plan to respond to these incidents. India definitely has some information by now.
    I know it is not easy to monitor what is going on in different parts of mumbai all the time. But atleast some important places should be observed.
    Arrests are being made…but I feel everything is happening very slowly. By the time this case is not even near closure, another blast might take place.



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