Democratic front's legacy? Seven blasts and counting

Yesterday's serial blasts, the seventh since the Congress-NCP combine assumed power in the state, are set to earn it flak from the citizenry as well as the Opposition

Yesterday's serial blasts, the seventh since the Congress-NCP combine assumed power in the state, are set to earn it flak from the citizenry as well as the Opposition

YESTERDAY'S serial blasts have shaken not only the common citizenry but also the foundations of the Democratic Front government, which has now seen seven blasts in Mumbai (see box) since it took over the reins of the state in 1999.

And, this count is excluding the daring 26/11 attack and the blasts in Mazgaon and Vile Parle that accompanied it.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Leader of the Opposition Eknath Khadse along with his partyman Raj Purohit andu00a0Home Minister RR Patil made a quick visit at the blast sites. PICS/SANTOSH NAGWEKAR AND SATYAJIT DESAI

Yesterday's blasts are all set to make life difficult for the government as it has already begun facing public ire over repeated security lapses and can be certain to face a ferocious Opposition when the Monsoon Session of the state legislature begins on July 25, said Mantralaya officials.u00a0

Leaders from the Congress and the NCP admitted, off the record, that the chinks in the city's armour had been exposed repeatedly and that there was 'feeble' hope of preventing such a disaster in the future as well.
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This, despite huge financial provisions being made for the commissioning of elite forces, the working of the Intelligence Bureau and the strengthening of the state as well as Mumbai police.

The general consensus in both parties is that Congress and NCP leaders in general, and Home Minister R R Patil in particular, will have a lot of explaining to do about their failure to ensure the safety and security of the people.

Damage control
Both Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had left Mantralaya by the time the news of the blasts came in. On being informed about the developments, however, they headed straight back to the seat of power to confabulate with senior officials.

The CM asked secretary-level officials to rush to hospitals to supervise the medical assistance. Soon, Public Health Minister Suresh Shetty, too, left for JJ Hospital to do a review of all the JJ group hospitals, which also include GT and St George.

State Home Minister R R Patil had reached Nagpur around 8.30 pm as part of his planned visit to Gadchiroli. The news of the blasts made him decide to cancel the visit and return to Mumbai.

Union Home Secretary R K Singh was, meanwhile, in touch with State DGP Ajit Parasnis to take an update of the situation and rescue operations to pass it on to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram.

Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh asked his colleagues from the city unit to rush to hospitals and offer necessary help with arrangement of blood for victims.

CM says
Addressing media persons at Mantralaya not too long after the blasts, CM Prithviraj Chavan said at least 17 people were killed and 81 injured.
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"These are terror attacks. It is an attempt to disrupt peace," he said.
City police Chief Arup Patnaik said that the blasts at Opera House and Zaveri Bazaar were of higher intensity than the one at Dadar.

"It is an act of terror. All three blasts occurred between 6.50 and 7 pm and the Zaveri Bazaar blast was a result of an IED kept in an abandoned umbrella. NSG, BDDS, ATS and other agencies are on the spot and relief work is on. The entire city has been cordoned off," said Patnaik

Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse visited the blast sites along with BJP legislators Vinod Tawde and Devendra Phadanvis. Khadse used the opportunity to lash out at the government, which he called 'insensitive and inefficient'.

Repeating mistakes

December 2, 2002: Two persons were killed and 31 injured when a powerful bomb exploded in a BEST bus outside the Ghatkopar railway station.

December 6, 2002:u00a0 25 people were injured when a bomb exploded in a food plaza at Bombay Central railway station. The bomb was planted in an air-conditioning duct.

January 27, 2003: 30 people were injured when a crude bomb planted in a bicycle exploded at a shopping complex outside Vile Parle railway station.

March 13, 2003:u00a0Eleven people were killed and 65 injured when a powerful bomb exploded in a ladies special train' when it was entering Mulund railway station during peak hours.

August 25, 2003: Twin blasts at the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar killed 46 people and injured over 160. RDX was planted in taxis parked at both these places.

July 11, 2006: Seven blasts took place in local trains in seven locations across Mumbai, leaving 181 dead.

Gruesome numbers
Around 9.30 pm, 12 of the injured were admitted to JJ Hospital while one was brought dead. 26 of the injured were admitted to GT hospital, where two were brought dead. At St George, three injured people were admitted and one was brought dead.

Reactions

The news of terrorists striking in the commercial capital of India in the evening rush hour is shocking and shows the desperate levels (to which) the terrorists have stooped. The people of Mumbai have borne the maximum brunt of terrorism and yet they have shown remarkable resilience in the face of constant provocation. No religion on Earth justifies violence against innocent people and I condemn the blasts in the strongest possible words. I convey my sympathies to the families of the victims of the blasts and wish speedy recovery to the injured.
K Sankaranarayanan, Governor

People should not rely on the government and protect themselves from such terror attacks. Mumbai has been attacked once more. The only weapon we seem to have is issuing high alerts and people are paying the price of having an inefficient government. 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab is enjoying (himself) in Arthur Road jail here. The death sentence of Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru, too, is yet to be carried out.u00a0
Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief
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We condemn the Mumbai blasts and request the citizens of Mumbai to maintain peace and help the agencies maintain law and order. Citizens are advised not to touch anything unidentified and report suspicious and unclaimed goods to the police. They are also requested not to believe in any type of rumours and to abstain from forwarding such messages. The police are doing their best to keep everyone safe.
Nationalist Congress Party
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The Mumbai BJP strongly condemns the bomb blasts, which prove that nobody is safe in the city. Law and order has completely collapsed. The home minister and Mumbai police
commissioner should take responsibility and resign immediately.u00a0
Avdhut Wagh,BJP spokesman

There is chaos everywhere. This must be a terrorist act as it has happened in three places at once. I want the government to take immediate steps and find out who is behind the blasts
Manohar Joshi, Shiv Sena leader

We condemn the attacks aimed at creating panic and hatred among the people. Police officers should not jump to any conclusion. Any wrong reference might result in eroding the people's confidence.u00a0
Abu Azmi, Samajwadi Party leader

No words are strong enough to condemn the attacks. This menace called terrorism.... something has to be done. Something drastic. This is not acceptable
Javed Akhtar, Lyricist