On the streets: 'Who will come here when there is so much fear?'

Published on Saturday 29 November 2008 18:52

THIS seaside city of 18 million, known for its resilience, has bounced back from tragedy before, but after the most brazen terror attack in India's history, the people of Mumbai are worried.

In crowded trains, corner shops, office buildings and parks, residents ask each other the same questions: "Is anyone safe?" and "Could it happen again?"

"There is a limit to what a city can take," said Ayesha Dar, a 33-year-old housewife. "This is a very, very different kind of fear. It will be some time before things get back to normal."

Police shut down most of the city's "soft targets", including schools and cinemas, after the siege began late on Wednesday night.

"I can't say when we will open again," said Karan Amin, who works at downtown Mumbai's Regal Cinema. "Anyway, who will come here when there is so much fear?"

Restaurant owners were also concerned about the aftermath. "People are not going to come to restaurants or bars when they are afraid," said Pranav Desai, owner of two upmarket bars. "These are well-trained militants, not boys told to plant bombs and get out. This time around it's not so simple."

This is a city that is all too familiar with massive tragedy. In 2006, seven blasts ripped into train carriages during evening rush hour, killing 187 people.

In 2003, taxis packed with explosives blew up outside the iconic Gateway of India monument, killing 52 people. Life returned to normal within hours. In 1993 bombings across the city killed 257 people. The Bombay Stock Exchange, which was hit by a car bomb, never shut.

This time, however, Mumbai's residents are not sure it will be so easy.

"People are worried, but the key difference is anger," said Rajesh Jain, chief executive officer at brokerage firm Pranav Securities. "People are worked up about the ineffectiveness of the administration. Does the government have the will, the ability to tackle the dangers we face?"