On Their Toes

The 26/11 attacks were a wake-up call for the Mumbai and Maharashtra Police, triggering an upgrade of the security and intelligence apparatus statewide.

- Dnyanesh Jathar

Mumbai, even India, is no longer safe, according to Sevantilal Parekh, 87. He lost his son, Sunil, and daughter-in-law, Reshma, in the terrorist attacks at the Oberoi hotel on November 26, 2008. The loss drove him to send his granddaughters, Anindita and Arundhati, to the United States. “They have no place in this country, where anyone can just ram into a hotel and go on a rampage, killing people,” said Parekh, who runs a shipping and logistics business. “Though we are affluent and can afford most luxuries, we would rather have our children work in another country, than be here and feel unsafe.”

Parekh says Mumbai is not equipped enough to handle another terrorist attack. His reaction is shared by many citizens, who live in constant anxiety.

Even a small, unattended cardboard box, left in a suburban train, triggers phone calls to the police helpline. At railway stations, one routinely hears announcements instructing passengers not to touch any unattended baggage. Today, fear lurks in the mind of the Mumbaikar—the lingering impact of the 26/11 attacks.

But, is our police force truly equipped to handle a terrorist attack, be it in terms of mindset, arms and ammunition or coordinated response? An additional director general of police in Maharashtra told THE WEEK that the 26/11 attacks shook the police establishment in Mumbai and the state to the core. Senior IPS officers like Hemant Karkare and Ashok Kamte were killed in the attacks, and the world saw the police force trying to fight AK-47 wielding terrorists with mere lathis. “Huge changes have taken place since then,” said the officer. “There is far greater awareness about terrorism because of constant training and capacity building. Anti-terrorism cells, with dedicated manpower, have been established in every police station.”