26/11: Aware, Educate and tokenism not needed for safe India

Image sourced from; Google 

It's human nature to pay lip service and sing the praises of our 'unsung heroes' during hard time or for that matter when terror strikes. Such mere tokenism is uncalled for. It suits the political establishment, no matter who holds the highest office. It's been 8 years since 26/11 happened in Mumbai, the worst terror attack that wouldn't make the city same again.

There are words such as the resilience of Mumbai or the Spirit of Mumbai used limitlessly as if it's some catchy slogan or to make rhetoric the biggest literary awards for politicians. Like someone once said, Mumbai or any other place is resilient because of the simple fact that people need to get off in the morning to face the day. Do we have an alternate choice?

Nothing can bring back the lives of our martyr, be it the army men, NSG, constable or commoners who lost their lives when the city was hijacked by the face of terror. Unsung heroes are not just the army but common men and women who face life every single day. Sometimes forgetting the fear that they will not back home safely. It's the resilience in Mumbai or any other city. Sometimes back, a young school girl played a prank by pretending to see armed terrorists which sent the city and the forces in a tizzy. It didn't happen for the first time where resources were put to task. It happened after the train blast when teenagers played such pranks that almost evacuated Bandra station. It can be a dangerous game played in the name of thrill and youngsters should be educated on the need to be responsible citizens. Perhaps. they are not educated enough on the definition of a terrorist and its modus operandi. 

It starts in schools, at home and the workplace where all stakeholders, Government, workforce, NGOs and ordinary citizens should pool their efforts together. We need to educate people how to respond and be alert be it an unattended bag in the train, railway station or public places. The people are the best judge and agents in the fight against terror. Let's stop alienating minorities or people who stay in areas prone to attacks where the 'informers' rather than going astray can work with the police in return for an income beyond tax or public glare. Creative competition or drawings must be popularized in schools to come with the best posters on how to be alert as citizens or that prank come at a huge cost. 

It's high time the Government honor our armed, police forces and NSG commandos. Every life lost be it in the course of duty is a human tragedy that afflicts a family and an entire nation. No Sir, rhetoric is not needed. Mock breach is regularly conducted along the coastlines in the same fashion the likes of Kasab entered Mumbai and severe loopholes were found. It's a case for worry. There is a need for police patrolling and better coordination through laser illuminators, smart fencing system, weapon sights and containerized weapon systems. Are we ready to contain threat? It's the moot question!

The Mumbai Police still lack coastal police stations, sophisticated weapons and bullet proof jackets. Administrative apathy is holding the force back and there is a huge need to beef up security through better infrastructure and coordination between forces to thwart terror attempts.

It was a dark day in a city deemed and rightly so, to be liberal and always on its toes that was brought to a standstill. There was intelligence failure on all counts and absence of resources to capture communications spearheaded by LET in connivance with ISI. Like they say, justice delayed is justice denied. Eight years later, justice and compensation are eluding the victims running around in the quest for closure.

Educate, be aware as responsible citizens and beef up security to ensure that India and its people are protected from heinous terror attacks. We need to send a loud and clear signal. Our people are the biggest assets and they can be agents to strengthen law and order. We are hitting an empty wall and despite evidence given to Pakistani authorities, it doesn't suit them to prosecute Lakhvi, Hafeez Saeed and their ilk involved in terror attacks. High time for India to move international powers to bring Pakistan to task and be declared a terrorist state.

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Monsoon Affair (15)

Monsoon Affair (15):

"Huma is in deep shit. We must save her from murdering Shankar. Revenge is raging high in her mind and she is obsessed with baying with the blood of the man who destroyed her family," Niharika almost shouted.
Varun couldn't believe his eyes after reading the letter, repeating the fuck word thrice. Niharika pleaded with him, "Now, get out of this mode, will you? Say something, do something."
"I am calling the police," he flipped the phone out of his pocket.
Niharika snatched the phone from his hand, "Man! Are you crazy? She will get arrested. You will destroy her life. Let's save Shankar's life first. What are you thinking? But, how......"
"How?", Varun repeated.
He lit a cigarette and took a drag, inhaled deeply. "We need to track her," he said.
"Wait," Niharika jumped on her feet. She took Varun phone and called someone, "Yeah! Where are you? Just come to the flat, I told you."
Minutes later, there is a knock on the door and a tall and well-built fellow opened the door. walked towards Niharika and hugged her tightly. She said, "Meet Varun, this is Aniket. He is from the army.
Aniket took a tour of the flat and fixed some wires to the landline and switched on the grey laptop. He asked in a grave tone, "Niharika, what's her mobile number." He entered a code and said, "She is travelling in the local and is past Panvel. Let's rush in my jeep, guys."
The jeep zoomed in the traffic and the red bulb is activated, siren blowing to signal vehicles to make way for the army guys. They reached Panvel in less than 30 minutes. Niharika asked, "Where are we going?"
"Obviously, we are following your friend, Huma. She has just got down from the train at Borivali and is boarding a cab, swerving towards the outskirt. I think they are veering to a nearby and obscure village."
Aniket called from the telecom in the jeep. "Hello! New Operation! Trail blazer!! 1,2,3, activate GPS."
Voices in unison dutifully replies in Haryanvi accent, "New Operation! Trail blazer. GPS activated."
"Good! Trail blazer! Cordon the area. Follow Chameli and do a chamak challo in Navi Mumbai."
"Chamak Challo, Chameli dressed in jeans, leather jacket and boots, all black. She is on a mission. Over and Out, 1,2,3."
Aniket ordered, "Good job, guys. No firing. Behave like villagers and loafers. 1,2,3. Over and Out."
The jeep slowed down in a dusty area, surrounded by a dirty lake where there is no sign of life and wearing a completely deserted, faraway from the slightest activity. Aniket ordered, "Boys! Take position."
He urged Niharika and Varun to follow him, creeping on the muddy terrain. They could see the soldiers, dressed as ordinary citizens in torn jeans approaching the wooden door of the small, dingy room in decrepit state. The soldiers barged inside with guns and rifles, Aniket ran towards the room in shamble, followed by Niharika and Varun. The boys in arms, carried a lamp in their hand that was cupped to the face of Huma, suddenly lightened in the dark. She was taken aback and fired a shot which was averted by the saviors of Shankar. Huma was flabbergasted to see Varun, Niharika and the unknown men.
She threatened with a gun, "Don't dare approach me. I will kill him today. He has to die for destroying my life, No, you cannot deny me the pleasure of seeing him dying," she yelled.
Huma's voice cracked. The area where Shankar was tied on a wooden chair and petrol was thrown around, forming a circle. It took them a while to realize that Huma planned to burn Shankar alive and was deprived of her desire to kill him in a matter of seconds. The perfect timing.
Aniket tried to distract her, "Huma, don't take law in your hands. The court will deal with his crime."
"No," she shouted. "I waited for this time to savor my vengeance."
Varun inched slowly towards her, "Huma! My love. You are the only one that matters to me. It's a beautiful world. Don't soil your hand."
"Varun," Huma says. "I am warning you. Don't move."
She incidentally slipped on her sneakers and the gun was pushed away from her hand by the army man and incidentally landed straight on Shankar. Aniket and his guys mightily pushed all of them past the door and they flew in the air to land on the muddy terrain.
A loud explosion was heard and bang, it felt like gun shots in a war torn area. Fire ravaged the dingy room which took no time to turn into ashes. Shankar met his end and his body was charred to death. It suddenly started raining furiously and they walked with utmost difficulty towards the jeep. The team went into separate directions. Huma, Niharika and Varun would never see those men but, perhaps, will hear of them defending the country from invasion across the border.