Mumbai held memorials and police staged a show of strength yesterday as India’s financial hub marked the first anniversary of militant raids that killed 166 people.
While emotional onlookers waved Indian flags and banners with slogans such as “End The Violence,” police commandoes with new weapons and armored cars tracked the route the 10 gunmen took for an attack that stunned the country.
Other residents lit candles outside a Jewish center, one of several sites from luxury hotels to the city’s biggest railway station, that were targeted by Pakistan-based militants in a rampage lasting three days.
At the Trident Hotel, one of the targets, chefs and laundry boys gathered to remember the attacks. Outside, a black granite column read: “In memory of our guests and our staff.”
A wreath of white lilies lay in front next to a glass case with burning candles.
“We just wanted to show our support and show that we care,” said Subir Kumar Singh, who was leaving a written message on a banner outside the Leopold cafe, a popular tourist spot that still has bullet marks from the attacks.
The raids highlighted the lack of preparedness of India to militant attacks and showed how regional tension in South Asia could undermine stability in Asia’s economic powerhouse as it emerges on the global stage.
The police march was aimed at trying to show they were now better prepared. Many police, some armed with only sticks or old rifles, were reported to have fled the attackers who used grenades and automatic rifles.
Nine militants were killed by police in the attacks. The lone survivor, Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, is on trial and could face the gallows if found guilty.
“The first thing I did today was go to the temple and pray because my life was saved,” said Mukesh Agrawal, who was wounded at the city’s main train station.
“[I] pray that something like this will not happen in my city. I am going back to the station tonight to see the place. It’s been a year, but I remember everything,” he said.
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