World | India
Jittery commuters flee at sound of falling barricade
The resilience and spirit of the people of Mumbai will undergo a litmus test in the coming days as the fear factor is playing on the psyche of terror-shaken residents.
- Agencies
- Published: 23:24 November 28, 2008
- People at Chathrapathi Shivaji Terminus panicked at the thought of gunfire on Friday.
- Image Credit: Anjana Sankar/Gulf News
Mumbai: The resilience and spirit of the people of Mumbai will undergo a litmus test in the coming days as the fear factor is playing on the psyche of terror-shaken residents.
A city that was limping back to normalcy was again gripped by fear for almost an hour Friday afternoon when Chathrapathi Shivaji Terminus (CST) was thought to have come under fresh attack from terrorists.
People who were going about their daily business at the CST until around 12.50pm panicked when rumours spread that terrorists have entered the station. A bang heard outside the station only worsened the situation and as this reporter witnessed, people started running amok looking for exits while many sought refuge in office rooms and reservation counters. Others were seen taking refuge behind the huge pillars inside the station.
Quick reaction
Police and armed forces were quick to react and spread out within the station taking positions as though for a full-on ground attack.
It was later confirmed by K.P Raghuvanshi, Anti Terrorist Squad chief, that an iron barricade outside the station had fallen off, making people think it was possible gunfire.
"There is nothing happening. The fire shots were just a rumour," said Raghuvanshi adding that people and media should not try to escalate tension. According to him, police tried to evacuate the people because they got panicked and there was commotion.
He also denied rumours that trains were cancelled for fear of another round of attacks in the metro.
Raghuvanshi said he rushed to the spot after they received telephone calls from the public that gunfire could be heard from CST.
A.K. Sharma, commissioner, Railway Security, said the chaos occurred after some members of the public claimed that they saw two men running into the station, said Sharma.
"Then everybody was running for cover. The police were put on immediate alert in case of any untoward incident," he added.
Even after the scene was cleared at the CST station, the worried public were seen seeking information about the suspected gun fire at the station.
Taxis were off the roads and shops were also closed for the day.
Fearing the worst
Commuters said they still fear for the worst after the blatant attacks on the city by armed militants who stormed into various areas and held people hostages.
"When I saw people running for cover at the CST, first thing I did was called my wife and asked her to pray for my life. In these times, there is nothing more one can do about safety," said Naresh Gupta, 52, who lives in Ville Parle.
Radhi Selvan, a housewife, said she had stepped out of her house hoping that things are back to normal.
"There is fear in every one's mind because these attacks prove how vulnerable Mumbai is for terrorist attacks," she added.
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Operation at Mumbai Jewish centre ends, hostages dead
Operation at Mumbai Jewish centre ends, hostages dead
-
India blames Pakistan for Mumbai attacks
India blames Pakistan for Mumbai attacks
-
ISI chief to visit India to help terror probe
ISI chief to visit India to help terror probe
-
Survivor: I heard shots echoing in the lobby
Survivor: I heard shots echoing in the lobby
-
Hotel staff emerging as heroes amid Mumbai chaos
Hotel staff emerging as heroes amid Mumbai chaos
-
Former Dubai resident lends sweet helping hand
Former Dubai resident lends sweet helping hand
-
Americans told to defer Mumbai travel
US advises citizens to defer travel to Mumbai after attacks
-
Foreigners killed by Mumbai gunmen
Briton, Australian, Japanese killed in Mumbai massacre
-
Troops retake Jewish centre in Mumbai
Troops retake Jewish centre, hotel in Mumbai
-
Three top Mumbai cops die in attacks
Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar, Ashok Kamte among cops killed
News Editor's choice
-
Daughters: Book on Sadat 'one-sided'
Pictorial collection excludes children from first wife
-
Over 6,000 Haj pilgrims to get vaccines
H1N1 and meningitis jabs compulsory for those going to Makkah in Saudi Arabia
-
Abu Dhabi residential city on track
Abu Dhabi Municipality says Dh651m infrastructure project to be completed
