Losing lives in Mumbai

A few days ago, around 104 persons lost their lives when terrorists, dressed in black shirts and jeans, attacked targets in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra state. Hundreds more were wounded as gunmen fired indiscriminately and almost simultaneously, at high-end hotels like the Taj Mahal Hotel and Oberio Hotel. Other places that was attacked included a popular restaurant, the 19th century Chhatrapati Shivaji railroad train station, and a Jewish center.

Photo shows parts of Taj Mahal Hotel in smoke during the terrorist attack in Mumbai last November 29, 2008. Photo credit: Arko Datta of Reuters

Indian commandos and other military forces made their presence felt and moved in the rescue hostages. Explosions and gunshots were exchanged in many areas, while hostages escaped from the hotels. The terrorists were looking for American and British nationals and tourists.


Photo shows Rapid Action Force (RAF) riot policemen near the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai taken a few days ago. Photo credit: Jayanta Shaw of Reuters

Curfew was declared around the Taj Mahal Hotel. Qucikly, I recalled the 12 midnight to 4:00am curfew in the Philippines back in 1972 when the late President Marcos placed the country under martial law. Or more recently, when President Arroyo had a one night curfew in Metro Manila.

According to a news story by Anita Chang from Associated Press, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had blamed "external forces." He says, "The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners."

While the news was unfolding over CNN and major news networks, online media was quick to inform and spread the latest updates, primarily through twitters and blogs.

These words pay tribute to the men and women in Mumbai who have lost their lives and hundred more who were hurt because of these attacks. I will not try to analyze the motives behind these incidents and will leave that to the experts. But I know and believe, violence has no role in our daily lives.