Victims’ families claim life has changed, but no closure still
After the attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, life has changed drastically for the victims’ families. They assert that the commemoration feels like reliving November 26, 2008 again. However, they feel that complete justice has not been done irrespective of the hanging of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Ajmal Kasab, who gunned down 166 persons in Mumbai in the gruesome attack.
Vaishali Omble (29), daughter of Assistant Sub-inspector Tukaram Omble, who died while capturing terrorist Ajmal Kasab, says, “Since a decade, whenever November month arrives our entire family is numb in pain. It is like we have to keep reliving the horrific memories. It makes me feel like 26/11 has just happened recently. We always feel that ‘baba’ will step into the house, hang his police cap in the earmarked space and greet us with a smile. After my father expired, I saw the world and society very closely. At a young age, I was handed over responsibility to look after my family, after my father passed away.”
Vaishali has been grateful to the Mumbai Police for supporting her. “The officers have always been helpful. Just a phone call to any police officer, for any personal or financial aid, we have received immediate help. The government's role in helping the victim's families by giving one time compensation is just not enough. In fact, it is the responsibility of the government to look after the entire families need for the rest of their life.” Tukaram is survived by his wife Tara and his two daughters Vaishali and Bharti. Vaishali has been giving tuitions at her residence at Worli police camp to sustain the family. Tukaram was on night duty at Chowpatty ,when a wireless message was received about two gunmen speeding towards Malabar Hill after hijacking a police vehicle near Marine Drive. He was armed with a baton when he took position behind a barricade and grabbed Kasab who had jumped out of the police vehicle, armed with an AK-47. Speaking to the Free Press Journal, K Unnikrishnan, the father of late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan said, “I feel that merely hanging the lone terrorist Ajmal Kasab has not served the purpose since the masterminds are still at large in Pakistan. The former as well as the the present ruling government, both have not done enough to punish the other perpetrators for their gruesome acts. I do not think that justice has been served completely.” Late Major Sandeep, a National Security Guard (NSG) commando had led his team of commandos to the sixth floor of the Taj Palace hotel at Colaba and successfully rescued 14 hostages. The last message of the braveheart to his operation team was, “Do not come up. I will handle them.” Manjunath Singe, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) and Mumbai Police Spokesperson said, “The security arrangements have been beefed up post 26/11. The Quick Response Teams (QRTs) were formed. They have been working efficiently. Mock drills are being carried out frequently. The special force known as Force One, based on the lines of NSG commandos was set up. To check the preparedness and co-ordination, the city police along with the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, intelligence agencies conducts Sagar Kavach, a mock drill, twice a year.” During Sagar Kavach, one team poses as an enemy while the other prevents the infiltration.
“Heritage buildings and vital installations in the city are guarded by the police. The local police keeps a constant check on the security aspects and co-ordinate with the private security personnel stationed there,” added Singe
On Nov 26, 2008, 10 terrorists arrived by sea route from Pakistan and carried out the dastardly attack in Mumbai, killing 166 people including 18 security personnel.
I feel that merely hanging the lone terrorist Ajmal Kasab has not served the purpose since the masterminds are still at large in Pakistan. The former as well as the present ruling government, both have not done enough to punish other perpetrators for their gruesome acts
— L UNNIKRISHNAN, father of late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan