ravishingravi Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 I was born and brought up in Mumbai. I never found the amount of freedom one gets in this city anywhere in India. It is not a place without some serious problems, but once you have stayed here for few years, every other place fades in comparison. But post 26/11, the city has changed. Earlier you could drive late night with friends to the usual stalls, sit at Marine Drive or Band Stand, go to Bars which used to be open till 2-3 a.m. Now, it seems rather difficult. There is " nakabandhi " almost everywhere, the police are always holding you up and asking questions. Yesterday, one of the "pandus" actually asked friends who were talking close to their colony/buiding, to actually leave and go back to their homes. These police men are also under pressure from directives coming from their superiors, so I don't blame them. There is also a case for seeming to be vigilant than being it. We kept moving from place to place and were questioned time and again or asked to leave. Now there is no denying that terror threat is real. And there groups across the border planning their next move. But I also get a feeling that we are playing right into their hands by curbing city's charm and freedom. Yes, the WC threat has also been one of the reasons but I am just not sure if we are heading in the right direction. If the "spirit of mumbai" ever existed, then we have to restore it. Or as Bush would say "Terrorists win !!"
Mariyam Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 I was out till veeeery late yesterday. Didn't notice that much of an increase in bandobast in sheer numbers, but the police did have those bullet proof jackets and guns. There were roadblocks, but most people weren't harassed. We passed through many nakabandis without being stopped once. Maybe you and your friends look shady. :P Joking. Pubs and lounges were doing business as usual. Didn't see any difference there. Even post 12 at Worli Sea face, I saw a lot of people as I would expect on a Saturday night. Just saw the police stopping the regular bikers and all that for their 'cut'. I do know that Mumbai Police have called for the closure of all internet cafes till the end of the WC due to a 'terror threat'. And here too the police must be taking a few $ from from the cyber cafes to turn a blind eye and let them operate. The cyber cafe owners association have decided to settle this matter in court. Maybe I'm being cynical, but at times I think that the police just use these terror threat warnings as opportunities to harass the common man more and extort more money under the pretext of additional security. Some news channels had reported that 17 people, possibly terrorists had reached Mumbai and gone missing. How they went 'missing' and if the Police knew about their existence why did they not arrest them? , and how the news channel knew that is anyone's guess. But I think the current measures may be to nab those people.
DomainK Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 Even I find it a little strange. Yes, the cops have been active now, but I have not felt any difference. Life is as usual in the suburbs, can't say about the town side. And yes, no cop should ever tell you to go home, not in Mumbai. If they do, you flatly say no. It's their job to keep you safe when you are outside and not to tell you to go home. I understand it happens in other cities in India, but those are cities with a high rate of petty crimes late in the night. Mumbai is comparatively very safe and cops have absolutely no business telling anyone to go home.
Holysmoke Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 Maybe it was because the Syedna turned 100 today? There was a huuuuuuuuge number of people at marine drive today.
bhaveshshah Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 There has always been nakabandhi in Mumbai routinely. I was in a taxi going to the airport, around 20 years ago. Taxi was stopped and I was questionned.
Ram Posted March 28, 2011 Posted March 28, 2011 I’ve never really understood the concept of intensifying security in the build up towards something, i.e, Republic day, Babri masjid verdict day, India-Pakistan cricket match etc. What is the logic behind it? Its not as though the terrorists who may have entered the city would be put off momentarily, shake their heads and walk away. If want to cause damage, they can do it any day of the year. This is the problem with us – our security is either so lackadaisical that terrorists can simply hop on a boat in Karachi, sail all the way across the Arabian and sea and get off at Mumbai like they’re on some sort of holiday cruise (or), it is so intrusive or overbearing that ordinary citizens cannot lead their normal, regular lives.
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