'What about Mumbai?'

On May 2, 2011, the world witnessed the fall of one of the most feared and dreaded people in the worldu00a0-- Osama bin Laden, who was killed in a firefight by American forces. Has this raised hopes among Mumbaikars for swift action withu00a0regard to the 26/11 terrorist attacks? MiD DAY spoke to several people across the city:

Shobhna Godbole
IT professional
Location: Trident Hotel



"We had been to Trident recently, and we were wondering that post 26/11 security has been beefed up to a great degree. Qasab, the man who claimed so many lives, is still alive after two-and-a-half years. Bilateral talks between the two countries have not yielded any results. I think it is best that we emulate USA and launch an attack on Pakistan. Otherwise, terrorism will never be controlled. Some drastic steps have to be taken so that we as citizens have a safe and secure life."

Bobby darve
Student and part-time worker
Location: Trident Hotel
"Firstly, Qasab who was arrested in Mumbai after taking so many innocent lives, should be hanged. I am of the opinion that India should plan a secret operation and kill Hafeez and Lakvi. Pakistan will never accept that it houses terrorists. The discovery of Osama in Pakistan, have proved all its tall claims wrong. There is no doubt in my mind that other terrorists will also be found in Pakistan. I hope that the Indian diplomats will take a leaf out of Obama's book."

Shridhar Bhirwadkar
Service
Location: Nariman House
"So many people died; there was so much blood everywhere. Afzal Guru, whose death sentence was passed by the court in 2004, is still alive. I don't think Qasab will be hanged anytime soon. It will take years to launch an attack on Pakistan. America took ten years to find Osama bin Laden. Here, in spite of having these people in our custody, we are hesitating to eliminate them. All those who suffered due to the terrorist attacks on 26/11 deserve justice."

Trevor Rodrigues
Retired
LOCATION: Leopold Cafe
"Those who live by the sword, die by the sword. Osama's death has illustrated the truth of this statement. So where is the need to kill innocent people in Pakistan? We want peace in the world, and the only way to bring this about is by making friends, not enemies. The judiciary will decide on what punishment to mete out to Qasab, so I will leave it to them. We shouldn't judge anybody. I have full faith in our government and I am hopeful that the wrong-doers will be punished."

Enid Rodrigues
Retired
Location: Leopold Cafe
"I don't think we can achieve anything by attacking Pakistan. The government will take necessary action. The death of Osama bin Laden has given hope to people, since justice has prevailed after even after nine long years."

Raghunath Kamble
Service
Location: Nariman House
"I was living next to Nariman House when the attacks took place. The entire area was cordoned off, and we had to spend so many days outside our houses. All the people who are caught should be punished. These terrorists don't have any religion, but destruction. Their only focus is to complete their goal and then die themselves. Our government should act fast. Otherwise, the faith that people have in our judiciary will diminish."

Govardhan Fatnani
Retired
Location: Leopold Cafe
"I am happy that Osama bin Laden is dead. I was born in Karachi, Pakistan. After the partition I came to India. What Qasab and his friends did was egregious. But I do not see any point in taking innocent lives. If we do that, we wouldn't be any different from the perpetrators of violence. Have faith in the judiciary. Hang the accused. Let justice prevail."

Yash Thakkar
Student
Location: Taj Hotel
"The Indian Government has done nothing, and will do nothing. They have the power to do a lot, but are not acting. Qasab has been here for two long years, living a luxurious life. Crores of the taxpayers' money has been spent on security for him. To expect the Indian Government to act in any other way apart from the one they have adopted right now would be foolish."

Aarti Dhuri
Home-maker
Location: Taj Hotel
"The 26/11 attacks were the worst thing our city has witnessed. Qasab has been arrested, not punished. Osama's death has raised the hopes of the victims' families. The happiness of those gathered at Ground Zero was unmistakable. Naturally, people around the world are happy. The government knows best which strategy to adopt. We should leave it up to them. As citizens, we will of course want an attack on Pakistan, just like the one waged by the USA."

Ana Joseph
Unemployed
Location: CST station
"The Indian government so far has initiated talks with Pakistan, which is a positive step. We have enough evidence to hang Kasab. Pakistan's constant denial is not going to change what is true. What USA did was totally uncalled for. Yes, they killed Laden but in that process a lot of innocent people also lost their lives. Violence is not the solution to our problems. I have faith in our government."

Tamil Selvam
Agent at the parcel counter
Location: CST station
"Large chunks of India's money have been wasted on Pakistan. If Pakistan buys a MiG-20, India has to buy a MiG-30. The artillery necessary to protect our people from Pakistan is draining our monetary reserves. Money is wasted on bullets, and not on development. If launching an attack is the way to get justice, then we should go for it."

Anand Mishra
Newspaper stall owner
Location: CST station
Q"My colleague on 26/11 when Kasab opened gunfire. He didn't survive the injuries sustained. Whatever America is 100 per cent warranted. I want our government to follow suit. Qasab, who has still been kept alive, should be sent where the other nine terrorists have gone."

-As told to Prachi Tyagi