Mumbaikars form human chain to protest against terrorism

Mumbai, Dec 12 (IANS) Thousands of Mumbaikars, including housewives and students, formed a human chain Friday to protest against terrorism. Carrying banners and placards with the motto of promoting peace, they shouted slogans condemning the terror attacks on India's financial capital.

While one end of the chain was at Nariman House at Colaba, the other end was at the Oberoi Trident hotel. The protestors met midway on Swami Vivekananda Road in Bandra West. Another similar chain was formed in the eastern and western suburbs.

Nariman House and Oberoi Trident hotel were two of the several prominent places in south Mumbai where terrorists struck on the night of Nov 26, killing at least 170 people and injuring about 300.

Jatin Desai, one of the organisers of the human chain, told IANS that the effort evoked 'tremendous, spontaneous response from the Mumbaikars' who stepped out of their homes, offices and educational institutions to take part in the human chain.

'Many individuals carried banners and placards with slogans for peace on them, many raised slogans against terrorism. They took a firm stand against terror,' Desai said.

Over a 100 voluntary organisations and NGOs took part in the effort co-ordinated by the group Mumbai for Peace. People from all walks of life, ages, faiths and linguistic groups around the city participated enthusiastically in the event.

Prominent citizens like Tushar Gandhi (great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi), poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar, Bollywood actor Rahul Bose, freedom fighter and former city mayor Shanti Patel and other celebrities also joined the human chain at various locations, Desai said.

Mumbai for Peace said that through this action, the citizens would demand that the government take responsibility and map out long term strategies to deal with such terror attacks. This should be followed by a swift, transparent and credible trial and punishment for all those involved in terrorist activities.

It has also demanded a comprehensive Communal Violence Bill in place of the one pending in parliament, immediate implementation of police reforms, providing better equipment and training to security personnel.