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| Rumours boost panic in Mumbai |
| BS Reporter / Mumbai Nov 29, 2008, 00:29 IST |
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 Mumbai was caught in the throes of panic and rumours flew thick and fast — all adding to the tense atmosphere prevailing in the city on day three of the terror attack on the financial capital.
In the morning, residents, many of whom chose to stay indoors, felt relieved when news channels claimed that the siege was coming to an end. The relief, however, was shortlived as television channels reported fresh incidences of gunshots and grenade blasts at or around the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminal (CST), Reserve Bank of India and GT Hospital around noon.
The rumours even forced the railways to suspend services of sub-urban trains to CST temporarily in the afternoon. There were also rumours that the cellular service operators have been asked to cut off the mobile networks. None of these reports were found to be true.
Though more private vehicles and cabs seen on Mumbai roads than yesterday, traffic was nowhere near normal.
Offices in south and central Mumbai reopened today, but attendance was low. Many offices around Nariman Point, the locus of the action, were closed. In the afternoon, employees who had reported to work, were asked to leave by their employers, soon after the reports of fresh gunfire came in. Malls and multiplexes were closed and so were schools and colleges.
While police presence was visible on the roads, security was beefed up around places of worship where people had assembled for Friday namaaz. The establishment had summoned the entire police force — including those on leave — to report for duty.
Their massive presence, however, appeared more of a confidence-building measure. Except commercial vehicles, few private vehicles were being stopped and checked. Police posted around Nariman Point, however, kept a close eye on those alighting from cabs and cars and asked every other person for identity cards.
Cabs and private vehicles had a field day at a number of traffic stops as traffic constables were not seen manning some of the prominent traffic intersections.
This was partly due to thin traffic and partly because a majority of them were deployed at sensitive traffic points in the city. People, however, seemed more alert, closely observing anyone who was carrying sling bags or whoever they thought was moving about in a suspicious manner.
At the Gateway of India, local residents were seen outside the cordoned-off areas, with their families in tow, to witness the events as they unfolded at the Taj Mahal hotel.
At the other scene of action — the Trident-Oberoi hotel complex — media people kept an eye on the rooms where anyone could be seen moving inside, even though it was not clear if it were the terrorists or guests who were peering out of the windows. Cameras zoomed in the moment some movement was noticed.
Shops and establishments in Colaba, however, remained closed as commandos continued to battle terrorists at Nariman House. On Marine Drive, or the Queen’s Necklace as it is often called, traffic was today allowed beyond the Girgaum Chowpaty. But vehicles were stopped a few blocks away from Nariman Point.
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