Can you ever leave terror behind?

Even as Mumbai wakes up from its nightmare, Delhiites relive their own. Be it Jama Masjid attack, Sept 2008 or Oct 2005, the wounds are still raw

Can you ever leave terror behind?

Even as Mumbai wakes up from its nightmare, Delhiites relive their own. Be it Jama Masjid attack, Sept 2008 or Oct 2005, the wounds are still raw

Saleem Ahmed, survivor hero of the Jama Masjid firing incident, who shooed-away terrorists by pelting them with stones while they were firing at some Taiwanese tourists on September 19, 2010, is starting afresh. He is soon to open a paan shop in Ghazipur Murga Mandi area with the reward money he received from various organisations.

Saleem Ahmed

"I had been pulling rickshaw for years. I hardly used to earn Rs 150 a day, of which Rs 50 went to the rickshaw owner. It was difficult to support my family. Now, I am opening a paan shop. I hope to give my family a good life," said Saleem.

But, the incident has taken its toll. Speaking to MiD DAY, said he was troubled for days, and feels lucky to be alive. What Mumbai experienced on Wednesday, happened in the Capital about three years ago. And while this resilient city has moved on, some wounds are still raw. On September 13, 2008, the city was rocked with a series of bomb blasts in crowded markets. Blasts were reported in the Central Park of Connaught Place near the famous Palika Bazaar Market, and Barakhamba Road. At least 30 people were killed and over 100 injured.

"The bomb in a plastic dustbin blew up and the remains flew across the street into our building. Since it was a Saturday, fewer people were at the bus stop and a man standing there died on the spot." said BS Rawat, a security guard in the building opposite the bus stop. When asked about the security arrangements since then he said: "Security in the building has increased. Police are always on patrol and no cars are allowed to stand on the street for even a few minutes. A month back when we saw a man with a bag outside the Metro station standing for many hours, we got suspicious and informed police."

Three years earlier, on October 29, 2005, three blasts had rocked Delhi just ahead of Diwali, killing nearly 65 people and injuring more than 200. Shopkeepers at Sarojini Nagar market, an area most severely hit, still relive the terror. The explosion had killed 45-50 people in this area alone.

Bhagirathi Chaurasia, a paanwala, was just 20 m away from the blast site. The tree under which he was sitting proved to be a life-saver. He said, "It was a horrific incident. I am lucky to be alive. There were so many bodies all around. Though the security has improved, but like Zaveri Bazar, which was targeted earlier, terrorists can target this market again."