By IANS,
New Delhi : A close shave with what would have been a deadly terror strike in the national capital has had little effect on the festive spirits of people as majority of Delhiites Friday continued to throng the markets and malls for shopping, albeit with some caution.
Five kg of RDX was found hidden in an abandoned car at the Ambala Cantonment railway station Wednesday. The explosives were procured by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and given to Babbar Khalsa International to carry out a terror attack in the capital.
On Friday, the city markets were all decked up to celebrate the festival of Karwa Chauth Saturday and Diwali later this month. According to some market associations, the crowds have dropped while others claim to be unaffected.
The posh south Delhi Khan Market has not been affected at all, claims its traders association president Sanjeev Mehra.
“There has been no fall in the number of customers visiting the market. In fact, they are swelling by the day because of the festive season,” Mehra told IANS.
Agreed K.S. Bakshi, president of Lajpat Nagar Market Association: “There has been no shortage of customers. In fact, the numbers have increased from last year.”
On the contrary, president of Sarojini Nagar mini-market association said footfall had dropped.
“The Ambala incident has scared people and though our markets are packed, I can say that compared to last year, the crowds have dropped by around 20 percent,” Ashok Randhawa told IANS.
However, Delhiites are practising caution while venturing out.
Roma Meha, a call-centre executive from central Delhi’s Darya Ganj area said: “Terrorism is not going to end overnight and we can’t stop living our lives. We as citizens can only remain vigilant.”
“I have advised all my friends to remain alert when they visit a market and look out for anything unusual,” said the 32-year-old.
On the other hand, there are some who are eschewing visits to crowded places till the festivals get over.
“I was in Sarojini Nagar when the blast took place in 2005. I was left shocked. It’s better to avoid crowded places during festive season,” said 25-year-old Faiz Umar.
Delhi was rocked by serial blasts at Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Kalkaji Oct 29, 2005, which left 67 dead and over 225 injured.
“I am relieved that we have been spared another terror attack this time but what about the future,” asked 24-year-old Pulkit Sood, who lost his father in the 1996 bomb blast in south Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar central market that left 13 people dead.
“I think we have slowly got used to the fact that we are not safe anywhere, anymore. We are frightened only when a tragedy affects us personally or someone near to us,” added Sood.
However, Delhi Police are taking no chances and have beefed up security around the city, especially at malls and markets.
“Quick Reaction Teams and emergency vehicles have been deployed at various crowded places,” Additional Commissioner of Police V. Renganathan told IANS.
According to police, parking lots are also under scanner and their attendants are being briefed. “We have intensified police patrolling and random checking of vehicles,” he added.