The Hindu Business Line : Relief for some, trauma for others

Mumbai, Nov. 28 Emotions ran high and heart-rending scenes were witnessed, as relatives and friends anxiously waited near the Air India building to finally receive their loved ones who were held hostage in the Trident-Oberoi Hotels minutes earlier.

Shot, but safe

Three friends of Mr Deepak Azad, a South Mumbai-based businessman, were trapped inside the Hotel , when they were having dinner on Wednesday night. “One of them spoke to his wife over phone saying he was all right although he sustained some injuries. But that conversation was for two minutes. He said that they hid in the kitchen. We did not hear anything from him later,” said Mr Azad.

The relatives of three youths who were dining at Oberoi and were held hostage by terrorists had some tense moments till they finally saw them coming out. “Apurv called once and said that he got two bullet shots on his wrist but he was safe,” said a relative.

Three Yemeni citizens who were staying in Trident were relieved to be spared of the terror incident, as they were outside at the time of attack. “But our luggage, passports and other documents are inside,” said Mr Ahmed Ali, who came with his family, on a business as well as tourist visit to India. They were supposed to leave for Ahmedabad on Friday, but cancelled the trip.

Standing and waiting…

Warding off people from the entrance of a bank situated near the Air India building, just behind the Oberoi should have been the last thing on the mind of the middle-aged man who waited there.

His worry was how his family would manage in the huge army of media, and other bystanders. They were waiting for a dear one stranded in the Oberoi.

Another relative was barely able to open his mouth to speak, afraid of breaking down in front of his brothers children, waiting for their father.

The trauma, fear and apprehension very apparent, they stood silent and waited, unable to speak.

Another young man sitting on the parapet of the bank building pacified his wife about the wellbeing of her sister, who was one of the many stuck in Oberoi hotel.

The family members of a 22-year old receptionist at the hotel spa at Oberoi, who was held hostage, went through immeasurable trauma as they could not contact her. While during the long wait most of the relatives were able to get in touch with their loved ones over the phones, the girl’s family was denied that comfort as she did not have a cell phone on her. Her cell-phone lying in her locker as her job required her to not carry a cell phone once on duty.

My Daughter:

But not all were so lucky. Life is short and uncertain, was the painful reality that some others waiting at the venue had to face. A father stormed out of the Air India building holding his daughter’s photograph (who was killed in the hospital) close to his head and crying loud: she is my daughter.

Another group of friends burst into tears hearing the news of their four friends, who also died in the dastardly attack at the hotel. “They have kids…” is what a female friend said before tears choked her out.

More Stories on : Terrorism | Maharashtra

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