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MUMBAI: As Mumbai emerges from the pall of shock and grief that has hung over the city since last week's extremist attacks, residents are pointing angry fingers of blame at their leaders and media.
Spontaneous vigils near the harbourside Gateway of India are attracting larger and more vociferous crowds, the result of text messages calling for Mumbaikers to "tell the leaders and politicians that we want our safety."
Newspaper letter pages are filled with recriminations against a "weak political system" and asking: "How many more lives do we have to lose before the government acts?"
The dozens of television news channels are also under fire for round-the-clock broadcasts that many saw as peddling rumour dressed as fact in the fierce competition for viewers.
At least 188 people died and more than 300 others were injured when 10 heavily-armed gunmen launched coordinated attacks late last Wednesday across the city, including two luxury hotels and a Jewish cultural centre.
Politicians have been criticised for being slow to respond to the attacks, and failing to act on US intelligence that reportedly had detailed information about the timing and nature of the attacks.
Militant attacks are not new to India but Mumbai residents say their city was unprepared and under-resourced for an assault many believed was coming.
"We have always been a target but this time they really hit us hard," said H. Jehangir, a shopkeeper near the Taj Mahal hotel, one of those targeted. "We have been expecting it and did fear the worst."
Hotel executive Samit Hede said: "The system has failed. We all know that no government can prevent a well-orchestrated terrorist attack but our politicians have been irresponsible."
By the red sandstone Gateway to India opposite the Taj, 34-year-old Zeenat lit a white candle and placed it with others around a wreath of red roses laid on the cobbled plaza.
"I feel sad, and I am angry that our politicians are so inept. We have been attacked many times in the last 10 years.
"They are all inept, interested in making money, not bothering about the Indian people," she said.
In one typical letter, Simi Karna wrote in the Mumbai Mirror newspaper: "Enough is enough! Politicians should take responsibility and be held accountable for the lives of citizens."
Political heads have already rolled.
Interior minister Shivraj Patil resigned Sunday. R.R. Patil, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state of which Mumbai is the capital, quit Monday.
Across the city, residents received calls by text to gather near the Taj on Wednesday evening after filmmaker Suparn Verma used his blog to say a vigil would add pressure to politicians.
Sheetal Parikh, who runs a fashion boutique near the Taj, said she was forwarding the message to everyone she knew.
"Everyone should go, the politicians need to change," she said.
She echoed calls for campaigns of civil disobedience, tax strikes and peace walks.
Breathless media coverage of the unfolding drama drew fire not only from residents but also the paramilitary National Security Guard (NSG), which led the operation against the militants.
"Television channels airing live feed of commandos being air-dropped on to a building captured by terrorists not only compromised our safety but also took away the element of surprise," the Hindustan Times quoted NSG sources as saying.
The newspaper listed the main TV sins as interviewing one gunman as he held Jewish hostages, and storming en masse into the Taj in defiance of NSG orders to stay clear.
- AFP/yb
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