8 killed, more than 50 injured in Mumbai Blasts

At least 8 persons were killed and more than 50 people were injured, when three blasts rocked Mumbai within minutes of each other on Wednesday (July 13).

There is no official confirmation on the exact number of casualties. Meanwhile, the provincial government confirms terror strike.

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, was rocked by three blasts that took place in south Mumbai's Zaveri Bazar, Dadar in Central Mumbai, and Opera House in Charni Road.

More than 50 injured in Mumbai Blasts, says Maharashtra CM

Mumbai: Some 50 to 55 persons were injured in three bomb blasts that rocked Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan said on Wednesday (July 13).

"As per preliminary reports, about 55 to 56 persons have been injured in the three blasts and they have been rushed to St George, Nair and KEM hospitals," he told PTI, a news agency.

He added that blasts were reported in Panchratna building in Diamond Market area at Opera House, Bank of India branch in Zaveri Bazaar near Mumbadevi temple and Kabutar Khana near Hanuman temple in Dadar west.

However, he refused to give any official confirmation on the exact number of casualties.

Meanwhile, state’s main opposition right wing Shiv Sena Party has urged the government to take strict action on those behind the blasts.

"There is chaos everywhere. This must be a terrorist act as it happened in three places," senior Sena leader Manohar Joshi said after reaching Dadar, one of the three sites of the blasts.

"I want that the government take immediate steps and find out who are people behind the blasts," Joshi said.

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, was rocked by three blasts that took place in south Mumbai's Zaveri Bazar, Dadar in Central Mumbai, and Opera House in Charni Road.

Police control room nos: 022-22621855/ 1983/ 5020

Three blasts rocks Mumbai, says police

Mumbai, July 13, Indian financial capital-Mumbai once again witnessed a series of blasts, police sources said on Wednesday. Local media reported that four persons have died in these blasts that took place at in the crowded Dadar, Opera House and Zaveri Bazar areas of the city.

The first explosion was reported from Mumbai’s famous Zaveeri Bazaar, an area of South Mumbai that is famous for its jewellery markets and Mumbadevi temple.

The second explosion was reported in a taxi in Dadar area, he said.

The third blast was reported from Opera House in Charni Road.

Meanwhile, an NIA team has been sent to Mumbai and all major Indian cities have been put on high alert.

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, has witnessed the worst-every militant strike of India, when 10 heavily armed personnel attacked two luxury hotels and a Jewish settlement and killed at least 166 people.

Salman Khan starrer Dabangg wins the national award

Salman Khan starrer ‘Dabangg’ was declared the wholesome entertainer at the 58^th National Films Awards that was declared on Thursday (May 19, 2011). But, the south Indian movies outshines majority of Hindi movies in the top category. While Tamil movie 'Aadukalam' was named in six top categories, Malayalam film 'Adaminte Makan Abu' picked up four honours.

Here's the list of winners:

• Best Film: 'Adaminte Makan Abu'
• Best Hindi Feature Film: Do Dooni Chaar
• Best 'Wholesome Entertainer of the Year' : Dabangg
• Best Sports Film National Award: 'Boxing Ladies'
• Best sci & tech film: Heart to Heart
• Best film on social issues: Champions
• Best English film - Memories in March
• Best Art & Culture Film: Leaving Home (Indian Ocean Film)
• Best Marathi Film: Mana Ayi Vacha
• Best Kannada Film: Putukarna Highway
• Best Children’s Film: Hejjegalu
• Best Investigative Film: K R Manoj's 'A Pestering Journey' on Endosulfan victims
• Best special effects: - Enthiran, Robot
• Best Actor: Salim Kumar for Adaminte Makan Abu and Dhanush for Aadukalam
• Best actress: Marathi actress Mitalee Jagtap Paradhar and Tamil actress Saranya
• Best director: Vetrimaaran for 'Aadukalam'
• Best supporting actress: Malayalam actress Sukumari
• Best Male Playback Singer: Suresh Wadkar
• Best Female Playback Singer: Rekha Bhardwaj for Ishqiya
• Best Music: Vishal Bharadwaj for Ishqiya
• Best audiography location sound recordist: Kamod Karade (Ishqiya)
• Best re-recordist of the final mixed track: Debajit Changmai
• Best cinematographer: Madhu Ambattu has won award for Adaminte Makan Abu.
• Best production design: Sabu Cyril for Enthiran
• Special jury award: Mee Sindhutai Sakpal

Batla House encounter still haunts its residents

Two years have been passed since an infamous encounter took place at Batla House, where the police gunned down two militants belonging to the banned Indian Mujahideen outfit and also lost one of its highly decorated officers. But, the ghost of this infamous encounter still haunts the residents of this Muslim dominated locality.

There are innumerable incidents, where the residents of this colony were humiliated by multiple sections of the society including leading politicians and government officials. Being a resident of Batla House, I had also undergone through a series of horrible experiences. Sometimes, vicious comments of my friends disappointed me and sometimes, I had to undergone through a ‘Loyalty Test,’ that was especially framed by some employers for the residents of this area to check whether I am Indian or a terrorist.

But, what annoyed me the most was the words said by one of the officers of the UP Police. During his routine check up, he addressed me as “Ye Mian hai Batla House ka aur hamara dushman hai,” (This Muslim, who resides at Batla House is our enemy or anti-national). These words not only question fidelity of all the residents of my locality but also showcase the thinking of law enforcement authorities towards it. The words still haunt me.

I know this incident was just like a drop in ocean and there are many cases where the office bearers of security agencies and even some media houses touted this slum as the safe heavens for the militants. The main opposition of the country, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), even made this neglected colony as its main election issue during last Assembly Elections. The eye-catchy banners reading “Mushrooming Batla Houses,” were posted all across the national capital region to malign the image of this colony that accommodates a huge chunk of some highly literate Muslims.

Now the question arises, what the victimized residents of this colony—that is a home to some noted scholars and academicians of the country--will do and when the self-declared nationalists—the police and politicians, who themselves are involved in corruption, would stop this non-sense.