This is what I "intuited" and avoided asking any questions about; even before I had read this piece earlier. But now that its finally appeared on Goanet, I would like to have a small say.
When I was studying at JJ (5 years + I year Bridge Course) I would got off at this station and know it very well. There is simply no way a someone with a rifle could not have got one or both of those guys. Taking into consideration what we knoow so far, including having seeing the footage of CCTVs -- of our finest cowering and even displaying absolute nonchalance (Does one have to go through Laban Movement Analysis/ or Bartenieff Fundamentals to explain this?); it simply means that something was amiss on many levels. Perhaps a host of things right from training, inability to shot under fire, no bullets, seeing an AK 47 being fired for the first time, an etude in P(prostration) major, and although it may sound heretical -- perhaps a call to stand down for whatever reason, (could this even possible). I for one will not be able to utter the words "amchi manshe: for a long time. I love our guys, although I must add that I have got whacked twice by these my beloved protectors; once pretty badly early in the morning in Chembur while doing distance training. (More some other time). In the US they say there are a few bad apples among various police forces-- it is now becoming apparent that its the few good ones who protect the brutes among them. I feel that our guys are not brutes with billas, but not motivated on account of the thieving politicians and their often pompous superiors. I dread to think what will happen if tazers are introduced in India, or even nightsticks and assault batons, or plastic cuffs for that matter. Lord, lets just forget the heavy boots raining on people's heads. Its also time people just zipped it, and ask the relevant questions instead of going around in circles. Ask the same question that Sebastian asked, and others stemming from it or analogous to it. How can someone walk the streets of Mumbai and go rat-a-tat. Is this Deepawali? Are we so freaking modern that we have even run out of batchkis (catapults). Come on people -- those of you who just keep hammering at pointless stuff -- just wake up. By now we should be unable to shed any more tears -- the lachrymal glands having shrivelled up, as that of a woman who has no one left, the system having taken everything, including all dear and loved ones. I know that the Central government can give one a portfolio if it so chooses without one having to go through elections. Can someone propose my name as Home Minister. Heck give me both portfolios, the Defense one too. Lets start by reading the riot act to our own people first -- including the wealthy turds. The article which Hartman posted is an eminent step in that direction. I only hope that in the future, Sebastian D'Souza does not get whacked in some way, as the other Sebastian with the arrows. No one likes to be embarassed, but I feel we Indians do not deal too well with our incompetence being pointed out, and get seriouly bent out of shape. Can someone propose behavioral adjustment programs for all walks of life to Doordhsrsan and make it mandatory on other channels. Let have some hope here. Venantius J Pinto > Subject: [Goanet] Mumbai photographer: I wish I'd had a gun, not a > camera. Armed police would not fire back > Jerome Taylor talks to the photographer whose picture went around the world > > Saturday, 29 November 2008 > > Sebastian D'Souza > But what angered Mr D'Souza almost as much were the masses of armed > police hiding in the area who simply refused to shoot back. "There > were armed policemen hiding all around the station but none of them > did anything," he said. "At one point, I ran up to them and told them > to use their weapons. I said, 'Shoot them, they're sitting ducks!' but > they just didn't shoot back." >