Mock anti-terror drill by Mumbai police creates panic

A mock anti-terror drill conducted by police at a mall in suburban Goregaon today triggered panic among people in the vicinity.

The exercise caused chaos in the area as it coincided with Muharram today, the day when Muslims observe the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, Imam Hussain, who died on this day.

Armed with AK 47s, other advanced weapons and combat vehicles, about 250 policemen, including Quick Response Teams (QRT) took positions inside and outside Oberoi Mall in Dindoshi area, and carried out the exercise for about two hours.

Additional police commissioner (north) Ramrao Kadam said they were testing their preparedness by conducting such drills.

"This would make the personnel battle-ready and counter or tackle any terror acts. We will also know our response time in case of adverse situation and can measure our overall performance," he said.

The cops had studied the topography of the area and had swiftly taken positions with the help of photographs, he said.

He refuted that police had not taken locals into confidence before conducting the drill. "We had told people inside the mall and residents in the locality about it," he said.

However, agitated locals gathered near the mall came down heavily on police saying that they were never informed about any such exercise.

"My children were watching a movie in a theatre inside the mall when I was told that cops surrounded it. I thought something has really gone wrong," said Pranali Joshi, a resident in the area.

Unaware of the drill, passersby said the timing chosen by police was not right as today is Muharram. "The police should have remained busy on maintaining law and order. This exercise has led to a lot of panic in the area," said Praveen More.

The mock drill also caused heavy traffic jam on the Western Express Highway as onlookers stood on the road to see the exercise.