Mumbai Under Siege

The scenes streaming out of Mumbai are surreal and horrific. This is not your typical hit-and-run terrorist attack. It is playing out like a concerted plan to bring down the Indian socio-political infrastructure. That several high-ranking Indian law enforcement officials have been killed lends to the vibe that this is not just a terrorist attack, but a terrorist invasion. That Western tourists have been especially targeted assures a long-term hit on Indian tourism, and that the terrorists will be playing out their script with the whole world watching. (Already, CNN International has made note that peripheral celebrities such as Elizabeth Hurley and the ex-wife of Prince may have been affected by the attacks. It appears that several European politicians, including the President of Madrid, were at either the Taj or the Oberoi when they were attacked.)

India is the world's largest democracy. It has been the scene of previous large-scale terrorist attacks, but this one somehow feels different. I am not conversant with the state of civil liberties in India (though it has a very liberal judiciary). I do hope that forthcoming anti-terror measures will not lead to the sapping of democracy through the undue curtailment of civil liberties. If the fabric of Indian society is reshaped by fear, then -- to use the hoary cliche -- the terrorists have succeeded.

For those interested in tracking the attacks, here are a few useful links. Many are vouching for the updates from Twitter. Photographs from the scene are now on Flickr. Google Maps features the location of the attacks. Blog updates from Mumbai Metlogs. Local media coverage courtesy of the Mumbai Mirror (which has a timeline), DNA India, and the Times of India.