Bloodied Diamonds

averi Bazaar in Mumbai—one of a dozen trade-driven, single-lane, commercial hubs. Catering exclusively to the diamond and bullion trade and lined with glass facade jewellery shops, the lane lies sandwiched between the Mumbadevi temple and the Juma Masjid. Zaveri Bazaar is a favourite of the atypical tourist—much like the Gold Souk of Dubai. It’s also a recurring target on terror hit-lists.

The July 13 blast was the third terror attack, occurring barely 100-150 metres from the March 1993 and August 2003 blast sites. This attack was perhaps the closest to the two large safe-deposit vaults at Mumbadevi Chambers and Dhanrukji Dewan. “Nearly 80-85 per cent of the traders use these vaults to store gold, diamonds and cash,” says Devenbhai D. Shah, who has witnessed all three attacks. “Zaveri Bazaar and Panchratna (Opera House) are hubs of India’s bullion and diamond trade. Isn’t it clear that someone wants to target the country’s prosperity?”

Though the trade is owned and dominated by the Gujarati community, Zaveri Bazaar has a floating migrant population—the source of both its labour force and its unique food stalls. An ied, wrapped in an umbrella, was placed atop a scooter near a kachori stall. “I was thrown off my chair in the adjacent shop,” says Keshav Purohit, a trader. “I saw the kachoriwala die, his limbs dismembered. After 1993 and 2003, we installed cctv cameras in the lane, but it’s so packed that it’s impossible to detect anything. Now, we’ll have to think of something drastic to keep Zaveri Bazaar safe.”

A ban on traffic and hawking in the lane could be instituted—as suggested by traders five years ago—to secure the lanes adjoining Panchratna. An ied went off in one of these lanes. “Nearly 500 two-wheelers are parked daily, some permanently. Like Zaveri Bazaar, this lane is packed with food stalls,” says Naresh Mehta, Panchratna society secretary.