Devika Rotawan, a survivor of the 2008 Mumbai terror assaults and a pivotal witness who recognized terrorist Ajmal Kasab in courtroom, nonetheless remembers the evening that altered her life ceaselessly.
At simply 9 years previous, Devika discovered herself trapped within the chaos at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on November 26, 2008. A bullet struck her leg in the course of the assault, leaving a long-lasting damage that continues to hassle her, significantly in the course of the colder months when the ache worsens.
On the eve of the seventeenth anniversary of the 26/11 assaults, Devika Rotawan, now 25, spoke to PTI, saying she will be able to always remember that tragic evening.
“It’s been 16 years, however I nonetheless bear in mind all the pieces—what I used to be doing, the place I used to be going, and the way the assault unfolded,” she stated.
Devika shared that she, her father, and her brother have been touring to fulfill her elder brother in Pune on the evening of November 26, 2008.
“We had simply arrived at CSMT from Bandra when a bomb blast occurred, adopted by a barrage of gunfire. Folks of all ages have been badly injured,” she stated.
Devika was initially taken to St. George’s Hospital with many others injured within the assault. Overwhelmed by the chaos and severity of the state of affairs, she was later shifted to JJ Hospital, the place medical doctors carried out surgical procedure to take away the bullet from her leg.
“I used to be unconscious for a while,” she stated, recalling her ordeal. Devika spent over a month within the hospital recovering from her accidents.
After being discharged, she returned to her hometown in Rajasthan, however the trauma of that evening stayed along with her.
When the Mumbai Crime Department reached out to her household, asking if she would testify in courtroom, they readily agreed.
“My father and I had seen the terrorists, and I used to be in a position to establish Ajmal Kasab, the person who precipitated a lot struggling,” Devika stated.
Devika’s testimony performed a key position within the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the one terrorist captured alive in the course of the 26/11 assaults. Her identification of Kasab in courtroom was instrumental in his conviction.
“I wished to kill him myself, however I used to be only a nine-year-old baby. All I might do was level him out in courtroom,” she stated. The reminiscence of Kasab and his position within the assaults continues to hang-out her.
Devika, who misplaced her mom in 2006, goals of changing into an officer to battle terrorism.
“Terrorism should be eradicated utterly. Folks want to face up in opposition to the wrongs in society. All of it begins from Pakistan, and steps should be taken to cease it,” she stated, expressing confidence within the Indian authorities’s capability to deal with such threats.
Regardless of receiving assist from many after the assaults, Devika shared that some family distanced themselves from her household. “We weren’t invited to household capabilities for a very long time,” she revealed, although the state of affairs has improved now. “We’ve began receiving invites once more.”
oday, Devika Rotawan continues to endure the bodily ache brought on by the occasions of 26/11, however her willpower stays unwavering.
“My leg nonetheless hurts, and it typically swells in the course of the winter months, however I’m proud that I stood up for justice. It’s necessary for individuals to assist victims and communicate out,” she stated.
Because the anniversary of the 26/11 terror assault approaches, Devika urged the general public to honor the reminiscence of the victims and stand united in opposition to terrorism.
“Terrorism should finish, and folks ought to bear in mind what occurred that evening. We have to assist the victims and battle in opposition to such threats collectively,” she stated.
Having accomplished her commencement, Devika now resides in a rented home in Bandra East. In a 2022 directive, the Bombay Excessive Courtroom requested the Maharashtra authorities to “sensitively think about” her request for a home below the Economically Weaker Part scheme.
Devika talked about that she had initially obtained compensation of ₹3.26 lakh like different survivors. Moreover, former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis helped safe ₹10 lakh for her medical remedy. Nonetheless, whereas her household was allotted a home, they’re nonetheless ready to take possession of the property.
In regards to the 26/11 Terror Assault
On November 26, 2008, ten closely armed terrorists from Pakistan infiltrated Mumbai through the ocean route, launching one in every of India’s deadliest terror assaults. The assault left 166 individuals useless, together with 18 safety personnel, and injured a whole lot extra. Property injury bumped into crores of rupees.
The assault started on the night of November 26 and lasted till November 29, concentrating on key places such because the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace Lodge, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, and the Nariman Home Jewish Neighborhood Centre.
Among the many fallen have been outstanding figures like Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, Main Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mumbai’s Further Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte, and Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar.
9 of the attackers have been killed in the course of the operation, whereas Ajmal Kasab, the only real terrorist captured alive, was tried and convicted. He was executed on November 21, 2012.
