For the second time round, Pune has hit headlines for an allegedly terror/mischief monger attack. While the German Bakery blast was horrendous, Wednesday’s series of mini blasts at the prime Jangli Maharaj Road probably have a bigger, more dangerous message

While the horror of the German Bakery blast still haunts Puneites, Wednesday’s min-serial blasts on the prime Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road should be seen as terrorists/mischief mongers’ activity, sending out a maximum message of defiance, a comeback and loud warning.

While fortunately only one person was injured, the 15 minutes of half-hearted explosions that rocked JM Road reflected the cunning strategy of the culprits that has succeeded in shattering Pune’s confidence of peace and inciting fear into every Puneite.  Here’s why:

• • JM Road is in a sense is the most sought after and perhaps the most travelled arterial road for Puneites coming from innumerable directions of the city. Unlike the German Bakery which is locally called a “camp area” landmark and you get to see it only if you travel the North Main Koregaon Park Road
• • JM Road represents the very ethos of culture which Pune is known for as the public auditorium, Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir which earns the highest cultural heritage status in Maharashtra is located here (in front of which a bomb exploded). Thus, the heart of every Puneite has been shattered
•  • International brands like Pizza Hut, MacDonald’s KFC and number of international clothes and sports brand outlets are concentrated here. Along with famous eateries at every 100 feet and having one of the most popular public gardens, Sambhaji Park located here, it attracts youngsters and families in thousands during evening hours
• • The timing chosen for the bomb blasts was in the evening when people go to see plays, visit the Sambhaji Garden, stroll around for shopping and eating out. Besides, it’s that time of the hour when traffic is at its peak as thousands return home from work
• • It was the time when new home minister Sushilkumar Shinde was to use this road for an official function but changed his mind in the 11^th hour
• It is the road where the Anna Movement is spearheaded in Pune—just opposite the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir
• • It is important to remember that it is on 8^th June that Indian Mujahideen operative Qateel Siddiqui was murdered in the high security Anda Cell of the Yerawada Central Prison
• • Pune is the most favourite hub of major terrorist outfits including right wing ones
  
  It is thanks to these many connotations and significant choice and time of the attacks that the law and enforcing authorities are refraining from sticking their neck out with any specific comments. Pune Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol denies the hand of terror while home secretary RK Singh does not rule it out.
  
  What’s very worrisome is that Pune has been the hub of practically all major terrorist outfits of India. Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) have their set bases here, particularly in the southern part of the city. ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad) officials had stated that Pune is now also the new home-ground for members of the Naxalite Movement and a safe haven for Maoists, too. A couple of years back, six alleged Naxalites were arrested by the ATS.
  
  Pune has become a favourite breeding ground for terrorist activities due to the large student and migrant labour population, ATS top cops had stated it is easy to lure youngsters and migrant labourers into such activities and increase membership. Besides, Pune is easily accessible to all major cities, having fantastic road, rail and air links. Mainly, it is closest to Mumbai, which was earlier the underworld empire and has been under the scanner of the police since several years. So, Pune becomes the next best place as the hide-out.
  
  One cannot forget that young IT engineer Mansoor Peerbhoy, a resident of Kodhwa in South Pune, was the whiz kid of the IM who was arrested last year. He earned a neat salary of Rs19 lakh per annum but worked in the moonlight for IM. Or that it is the home ground of the Hindu radical outfit Abhinav Bharat.
  
  Indeed, the fear has set in Pune, with minimum efforts by the alleged terrorist outfit.

(Vinita Deshmukh is the consulting editor of Moneylife, an RTI activist and convener of the Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyaan. She is the recipient of prestigious awards like the Statesman Award for Rural Reporting which she won twice in 1998 and 2005 and the Chameli Devi Jain award for outstanding media person for her investigation series on Dow Chemicals. She co-authored the book “To The Last Bullet - The Inspiring Story of A Braveheart - Ashok Kamte” with Vinita Kamte. She can be reached at vinitapune@gmail.com)