Mumbai celebrates Kasab’s death sentence with sweets

MUMBAI - There were celebrations on the streets of Mumbai Thursday as people burst firecrackers amid the beating of drums and distributed sweets to express their happiness at the death sentence awarded to Ajmal Amir Kasab for the 26/11 mayhem.

At the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, where Kasab and his associate Abu Ismail massacred over 50 people, many commuters lit a lamp in front of a memorial to the victims.

“We are glad Kasab has been awarded the death sentence. It comes as a tribute to all those who lost their lives in the terror attacks here at CST,” said Anil Parmar, a daily commuter.

Most sought immediate execution of the death sentence, with some even saying he should be shot by a firing squad in public.

Firecrackers were burst along with the beating of drums outside Special Public Prosecutor Ujjawal’s Nikam hotel in the CST. People gathered outside his hotel with garlands and bouquets to felicitate him for his feat.

Party workers of the Shiv Sena also burst firecrackers at various places to welcome the death penalty.

Members of the National Institute of Jihad Against Atrocities and Terrorism (NIJAAT) distributed sweets to passers by near the Maratha Mandir in Mumbai Central, south Mumbai. “We are glad he has been sentenced to death,” said NIJAAT convenor Haji Hyder Azam.

In the western suburbs of Mumbai people celebrated by distributing sweets to passers by. “This is our way to welcome Kasab’s death sentence. We just hope his execution also takes place soon,” said Ameya S. from suburban Goregaon.