Midlander’s fears after killing spree
A Wolverhampton man is anxiously awaiting news about his friend who was in Mumbai the day terrorists attacked the city, killing more than 100.
Baldev Deol, who has been travelling to Mumbai for the last 12 years on business, is waiting to hear from his friend who was supposed to be attending a party at the ill-fated Taj Hotel, around the time terrorists opened gunfire.
Mr Deol, from Compton in Wolverhampton, said: “My friend Hitten Thaker lived in Brighton for five years before he returned to Mumbai.
“I last spoke to him a couple of days ago. He was supposed to go to a party on the 25th or 26th at the Taj Hotel but I haven’t spoken to him. But he has family out there so I’m sure he’s OK.”
Mr Deol, an aspiring Bollywood actor, frequently flies to Mumbai to export cars and audition for film roles.
He said: “Mumbai is a very glamorous place. The people are peace loving and lovely. I cannot believe it, why would anybody do that?”
Meanwhile, Hamid Malik, president of the Federation of Indian Muslim Organisations (Midlands) UK, based in Perry Barr, condemned the attacks.
Mr Malik said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those innocent people and officers on duty killed and injured. British Indian Muslims in the Midlands stand with the people of India, where we believe secularism, democracy and traditions of peaceful coexistence will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology which led to these attacks.”
