Click to play videoSurat: Diamond traders gathered in Surat to condole the loss of their counterparts in Mumbai's Zaveri Bazaar blast. But the only question that dominated collective consciousness - has the diamond industry become a key target for terrorists? While July 13 serial blasts is the third attack on Zaveri Bazaar, Surat remains vulnerable too, with 20 live bombs being recovered from its diamond industry-dominated areas in 2008. In the wake of the Zaveri Bazaar attack, fear has returned.
Diamond trader Pravin Nanavati said, "If an incident like that of Mumbai happens in Surat, there will be a major loss to human lives and also financial loss to the Gujarat and Indian government."
Surat, a hub for diamond cutting and polishing, shares close ties with Mumbai's diamond industry as the trading happens there.
President of Surat Diamond Association Dinesh Navadia said, "The diamond business is being specifically targeted. Terrorists want to harm both financially and by way of human lives."
Home Minister P Chidambaram has dismissed theories that the attacks were against the diamond-trading community. The police, however, are not taking a chance.
Commissioner of Police, Surat Rakesh Asthana said, "After the blasts, we have taken several steps to beef up security, especially in Surat's diamond trading hub."
Surat's diamond-trading community remains convinced that it is on the terror radar. And till better security measures are installed, their fears will remain.
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