In a dramatic late-night operation that lasted over eight tense hours, Mumbai Police shot dead a man who had taken 17 children hostage at a coaching centre in the upscale Powai area. The incident sent shockwaves through the peaceful neighbourhood and tested the mettle of the city's police force.
The Hostage Crisis Unfolds
The terrifying ordeal began on Thursday evening when Rohit Arya, a 35-year-old resident of Powai, entered the educational institute and took multiple children captive. Armed with a knife and displaying increasingly erratic behavior, Arya barricaded himself inside the facility with the young hostages.
Local residents reported hearing screams and commotion as the situation escalated rapidly. One parent who arrived to pick up their child described the scene as "chaotic and terrifying" as police cordoned off the area and emergency vehicles converged on the location.
Police Negotiations and Final Confrontation
Senior police officials, including additional commissioners and specialized negotiators, rushed to the scene to manage the crisis. For hours, they attempted to reason with Arya, who was making various demands and threatening to harm the children if his conditions weren't met.
"We tried everything possible to resolve this peacefully," stated a senior police officer involved in the operation. "Our negotiators spoke with him repeatedly, but he became increasingly agitated and violent."
The situation reached its critical point around 2 AM when Arya, holding a knife to one of the children, moved toward the other hostages. Assessing the immediate threat to the children's lives, police commandos opened fire, hitting Arya multiple times.
Aftermath and Investigation
Medical personnel declared Arya dead at the scene. All 17 children were safely rescued and underwent medical evaluation. While physically unharmed, many were reported to be traumatized by the experience.
Police have launched a comprehensive investigation into Arya's background and motivations. Preliminary reports suggest he had been facing personal and financial difficulties, though the exact reasons for his extreme actions remain under investigation.
The successful resolution of the hostage situation has brought praise for the Mumbai Police's handling of the crisis, though questions are being raised about security measures at educational institutions in the city.
