VZCZCXRO9694
RR RUEHCI
DE RUEHCI #0332/01 3401546
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051546Z DEC 08
FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2205
INFO RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2695

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLKATA 000332 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/INS, INR/MR 
NSC FOR ANISH GOEL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER IN
SUBJECT: KOLKATA RESPONDS TO MUMBAI TERRORIST ATTACKS 
 
REF: 08 NEW DELHI 3065 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: Like their fellow Indians throughout the 
country, Kolkatans were captivated and shocked by the Mumbai 
terrorist attacks.  However, the initial reactions have failed 
to transform themselves into a general sense of urgency in the 
government or the general public for action.  The prevailing 
popular belief is that Kolkata is immune from a spectacular 
terrorist strike given its perceived gateway status for 
terrorist travel and the lack of international interest in the 
city.  State police would like to use what political window of 
opportunity there is to increase border and coastal security and 
strengthen state-level special response team capabilities. 
While business and civic organizations have cancelled several of 
their social functions, life in Kolkata is returning to its 
pre-Mumbai state, albeit with a notable increase in police 
presence. 
 
Mumbai: the Indian 9/11? 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The Indian media was quick to label the Mumbai 
November 26 terrorist attacks as the "Indian 9/11" citing the 
attacker's boldness, the landmark nature of the targets and the 
attackers ability to lay siege to the country's one true A-list 
global city.  Additionally, the media's continuous coverage of 
the event, which unfolded live for approximately 50 hours before 
millions of viewers, contributed to the sense of a shared 
national experience.  However, political, business and media 
contacts dismiss the 9/11 comparison because of the lack of 
government and public response.  In Kolkata there does not 
appear to be a sense of urgency for action or an overwhelming 
sense of solidarity with people in Mumbai.  While there have 
been a few small vigils in the city, there have not been any 
large scale demonstrations or rallies - a popular form of public 
expression in West Bengal - to express solidarity with the 
victims of Mumbai or advocate for enhanced security in West 
Bengal. 
 
Geo-political rather than Religious 
 
¶3. (SBU) Kolkata interlocutors unanimously view the Mumbai 
terrorist attacks through a geo-political, rather than religious 
lens.  They consider it to be an external attack on the state 
and not an attempt to mobilize the Muslim population within 
India or inflame religious tensions.  The BBC's East Indian 
correspondent speculated that the attacks were an attempt by the 
Pakistani Army establishment to jeopardize the ongoing 
confidence building measures with India.  While Muslim contacts 
are keeping a low profile, there have been no outbreaks of 
religious violence or public expression of anger towards the 
Muslim communities.  Kolkata Muslim organizations have condemned 
the attacks publicly and in Urdu print and electronic media (see 
Reftel). 
 
Investors Re-consider Country Risk 
 
¶4. (SBU) The business community anticipates that investors will 
focus more closely on India's perceived country risk before 
making investment decisions; although terrorism has always been 
factored into existing country risk multiples.  However, the 
greatest threat to the Indian economy continues to be the global 
financial crisis.  Companies, especially those in the tourism 
industry, have increased their physical security, and one 
American firm has even contacted post expressing interest in 
establishing an Overseas Security Advisory Council branch 
chapter since the attack. 
 
Window of Opportunity to Increase Security 
 
¶5. (SBU) State police appear to be seizing the opportunity to 
increase preparedness and expenditure on homeland security. 
Government of West Bengal's (GOWB) Inspector General for law and 
order told Poloff that the state government is considering 
establishing coastal police stations and strengthening border 
security with Bangladesh, as only 2478 km of the 2979 km land 
border is fenced (total length of border is 4096 km).  They 
would also like to increase the capability of state-held 
response assets, such as the establishment of a second special 
police battalion, and the addition of a new National Security 
Group/Guard presence in the West Bengal.  However, the officer 
confided that he did not perceive a changed sense of urgency 
from the senior civil servants and state politicians for action 
and remarked that a new internal directive to provide senior 
police officers with weapons training is not the type of 
response he had hoped for.  GOWB's Home Secretary Asok 
Chakrabarti asked ConGen for assistance with security training 
and recommendations for additional equipment, but appears to be 
as concerned with the possibility of Naxalite (Maoist) attacks 
as he is with potential terrorist attacks. 
 
KOLKATA 00000332  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
Is Kolkata Immune From Terrorist Attacks? 
 
¶6. (SBU) Many Kolkatans believe that terrorists will not attack 
Kolkata because of Kolkata's perceived use as a safe haven and 
transit point for terrorists from Bangladesh.  Others think that 
Kolkata is not a sexy enough target to attract world-wide 
interest for a high-profile terrorist attack.  Since the Mumbai 
attacks, a portion of the population is now questioning 
Kolkata's perceived safe haven status.  Police have increased 
their visible presence within the city and at the airport. 
 
Comment 
 
¶7. (SBU) Kolkata has always been physically closer to the 
Northeast insurgencies and terrorist attacks and has perhaps 
de-sensitized itself, more so than Mumbai or New Delhi, to 
terrorist violence.  While in the week following the attacks 
organizations did cancel some of their events, it was as much 
due to a physical fatigue from watching the events unfold as it 
was for solidarity purposes.  The calls for greater political 
accountability do not resonate here given the lack of real 
political competition in what is effectively a one-party state. 
If the Mumbai - 9/11 comparison is to hold, the attacks needs to 
be followed by a response, and in Kolkata at least, the lack of 
an immediate political or social one indicates that it is 
business as usual. 
PAYNE