he diamond and jewellery industry in Mumbai last month became the target of two deadly bombs that exploded in the

bustling Zaveri Bazaar and Opera House districts. The carefully orchestrated, near-simultaneous explosions went off on July 13 around 7 pm. A third bomb detonated in the Kabutarkhana area of Dadar West, a crowded area in central Mumbai.

At the time of going to press, the death toll from the triple blasts stood

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at 23, and a total of 131 people were reported injured. Many of the victims were employees of diamond and jewellery trading firms in the vicinity.

Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) chairman Rajiv Jain said in a statement: “On behalf of the GJEPC and the entire gem and jewellery community of India, I convey our most heartfelt condolences to the citizens of Mumbai, following the dastardly terrorist attacks which struck Mumbai. The

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GJEPC’s deepest sympathy goes out to the families and friends of all those who have lost their lives or are injured in this senseless devastation and cowardly act.”

“The Indian gem and jewellery industry’s voice loudly joins the chorus of all those who rightfully and vociferously condemn these repeated acts of terrorism on the financial capital of the country,” Jain noted.

The first bomb exploded at 6:54 pm in ‘khau galli’, a busy lane in Zaveri Bazaar

and secure business environment for the jewellery trade at the earliest.”

According to Ficci, there is expected to be a loss of R500 crore due to the blast and closure of offices and manufacturing units in Zaveri Bazaar. The diamond hubs of Panchratna building and Prasad Chambers at Opera House clock annual diamond exports to the tune of R150,000 crore, Ficci said.

“The government, industry and citizens should set up mechanisms to prevent such attacks in future. India which is known for its vibrant democracy should give its people the freedom to pursue their business and professions fearlessly and effectively,” noted Prasad Kapre, co-chairman, Ficci Gems and Jewellery Committee.

Moshe Mosbacher, president of the New York-based Diamond Dealers Club, reacted with horror at the news of the coordinated terrorist attacks in Mumbai. “Words cannot properly express our shock and dismay over these cruel and senseless attacks, whose sole aim is to wreak havoc and cause suffering in a city that is so important, first and foremost because it is home to so many friends and family. Our hearts go out to all the victims, the injured and their families," Mosbacher said.

The bombings brought into sharp focus the Mumbai diamond industry’s reluctance to move to the Bharat Diamond Bourse, a high-security, diamond trading complex in the suburbs.

“We reaffirm that the GJEPC stands ready to assume its responsibility to work with all the stakeholders of the industry, the people of Mumbai and the government for ensuring the stability, the wellbeing and security of the diamond and jewellery business districts of Mumbai at Zaveri Bazaar and Opera House. We appeal to the government to take all possible steps to stop recurrence of such continued attacks on peace loving citizens of Mumbai who have gone through terrible suffering time and again due to such senseless acts of terrorism,” Jain said. n

dotted with hawkers selling street food. The alley is frequented by hordes of workers from the area who unfortunately made up most of the victims. The Opera House blast a minute later was dangerously close to the Panchratna building and Prasad Chambers, which house many of India’s biggest diamond companies.

Jain added: “We are distressed and pained to know of the loss of our industry colleagues who had suffered when they were busy in contributing to the business and progress of exports of the country through toil and hard work. However the industry is not deterred and cannot be browbeaten with such acts of cowardice. We will continue to ensure that such acts will not disrupt stability in the diamond and jewellery markets in India.

In the wake of the serial blasts, the global diamond and jewellery industry offered condolences, and leaders issued statements condemning the deadly attacks on India’s gem and jewellery industry.

Avi Paz sent condolences on behalf of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) to Anoop Mehta, president of the Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai, India. “We were shocked to hear about the terrorist bombing attacks that hit Mumbai and claimed the lives of so many innocent people, some of them members of the diamond business community in Mumbai. On behalf of the WFDB and its affiliated member bourses, I extend our organisation's sincere condolences to the families of the victims and send our best wishes for speedy recovery to the wounded,” Paz wrote.

Zaveri Bazaar, which was targeted again after the 1993 serial blasts, houses an estimated 5,000 bullion and jewellery shops and offices.

“I am extremely pained and distressed to see the unfortunate spate of terror attacks on the nerve centres of India’s gem and jewellery businesses,” said Mehul Choksi, chairman of the Ficci Gems and Jewellery Committee, adding that “it is imperative that we try and recreate a safe

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he industry is not deterred

and cannot be browbeaten with such acts of cowardice. We will continue to ensure that such acts will not disrupt stability in the diamond and jewellery markets in India.”