Scarred for life, blast victims can’t forget

The police termed it a “low intensity blast” — only three people were killed. But even a year after the Mehrauli blast on September 27, 2008, the survivors are haunted by its memories every day, reports Karan Choudhury.

The police termed it a “low intensity blast” — only three people were killed. But even a year after the Mehrauli blast on September 27, 2008, the survivors are haunted by its memories every day.

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“I still curse the day when my son went to the market. Why did he have to die? I lost my only support,” said Mahesh, a daily wage labour.

His son Santosh Kumar (11) was killed when the minor picked up the bomb to hand it over to the two men on a motorcycle who had dropped the package. He was killed instantly.

A year down the line, Serai Lane in the market known as Phoolwalon ki Sairwala near Aulia Masjid is bustling with life. But for Sheetal Singh (12) every day is a reminder. The minor was on her way back from school when the blast took place. The shards of the bomb ripped her face.

She smiles no doubt, but it comes with a price.

“Every year she would require a new set of teeth. The surgery alone costs Rs 10,000. The scars on her face would be there for life. With my salary, I cannot afford plastic surgery for my daughter,” said her father Bachan Singh, a driver.

Another father, Baldev Khattar (54), who owns an electronic store thanks God every day that it was him and not his son who was caught in the blast.

Khattar was critically injured in the blast and spent 25 days in the hospital. His only comfort — it wasn’t his son.