A hostage situation went down in Mumbai on October 30, but ended with without incident. The lives of 17 children and 1 adult were at stake when Mumbai police swiftly foiled the hostage-taker's plan.
Mumbai Police successfully concluded a nearly three-hour long dramatic hostage situation. The hostages were held at a studio in Powai by a person who died from a bullet injury sustained during police action.
The children, boys and girls between the ages of 10 to 12, had been called to the studio for an audition for a web series that had been ongoing for two days. In a video released before police intervention, hostage-taker Rohit Arya explained his motive, claiming he made a plan to hold the children instead of committing suicide.
"I have very simple demands. Very moral, ethical demands. I have some questions," Arya said, adding, "I want to speak to some people... I want these answers. I am not a terrorist, nor do I have any demand for money. (I) want to make simple conversations."
He issued a stern warning to authorities that "the slightest wrong move from your end may trigger me to set this whole place on fire....whether I die or not, the children will be unnecessarily hurt, traumatised for sure....I should not be held responsible."
It was later revealed that he was armed with an air gun and also some chemicals.
Police said a Senior Inspector received a call about the developing situation on Thursday afternoon. While another senior cop kept Arya engaged on a call, two fire officials placed a ladder near the bathroom grill on the first floor.
Two other cops then entered the studio from the window, opened fire and freed the children.
Arya was shot during the operation and later died at the hospital.
According to police, Arya was carrying an air gun and also some chemicals. Anxious parents waited outside the 10-storey building as the hostage drama unfolded.
After receiving a call about a man holding children hostage inside RA Studio in Mahavir Classic building, Powai police officials along with a Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and a fire brigade team reached the spot, said DCP Nalawade.
Before the police entered the studio, Arya released his video which went viral on social media.
Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad said the incident indicated deterioration in the city's law and order situation."Rohit Arya had worked on major projects with the Maharashtra Education Department, and he claimed he was owed Rs 2 crore, for which he had held protests earlier.
Due to this negligence on the part of the government, the lives of many children were put in danger today," claimed the Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai North Central. When asked by reporters about the incident in Amravati, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, said details will be shared soon.
