Indian Americans have expressed outrage at the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai and appealed to both India and the US to bring to justice the perpetrators of the “heinous” crime.
In separate statements, they urged the people back home to maintain calm.
“The unconscionable actions in Mumbai have shocked the Indian American community,” said the Indian American Conservative Council (IACC) board members, Mr Ravi C. Narayan and Dr Sambhu Banik.
“We condemn these actions and express our deepest condolences to the innocent victims. We, as freedom loving Americans, simply cannot understand a culture that promotes and celebrates the taking of human life in such violent manner,” they said.
The IACC Chairman, Mr Dino Teppara, said: “Our State Department and intelligence services should assist our ally India in this time of need. If the training and planning for this latest attack came from Pakistan, it is time for America to issue an ultimatum to Pakistan. Either cease ties to terrorism or face the consequences.”
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) also condemned the attacks in Mumbai and extended its sympathies to the victims and the next of kin of those injured or killed in the blast.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of the Mumbai serial blasts and hope that the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended. We also salute the resilience of Indians in the face of such repeatedly attacks on Indian soil,” said the USINPAC Chairman, Mr Sanjay Puri.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the survivors in this difficult hour.
“This cold-blooded killing of innocent people, appears to be aimed at stoking sectarian tensions in a city known for its cosmopolitan outlook,” said Mr Shaheen Khateeb, President, Indian American Muslim Council.
It urged the people to refrain from rushing into any judgment until the results of the investigation were known.
The Atlanta-based, US Hindu Alliance, appealed to the Secretary of State, Ms Hillary Clinton, to immediately designate the Indian Mujahideen as a “foreign terrorist organisation’’.
It also welcomed America’s support to India to bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice.