The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Mumbai terror attack claims two more from State

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Mumbai terror attack claims two more from State

Staff Reporter

Vijaya Rao Bhanja was a chef at Taj
Ameena Begum was shot dead at CST

NIZAMABAD/HYDERABAD: As more details of the victims in the Mumbai carnage trickle in, the toll of people from the State rose to three, one of them being a woman from Nizamabad.

Ameena Begum (20) of Nizamabad fell prey to the terrorists’ bullets at Chattrapathi Shivaji Terminus (CST) while Vijaya Rao Bhanja was gunned down at Taj Hotel where he worked as chef. Laxminarayan Goel was killed in a blast in his taxi near Vile Parle, as reported earlier. All of them lost their lives in the first wave of attacks by the terrorists on Wednesday night.

A resident of Shantinagar, Ameena Begum was returning home along with her parents, brother and niece after visiting the famous Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai. Having missed the Devagiri Express, they wanted to board the Tapovan Express to travel up to Nanded.

Suddenly, terrorists sprayed bullets on the waiting passengers at CST. Sensing trouble, Ameena and her parents lowered their heads. However, she was hit by a bullet in the head when she stood up to persuade her niece to squat on the floor. She died on the spot.

Her father Abdul Rasheed was also hit by gunfire but was said to be out of danger in the hospital where he was admitted, Superintendent of Police N. Suryanarayana said. Other family members are safe. Ms. Begum’s body is being brought here on Saturday, police said.

Reassuring words

“Everything is fine. I am safe. No need to panic.” These were the reassuring words of Vijaya Rao Bhanja to his family members in Hyderabad as terrorists took charge of the star hotel on Wednesday night. But his mobile phone got switched off after midnight leaving the relatives panic-stricken.

The shocking news reached them the next morning. “Bhanja is no more. He was killed in the terrorist attack” his colleague Ramu, who was also in the hotel when terrorists took control, informed Uma Augustine Jayaraj, the chef’s sister.

Vijaya Rao was youngest of the three siblings. Immediately after completing hospitality course from the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology in New Delhi, he joined the Taj group and rose to the level of chief chef, Ms. Jayaraj recalled.

Bhanja lives in Mumbai with his son Rohan, an Intermediate student and wife Fareeda, a teacher. His brothers left for Mumbai on Thursday evening on learning about his death.

“My uncle was very affable and affectionate,” Bhanja’s nephew Anush, a private bank executive, remarked.

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