Bullet-riddled windows still draw curious glances at Leopold

Mumbai, May 24 (PTI) The beer still flows freely at Cafe
Leopold and conversations resonate at the landmark eatery in
India's financial capital, all presenting a picture of
normalcy but for the bullet-riddled windows that still draw
curious glances.

"Eight persons were killed and over 10 injured when two
gunmen opened fire with assault rifles at Cafe Leopold on the
night of November 26 and though six months have passed, the
memories of the night still linger," Farzad Jehani, co-owner
of the restaurant said.

"We have covered the bullet-hit windows with acrylic
material to preserve them and I have competitors who say it is
a business tactic. But I'd want to know what would they have
done if a similar incident had taken place at their
establishment?" Jehani said.

According to Jehani, whose restaurant has been a family
legacy since the past 75 years, the bullet-riddled windows
have to be maintained since it is a reminder of the gruesome
incident.

"It is an incident which has gone down in the history of
world terrorism and I cannot change that," he said.

Since the attacks, the restaurant has beefed up security
and has also begun checking patrons who enter carrying large
haversacks using metal detectors.

The staff at Leopold has also become used to dealing with
various queries regarding the terror strikes including showing
the various bullet holes in the eatery.

"The memory of that night will die a slow death for us.
People still come in and ask about that night and everyone
wants to know about it, but its ok," Jehani said.

The management of the restaurant also received almost Rs
3-4 lakh in donations for two members of its staff who fell to
the bullets on that night.

However, some like Peer Pasha, who worked 18 years at the
restaurant won't be forgotten any time soon.

"I would always ask Pasha to bring my tea while I was
supervising the restaurant and even now sometimes I ask for
him only to realise that he's not here any more," Jehani said.
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