Local jews want early execution of Kasab

For local Jews who are witnesses to the bloody terror attack on Nariman House, the Jewish outreach centre here, the special court awarding capital punishment to Ajmal Kasab, lone Pakistani gunmen caught alive, was an emotional moment.

"It is a very personal and emotional moment for all of us as we have lost Rabbi Gabi, Riviki (as they were fondly called), who were generous and loving people, and four other Jewish people," Israeli Consul General Orna Sagiv told PTI.

"We have been closely following the trial from the beginning. We hope it (the death sentence) is executed at the earliest," Sagiv said.

Though Kasab was not among those who attacked the Nariman house, he was part of the terrorists gang who let loose death and destruction on Mumbai on November 26, 2008.

Another local Jew who did not wish to be named, said, "It is an emotional moment. I do not want to say anything further."

Samsung Mosses, a local Jew, said Kasab should have been given life imprisonment instead of capital punishment.

"I am against death sentence. He must have been awarded the life sentence because he had come here with a mission to kill people and get killed as well. In Israel most of the convicts are given life term as it is the best punishment these people deserve."

He, however, said since Kasab was awarded death sentence, "we just hope it won't take ten or 20 years to execute and happen quickly just as the trial was wrapped up. By this India will send a strong message to extremists groups."

Nariman House, a Jewish outreach centre run by Chabad-Lubavitch Movement with an educational centre and a synagogue, offers drug prevention services and lodging facility to the members of the community.

It is no more functioning as the building suffered considerable damage during the terror attack in which 166 people lost their lives. It will be functioning from another locality yet to be identified.