Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Terror attack

The dastardly and cowardly terror attack in the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, which claimed the life of the retired Delhi IIT professor, M.C. Puri, deserves to be condemned by all. Unless a secure atmosphere is created and investor-confidence ensured, the IT capital will find the going tough. Failure to acquire actionable intelligence and take timely action on it should be taken more seriously. People too need to come out of their stupor and realise that terror attacks no longer exclude them or are restricted to high-security installations.

Lt. Col. (retd.) R.V.S. Mani,
Madurai, T.N.

* * *

Failing in their attempts to instil terror and destabilise society through their attacks on high security Parliament and places of worship, the desperate terrorists have started targeting markets and academic institutions. People, more than ever before, should play a proactive role, informing the police of suspicious movements in their neighbourhood or crowded places. The fight can no longer be won by the security agencies alone.

Sharada Venkataraman,
Mumbai

* * *

Professor Puri's killing comes as a shock to not only his family but also the entire nation. That he fell to the assassin's bullet after pushing aside two students to safety is remarkable. Very few have such courage and presence of mind during a crisis.

Priyanka Chakrabarty,
Guwahati

* * *

The attack shows that extremists are now aiming at wider targets, which include the academic community. The unfortunate incident raises disturbing questions about security in a premier institution.

C. Kumara Chandru,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

There is no telling where the terrorists will strike tomorrow. The issue therefore needs to be viewed seriously by both the government and citizens. The need of the hour is a concerted campaign against terror by the government, the media, politicians, intellectuals, and social organisations

G.V.R. Sarma,
Chennai

* * *

The root cause of such repeated terror attacks is the lack of political will to put down the menace with an iron hand. India has become a soft target, which is a matter of serious concern.

S. Kannan,
Chennai

* * *

It is now clear that no place is safe on earth and terrorists have no specific targets. The investigation may eventually point to some outfit across the border but it is also true that we harbour it. It is time the nation stepped up intelligence to minimise, if not avoid, such heinous acts.

Shanmuga Sundara Ram Murugan,
Hyderabad

* * *

Bangalore which, of late, has become a safe haven for terrorists of various hues, has now witnessed a first-time terrorist attack. The attack on the IISc is clearly a move to spread panic in the IT capital.

J.S. Acharya,
Hyderabad

* * *

The terrorists' next target could be any other premier institution. An attack on it will hurt the Indian psyche. Is it not time a seemingly draconian but effective law like the POTA was brought back? With Parliament busy sorting out corruption among its own members and having no time for legislative activity, the government can think in terms of on ordinance.

Col. (retd.) C.V. Venugopalan,
Palakkad, Kerala

* * *

India's intellectual and economic sovereignty is under threat not from trade or academic barriers, but from brute force. By attacking soft targets, the jihadis have proved that we can never be too prepared. While the governments should take swift action to prevent such attacks in future, student bodies and teachers too must audit their cadres periodically to weed out undesirable elements.

V. Phaneendra,
Hyderabad

* * *

Religious leaders can play a more active role in the fight against terror. They should appeal to the followers of their religion to turn inward, instead of killing people.

Singanallur Kalyanasundaram,
Coimbatore

* * *

A major share of credit for our progress in science and technology, including the IT revolution, goes to the quality learning and research work in the IISc and the IITs. For scholarship and research to progress, a free environment is a prerequisite. Alas, the dastardly attack will have an adverse impact on the liberal atmosphere. Wednesday's act of terror on the sacrosanct seat of learning must evoke the strongest condemnation.

Air Cmde (retd.) Raghubir Singh,
Pune

* * *

The incident shows that terrorism has spread its tentacles across the country. It is time the government spruced up the intelligence network to clip the wings of terrorism.

S. Nathan,
Sriharikota, A.P.

* * *

Yesterday it was Bangalore, today it may be Hyderabad and tomorrow Chennai. Slowly but surely, like Pakistan, all cities in India are becoming unsafe.

K. Pradeep,
Chennai

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