Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

The Noida killings

This refers to the editorial "Noida's sordid serial killings" (Jan. 2). The discovery of skeletal remains and skulls of 15 children in Noida is a shame on the entire nation and particularly Uttar Pradesh, which is known as the cradle of Indo-Gangetic civilisation. It is appalling that even after 30 children were reported missing over two years from Nithari village near the Sector 31 house where the skeletal remains were found, the police remained indifferent to what was happening. The Government's announcement of monetary compensation to the bereaved families adds insult to injury. The tragedy ranks among the most inhuman atrocities in history.

K.P. Luke Vydhian,
Bangalore

* * *

The fact that the police did not act on the complaints is nothing new. The State Government's response to the tragedy is along predictable lines. As pointed out in the editorial, it was perhaps because the children were economically under-privileged that the abductions went un-noticed.

Awareness about child abuse is poor in India. It is important to educate the masses on the existence of people like Mohinder Singh Pandher and Surendra Kohli. The media should consistently report the developments in the case. A nationwide alert on missing children (like the Amber Alert in the U.S.) should be put in place. And no leniency should be shown to the guilty.

Babu Srinivasan,
Eagan, Minnesota

* * *

It is really shocking that the police did not take action on the complaints. The Uttar Pradesh Government's action of suspending two policemen is a case of too little, too late. Since the State administration has lost its credibility, a CBI inquiry should be ordered into the killings.

Harish Betha,
Mangalore

* * *

The blame for the killings should be squarely placed at the door of the policemen who turned a deaf ear to the pleas of parents. The gruesome killings prove the extent of lawlessness in Uttar Pradesh.

M.K. Vipin Nambiar,
Bangalore

* * *

Care should be taken to ensure that the offenders do not exploit the parents' poverty and get away. That the police could remain insensitive to such a serious issue is shocking.

M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan

* * *

The police who just would not act on complaints of missing children were quick to put down those protesting the killings. By the way, where are the champions of human rights? Do they feel the residents of Nithari do not deserve their consideration?

R. Vasudev,
Bangalore

* * *

At least now the police should resolve to pursue every complaint regarding missing children to its logical end. While the state has found many ways to uplift the weaker sections educationally and economically, it is found terribly wanting in ensuring the dispensation of criminal justice to the socially and economically backward segments. It is time the issue was addressed in right earnest.

Seshagiri Row Karry,
Hyderabad

* * *

The killing of so many children in a residential locality remained undetected by the police for two years in spite of complaints of missing children from parents. This reflects a serious lapse on the part of the police. Thousands of crimes are left unsolved for lack of vigorous investigation. Officers responsible for such indifference should be dealt with severely.

Joy Eapen,
Vennikulam, Kerala

* * *

The serial killings raise serious questions about the police's efficiency. The National Commission for Women summoned a senior police officer in August 2005 to explain the failure of the police to make headway in a case where nine girls went missing from Nithari. Even that does not seem to have shaken the police out of lethargy. Had the authorities taken corrective steps then, many children would perhaps have been alive today.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Srirangam

* * *

The police did not bother to investigate the case even after the NCW took it up. The Commission brought the laxity of the police to the notice of the Uttar Pradesh Government but to no avail. The Government cannot appease the people by suspending a few policemen. The rot in the police administration is much deeper. The Government should hand the cases over to the CBI. It should also constitute a high level committee to probe the callousness of the police.

V.V. Raghava Rao,
Guntur

* * *

The horror reinforces the lack of pro-people governance. Our system has always been insensitive to the cry of despair of the underprivileged.

M.J. Ruben,
Chennai

* * *

The tragedy could have been minimised if the police had swung into action when parents reported that their children were missing. It also speaks to the official bias against the socially and economically underprivileged.

Prabha Muthukrishnan,
Bangalore

* * *

No doubt, police inaction is largely to blame for the killings. But why did the people of Noida and NGOs who are raising a hue and cry now not take up the matter earlier? They knew that nearly 30 children went missing from Nithari in the last two years. What purpose can hurling stones and damaging property serve now?

C. Gopal,
Bangalore

* * *

True, the law-enforcement authorities were lax and allowed things to deteriorate. But citizens too should play a pro-active role in ensuring a crime free society. Our lifestyles have undergone a massive change. Most of us do not even greet our neighbours. We live in thickly populated cities but remain isolated. Good neighbourly relations will certainly ensure a safer society.

Rettavayal S. Krishnaswamy,
Chennai

* * *

The editorial is right in saying that the Noida killings are a reminder of how weighted the criminal justice system is against the underprivileged. The killings reflect a change in our value system. The break-up of joint families, increase in the number of broken families, violence, and too much of materialism have killed the humaneness in us.

Singanallur Sundaram,
Hyderabad

* * *

Timely action by both the police and people could have saved many innocent lives. While the police should act immediately on complaints, the people too should be vigilant.

Nagesh Belapure,
Secunderabad

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