Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Shocking violence

The massacre of more than 60 Hindi-speaking migrant labourers in upper Assam by ULFA is shocking. Any ideology that swears by violent means to achieve its end is unacceptable to the civilised world, particularly a democratic set-up. The gruesome incidents are a grim pointer to how things can spin out of control if narrow and parochial sentiments coupled with unemployment among the youth are left unchecked.

B. Suresh Kumar,
Coimbatore

* * *

The killings are an act of cowardice. With migrant workers deserting Assam for fear of more attacks, the State's economy has been driven to the brink. ULFA's act is an open attack on the integrity of the country. Steps must be taken by the Government to prevent such killings and punish those responsible for the violence.

Ashok Shah,
Bangalore

* * *

Time and again, the Government fails to anticipate terrorist strikes. It is the innocent people who have paid with their lives for the directionless policies of successive governments. The state should make the right choice between talks and troops in tackling terrorist outfits that pass off as insurgent groups.

Sambi Reddy Endreddy,
Hyderabad

* * *

It is dangerous to let ULFA get away with terrorising the Hindi-speaking people who have migrated to Assam for work. It is a terrorist outfit having links with external forces that have a vested interest in destabilising India. The Centre should use all the resources at its command to eliminate the threat.

R.K. Kutty,
Bhopal

* * *

The dastardly killings reinforce the fact that it is pointless to talk peace with a terrorist outfit. Time and again, ULFA has used ceasefires and peace talks to regroup and launch offensive attacks against the Indian state. The killings in Upper Assam are part of an insidious plan to create a rift between local people and outsiders.

Abhishek Mishra,
New Delhi

* * *

India's sovereignty is non-negotiable. ULFA's insistence on an independent Assam only reveals its disinterest in sincere dialogue. The Government can no longer remain complacent in discharging its primary duty of protecting its citizens. It should act firmly and initiate tough anti-insurgency operations.

Naveen Marrapu,
Hyderabad

* * *

The Government has not succeeded in putting pressure on Bangladesh to stop aiding and sheltering ULFA leaders. The time has come for the Centre to take stringent steps to curb terrorism in Assam and establish the rule of law.

Atul Narayan Mishra,
Varanasi

* * *

People migrate to other States for livelihood. But such migration is increasingly becoming as issue in many States. We allow foreigners to settle in our country but the people of neighbouring States cannot get along. One wonders whether India is indeed one country.

K.V.L. Shanta,
Singapore

* * *

The Government must deal with the ULFA cadres firmly. At the same time, it should use the diplomatic channel to get them evicted from neighbouring countries.

M.M. Gurbaxani,
Bangalore

* * *

Both the Centre and the State Government should share the blame for ULFA's massacre of migrant workers. Every security agency has averred that ULFA has used the lull in security operations to regroup. Those who allowed it have blood on their hands.

S.A. Jayatheertha,
Hyderabad

* * *

In the past too, ULFA has targeted outsiders especially in Upper Assam. Tarun Gogoi, who belongs to the region, should have anticipated the attacks and initiated moves if not to prevent, at least to respond speedily. As Napoleon said: "To be defeated is pardonable, to be surprised — never! ..."

A.T. Thiruvengadam,
Chennai

* * *

If such divisive elements are not put down with a strong hand, their actions will help our enemies who want to destabilise the country. The reasons for such violence are not far to seek.

In spite of the overall progress in many spheres, the gap between the rich and poor is widening. The youth find it difficult to get jobs. It is very easy to excite them to adopt violence to achieve their aim.

B.R. Gupta,
Tiruchengode

* * *

The Congress governments in the State and the Centre have turned a blind eye to the problem of illegal immigration from Bangladesh, solely for strengthening their vote banks. The protests of the Assamese over decades against such violation of their land have fallen on deaf ears. Their repeated request to implement 1971 as the cut off period to determine citizenship has not been heeded. For a decade-and-a-half, the Centre has adopted the strategy of wearing out the Assamese by repeated rounds of negotiations. The anger of the extreme elements in Assam has turned against anyone who is not perceived as a native of the land.

B.N. Gururaj,
Bangalore

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

The ULFA challenge
A monument to injustice
Bringing to book the guilty men of Baghdad
Singur to Nandigram and beyond
Different strokes of the coup masters
Global warming and the Indian monsoon
Many more will die
Corrections and Clarifications
Shocking violence
Disturbing

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu