Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Act of cowardice

The firebombing of the Samjhauta Express, which claimed 67 lives, is an act of cowardice that warrants condemnation in the harshest terms. Leaders of both India and Pakistan have done well, exercising restraint and not resorting to a blame game. It is important to send a strong message to the perpetrators that the peace process cannot be derailed by such barbaric acts. While one can understand that it is difficult for the Railways to screen all the passengers, it needs to find a solution in view of the increasing spate of train bombings.

Siddarth K. Raj,
New Delhi

The terrorists' intention to derail the peace process should be rebuffed. The bombing should sound the alarm bell to the Pakistani establishment about the dangers of encouraging terrorism. As for India, it should investigate the security lapses.

Anjan Kumar,
Chennai

Innocent Pakistani civilians have lost their lives to terrorism on Indian soil. The cowardly terrorist has proved yet again that he has no concern for fellow human beings. The havoc unleashed by such mindless people can be countered only by a concerted effort by both nations.

V.J. Lawrence,
Bangalore

For most Pakistanis, the bombing should be a disturbing indication of the lengths to which Islamist fanatics can go — they can kill even co-religionists, including children. Samjhauta represents a civilisational investment by the whole sub-continent in this age of globalisation. Thousands in both countries are determined to meet the people on the other side of the border and in doing so they do not put aside their ancestral faiths but only the bitter burden of Partition. While political leaders must take forward the maturing but still vulnerable peace process, civil society in both the countries should reject communal ideologies and the blame games of the past.

Vasantha Surya,
Chennai

The Samjhauta Express blast is an eye-opener of sorts. It has proved that terrorism knows no boundaries. Whether in India or Pakistan, what terrorists want is a terror-stricken populace not knowing whom to blame or where to go. We should take comfort from the fact that both countries have shown remarkable restraint in handling the situation.

Jeyshree Jayaraman,
Coimbatore

The blasts are indeed tragic, as they have come at a time when India and Pakistan are making considerable progress towards settling the disputes raging from 1947. The reaction of the governments and the people of both countries shows that they have begun to understand that their strength lies in standing united. Let us resolve to appreciate our common heritage for a stronger South Asia instead of wasting our time on rhetoric.

P.V.D. Paul,
Chennai

It is heartening to note that the leaders have not indulged in a blame game. Both countries are serious about continuing their war against terrorism. I think this attitude will deal a blow to the terrorists' designs.

Manohar Ravi Narayana,
Visakhapatnam

The enemies of peace and humanity have once again demonstrated what they can do if they are not reined in. One wonders how many more lives will be lost before the Government acts firmly against terrorism.

Prabhakar Kandpal,
New Delhi

It is perhaps the first time that citizens of both India and Pakistan have fallen victim to terrorism. This fact should not be lost on New Delhi and Islamabad. Cleary the time has come for both to speed up their cooperation on the joint anti-terror mechanism.

Pakistan finds itself in an unenviable position, having to take on the elements that it once trained and supported and perhaps still does. The blasts on the Samjhauta Express serve as a grim reminder that terrorists will stop at nothing to sabotage the peace process.

Navin Muralidharan,
Chennai

When innocent people are killed in frequent terrorist strikes, it is not enough to merely express grief and announce monetary compensation to the bereaved. India and Pakistan, besides going ahead with the peace process, should evolve a joint strategy to flush out the terrorists from their hideouts.

Lvb. Selvaraj,
Chennai

We should approach terrorism in a more realistic manner. We can no longer pretend that nothing is wrong from within and everything is fomented from across the border. In our own backyard, the Coast Guard seized deadly weapons in Tamil Nadu, naxalism is on the rise, right-wing politics is increasing at an alarming rate and so on. Merely pointing fingers at terrorist training camps and the ISI will not solve our day-to-day problems.

K.A. Mohamed Anis,
Chennai

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