Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Security failure

It is unfortunate that India has become vulnerable to frequent terror attacks. Incidents such as the firebombing of the Samjhauta Express on Sunday expose the Government's failure to provide safety to the people. While it is true that in a huge country like India it is very difficult to monitor and frisk everyone, it is important to do so if security is to be ensured.

Nobody on board the Samjhauta Express would have suspected that some of their fellow passengers had plans to set off bombs. The utmost vigilance alone can foil such designs. Security should be strengthened at all railway stations. Investing in it will go a long way in saving precious human lives.

P. Vijayasaradhi,
Mangalagiri, A.P.

Those responsible for the carnage are misanthropes — haters of humankind. But the ease with which they perpetrated the horrendous act on unsuspecting passengers makes one wonder how safe those who travel by trains are. The railway police seem to be ill-equipped and short staffed to implement even rudimentary safety protocols that can go a long way in preventing such major tragedies.

The firebombing is clearly another disruptive attempt by elements opposed to the peace process. The process should be pursued with greater vigour and urgency.

Shahabuddin Nadeem,
Bangalore

Such disasters point to the careless and frivolous attitude of security personnel and the railway authorities. The Samjhauta tragedy should be dealt with seriously. It is time the countries initiated joint efforts to combat terrorism.

Prachee Kukreja,
Bhopal

The heart-rending tragedy is a blot on railway security. Why didn't the police step up security on the eve of the Pakistan Foreign Minister's visit? It has become routine to make some lower level officials scapegoats in such tragedies. Why do the people at the helm of affairs not own moral responsibility for such failures and resign?

K. Gopal Reddy,
Anantapur

While the allegation that the perpetrators of terrorist acts get Pakistan's support may not be unfounded, let us accept that the Samjhauta Express bombing became possible because of our intelligence failure and slack security. It is not enough to step up security on the eve of August 15, January 26, and December 6. All sensitive places, monuments, institutions, and public transport have to be under constant vigil all the time. That there is no baggage screening equipment at a station where an international train originates is ridiculous.

V. Hari Haran,

Chennai
Reaction to blast

While gently reminding India that it is responsible for apprehending the perpetrators, Pakistan has condemned the attacks just as India has. This shows that it is past the stage of trading charges with India. Even though the peace process is an onerous task, it is well worth it. Let the mutual trust prevail.

G.T. Nikhil,
Thiruvananthapuram

The two countries should keep all other issues aside and concentrate only on eliminating terrorism. If they make a sincere and honest attempt, it can surely be done.

K. Sivasubramanian,
Thiruvananthapuram

The tragedy has thrown up a challenge for India and Pakistan, especially in the area of counter-terrorism. Undoubtedly, the attack was targeted at the peace process. The restrained reaction of both the countries is encouraging. Inhuman acts should not be allowed to hold the peace initiative hostage.

B.K. Jithesh,
Nileshwar, Kerala

The bombing was aimed at touching a raw nerve in India-Pakistan relations. But the measured reactions from both sides of the border have rendered this design futile. The tragedy has, in fact, strengthened the resolve of the nations to speed up the peace talks.

Ashish Kumar Jha,
Varanasi

It is now clear that the war is not between India and Pakistan; it is between the peace-loving people of both the countries and terrorists. This is the best opportunity for both the countries to unite to expose the terrorists.

T. Tarun,
Tiruchi

The Partition of India was the brainchild of a few politicians and not the wish of the common people. Because of the political designs of a few, the poor folk on either side stand divided.

The Samjhauta Express helps these people trace their roots and keep their links intact. As pointed out in the editorial "Peace and the burning train" (Feb. 20), it has been a lifeline for people-to-people contact. It is extremely unfortunate that it should have been bombed with innocent people who are in no way concerned with the political decisions falling victims yet again.

Thadigiri Potha Raju,
Karimnagar, A.P.

Rein them in

The article "Keep the peace process on track" (Feb. 20) rightly points out that terrorism is sustained on Pakistani soil. Pervez Musharraf seems to be a puppet in the hands of the terrorists. The alibi that the terrorist organisations do not operate under Islamabad's shadow must be rejected outright. These organisations breed in Pakistan. If Gen. Musharraf is serious about normalising ties with India, he must rein them in. How much longer can we stand with open arms only to be stabbed in the back?

Areeb A.K. Sherwani,
Aligarh

Terrorism is a double-edged weapon. Unless Pakistan closes down the terrorist training camps on its soil and cooperates with India in combating terrorism, the killing of innocent civilians cannot be stopped.

R.S. Shanmuganathan,
Sriharikota

As long as our judicial system is slow, such attacks will continue to take place. We sit on mercy petitions, and we talk of moon and space when our fellow citizens are butchered in our own backyard.

Suresh Shanmukam,
Thiruvalla

Female foeticide

This refers to the report "Step to check female foeticide" (Feb.19). That one crore female foetuses have been aborted in two decades calls for some serious action from the government and other agencies. Rather than providing a cradle in every district to abandon girl children, the government should educate the people about the value of a girl child. This will help to balance the sex ratio in the long run.

B. Jayaprakash Narayanan,
Chennai

Female foeticide is a shocking practice that has grown in the last few decades. Although the media and the government have made attempts to highlight the negative impact of pre-natal sex identification and selective abortion, the practice continues as reflected in the declining sex ratio. Minister Renuka Chowdhury's proposed scheme of cradles in every district is hardly a viable solution. Only monetary incentives and social benefits will make a girl child an asset to the family. A foster home or an orphanage is not an ideal place for a baby to grow in. As an obstetrician, I would like to see the frown turn to happiness when the birth of a girl child is announced on the labour table.

Mythili Krishnamurthy,
Tiruchi

The Palna scheme seems excellent in its intention. All I hope and pray is that it is carried through properly. Also, I would like reputable NGOs to be consulted and taken along as partners. I also suggest that adoption procedures be made more friendly and easy for needy couples so that the children get a home as soon as possible instead of being saddled with the orphan tag for too long.

Bharatram Gaba,
Mumbai

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