Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Rude shock

The LTTE's air strike on the military base of the Sri Lankan Air Force comes as a rude shock. Any tool in the hands of a terrorist outfit is a weapon of destruction. One can only imagine the implications of the Tigers possessing aircraft with the capability to bomb chosen targets. The Sri Lankan government should act fast. Terrorism being the common global enemy, the international community should help Colombo to fight this danger.

R.M. Manoharan,
Chennai

The LTTE's newfound air power should be destroyed before it can inflict any further damage on the civilised world. New Delhi must ban all political parties that support the LTTE's cause in India. All possible help should be extended to Sri Lanka to overcome the latest threat. A concerted effort by the international community can surely crush this terrorist outfit.

Krishna Kumar,
Ahmedabad

The bombing of the SLAF base is a grave threat to Sri Lanka, India, and other South Asian countries. Despite reports of the existence of an LTTE airbase in the Vanni jungles, and training of its cadres as pilots by mercenaries in a foreign country, what prevented the Rajapaksa Government from carrying out an effective strike to destroy the airbase? It is squarely to blame for the serious security lapse. India cannot remain a mute spectator to this grave situation. For light aircraft that can travel a few hundred km at a stretch to accomplish their mission, Indian targets will be a cakewalk.

Capt. T. Raju,
Secunderabad

The air strike is an ominous portend. Tamil Nadu in particular is at grave risk. It is the duty of the Centre and the State government to move away from vote-bank politics. All LTTE sympathisers and supporters should be charged with treason and appropriate action taken. Security along the coast should be strengthened to prevent the terrorists from getting their supplies and crossing over to India in the guise of refugees. Tamil Nadu should not be allowed to become another Kashmir.

Arvind Vummidi,
Chennai

The LTTE, after taking the SLAF by surprise, seems to have been emboldened to release photographs of the crew with V. Prabakaran. The time for negotiating with Prabakaran is long over. India must now take the lead in pushing for an all-out retaliation, if only to ensure that what happened near Colombo is not repeated here.

A. Megha,
Hyderabad

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