The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Terror strikes

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Monday, Nov 26, 2007
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Terror strikes

It is a matter of great anguish and deep concern that there is no let-up in violence unleashed by terrorist groups. The dastardly killing of 13 persons in the court premises of Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi is a sign of cowardice. Triggering violence is aimed at creating panic and fomenting communal disharmony.

Harbouring and financing terror outfits should be viewed seriously. The problems of social injustice, poverty, unemployment, and religious discrimination should be addressed and eradicated to root out terrorism.

K. Ramachandran,

Madurai

* * *

What is baffling is the intelligence failure in spite of repeated terrorist strikes in quick succession. The terror outfits could even send emails to television stations with impunity minutes after the blasts justifying their action.

The police find themselves in a pathetic state as they start rounding up people randomly for interrogation. They swing into action only after a strike takes place and start searching vehicles and frisking people even in distant States. The enemy eludes them each time using better and more modern techniques.

R. Ramachandra Rao,

Hyderabad

* * *

The serial blasts were well planned and clearly aimed at creating panic among the people. The manner in which the terrorists select their targets shows how easy it is for them to strike at will. Whether it is in temples or courts, their ultimate aim is to kill innocent people. It is time we installed CCTVs in places where people gather in large numbers.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai,

Vazhavallan

* * *

The blasts expose the official apathy towards ordinary people. It is becoming increasingly clear that the terrorists are well organised and have woven their web all over the world. The government should take effective steps to combat terrorism. At the same time, it should not hold anyone responsible for the blasts before the investigation is complete.

Darul Huda,

Malappuram

* * *

The Indian Mujahideen has allegedly claimed that the blasts were carried out because the Uttar Pradesh police arrested “two innocent groups” after which the lawyers beat up the people belonging to those groups. Their so-called retaliation is hardly proportionate to what they allege was done to their ‘friends.’ Did the lawyers’ action warrant the killing of innocent people?

Shiv Shankar Das,

New Delhi

* * *

Choreographed bomb blasts, like Indian festivals, have become common. Terrorists have a free run because of our lopsided intelligence and policing apparatus which serve our leaders more than the common man.

We should fundamentally change the nature of investigations. The police chief should be answerable only to the judiciary, not to a politician. Policemen must be respected and treated as officers with higher salaries, promotion and career opportunities. What we are witnessing today is the bleeding of India to death by its own inactive leadership.

C.P. Anandasubramanian,

Chennai

* * *

No place in India is insulated from terrorist attacks. The government does not seem to be well equipped to frustrate the terrorists’ attempts to foment trouble. It is ironical that we forget such gruesome incidents soon and engage in gathering statistics to buttress the argument against capital punishment.

R. Radhakrishnan,

Chennai

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