Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Metro terrorism

This refers to the editorial “Metro terrorism” (July 28). India has been under the threat of terrorism for long. Although it has paid a heavy price, it does not seem to have learnt much.

After every terrorist attack, the government says it has evolved a plan to deal with the challenge. It announces compensation for the victims’ families and the matter ends there. It is pathetic to note that not a single State has intelligence database or forensic capabilities of international standards. At least now the government should evolve a concrete plan to tackle and prevent acts of terror.

J. Churchill,

Chennai

The editorial is absolutely right in saying that “cities, as any security professional knows, cannot be turned into fortresses.” Physical measures to enhance security make the life of the common man more difficult rather than serving their intended purpose.

The emphasis, therefore, should be on modernising and enhancing intelligence and investigative capabilities. At the same time, meaningful research should be carried out on the psychological and other factors that are at the root of terrorism.

B.K.S. Nair,

Thiruvananthapuram

The recurrence of serial bomb blasts in India’s premier cities and the government’s reactions to them do little to inspire confidence among the people. All our cities and towns are vulnerable to terror strikes. The UPA government has failed on the security front. The government’s intentions to tackle the issue, spelt out every time such incidents occur, are not matched by strategy. Although security is toned up immediately after a terror strike, nothing is done to ensure that heightened vigil is maintained at all times.

The government should overhaul the security infrastructure and formulate a long-term strategy to take on the challenge.

P. Prasand Thampy,

Thiruvalla

The government’s response to every terrorist attack is skewed. The people are fed up with routine expressions of sympathy and want concrete action on the ground. Has any attempt been made to study what makes some of our youth go astray?

Has any research been done on the way terrorists operate, on the basis of what arrested terrorists have told the police? Has the government considered bringing in a scheme of national identity card for every citizen? Has it done anything to improve the police-people ratio? Praising people’s patience after every terror attack is not enough. What we see is not people’s resilience but their helplessness in the face of continuing terror attacks.

Manish Manglani,

New Delhi

If the government wants to find a solution to terrorism by conducting some investigations and announcing monetary compensation to victims, the younger generation will soon start considering serial bomb blasts a natural calamity.

Akifuddin,

Bangalore

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