Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Stringent law

The menace of terrorism has been increasing over the years. The world seems to have got used to it, with even the mightiest nation becoming a victim. The law in our country is inadequate to deal with terrorism effectively. It is full of loopholes, which make it easy for the culprits to escape. I agree with BJP leader L.K. Advani that we should bring back POTA.

V. Venkitasubramanian,

Kochi

Devoid of strict laws and effective intelligence, the nation has, from time to time, been witness to ruthless acts of terror. Each life lost is a surrender of freedom and pride of our country to the cowardly beasts of prey. Terrorists have now become smug and feel they can escape from the law. The authorities can appeal for calm only when they succeed in reassuring us — by nabbing the culprits and destroying the sleeper cells in every neighbourhood. The ‘Indianisation’ of terrorism might well be a plan hatched by foreign terrorist groups to divert us.

Abhijith Unnikrishnan,

Thiruvananthapuram

Draconian measures will not help to solve the problem of terrorism. The threat of punishment, while helping to reduce crime, will invite more violence motivated by a sense of revenge, sometimes misplaced. Use of unorthodox ways of gathering intelligence could bring in results. The British intelligence was known to plant agents posing as even beggars to collect information. Detection could no doubt be long and arduous, but it is vital for the preservation of civil society.

Jaiboy Joseph,

Chennai

It is ironical that a government that is willing to stake its survival on getting a nuclear deal with the U.S. passed has done little to implement the Model Police Act, aimed at strengthening security, submitted in 2006. Replacing the provisions of the archaic Police Act of 1861 with a modern scientific approach will go a long way in detecting and preventing terrorist attacks.

C.P. Anandasubramanian,

Pune

The mind without fear, which Tagore referred to, remains a dream. The country is in the clutches of fear even while it is set to celebrate another Independence day. While we were busy with the trust vote, the terrorists tightened their hold on our country.

Shibin Joseph,

Kozhikode

After every terror attack, the same rituals are performed by the media, politicians, and the government of the day. They condemn the attacks on innocent lives, demand action against terrorists, point a finger at a neighbouring country and the Opposition demands that POTA be brought back and Afzul Guru be hanged. Is anyone serious about combating terror? I don’t think terrorism can be addressed by investing in police intelligence and investigative capabilities.

That no action has been taken against those responsible for the Gujarat riots, the Delhi anti-Sikh riots, and Babri mosque demolition shows that the culprits are more powerful than the rule of law. And when people don’t get justice from the government, they become vulnerable to those who exploit their sentiments and seek to create trouble by dividing society. The solution to terrorism is enforcement of the rule of law in letter and in spirit. This will restore the people’s faith in the government and law-enforcement agencies. It will be the first step in the right direction.

Rakesh Vats,

Beijing

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