The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Anti-terror laws

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Anti-terror laws

This refers to the cartoon (Dec. 22), which depicts the recently passed amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act as a carbon copy of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The Opposition, particularly the BJP, has been asking the government to bring back POTA or enact a new anti-terror law for five years in vain.

The Mumbai terror attacks have served as a wake-up call and the government has, at last, passed the UAPA. It is for the first time that the ruling party and the Opposition have seen eye to eye on the issue of terrorism. Terming the UAPA dangerous and draconian is unacceptable.

Amaresan Pattusamy,

Tiruvannamalai

* * *

The country needs a tough law to tackle the situation created by the spread of terrorism. In dealing with terrorists, no law can be termed draconian, especially when safeguards are built into it against its possible misuse.

C.V. Subbaraman,

Ahmedabad

* * *

Amendments are not the need of the hour because the laws we have are tough enough. What we need to do is to implement police reforms and pass the Model Police Act 2006 drafted by the Soli Sorabjee Committee. We need to phase out the Police Act of 1861 and strengthen the police forces.

Pavneet Singh Jaggi,

New Delhi

* * *

At least for 25 years, our leaders have failed to counter the ISI and liquidate the anti-Indian organisations established across India by Pakistan. These outfits have perpetrated terror in India only because of our leadership’s failure. After mismanaging the country and bringing it down to a near-zero level, we cannot expect hastily worked out patchworks to restore the country in a quick time.

Lt. Col. Tikka MHS Bedi,

Jabalpur

* * *

It has become fashionable to talk about 26/11 as our 9/11. There have been no terror attacks in the U.S. after 9/11. But at what cost has the U.S. achieved security? It got involved in two wars which, besides claiming lives, have led to major resentment among Muslims across the world. In fact, one wonders whether the terrorists have accomplished their goal by inflicting enormous costs on the U.S.

S. Sudha,

Coimbatore

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News Update

Stories in this Section

Gloomier by the day

Land for public purpose

For secessionists, humiliation follows hubris

India Rising and the hunger index

Everybody loves a good conspiracy

Recession triggers ‘lipstick effect’

Corrections and clarifications