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Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Attack on convoy

It is distressing that some disgruntled activists of the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam attacked an army convoy near Coimbatore presuming that the vehicles were transporting weapons for the Sri Lankan army to fight the LTTE. Clearly, they know nothing about what is happening in Sri Lanka and blindly trust the politicians and film personalities of Tamil Nadu. The armymen who exercised restraint deserve praise.

S. Raghothaman,

Chennai

The attack was unfortunate. On average, at least one army man dies every day fighting insurgency and terrorism. On the one hand, we condemn terrorism and, on the other, some vested interests support the LTTE and target our armymen for petty political gains. Those who face terrorists every day behaved like responsible citizens when they came under attack from their own countrymen. When will our politicians learn?

G. Vimalarani,

Thiruvananthapuram

Swift and decisive action should be taken against all those responsible for the attack. They should be tried for waging war against the state. Any soft-pedalling will encourage more such attacks and undermine the state.

D.M. Mohunta,

Chennai

How can anyone dare attack our army vehicles within our own country? Pro-LTTE groups are becoming uncontrollable by the day. It is time the government cracked down on them.

The Centre is extending all possible humanitarian assistance to Sri Lankan Tamils. We should understand the limit to which we can get involved in the problem faced by a neighbouring country.

M. Muthu,

Coimbatore

Saturday’s incident demonstrates the influence of the pro-LTTE elements on Tamil Nadu politics.

What does India stand to gain by interfering in the internal affairs of a neighbour? Ever since independence, Tamil Nadu has been an intense field of regionalism which is unfortunate.

Muhammed Midlaj,

Idukki

The PDK activists seem to have played a hoax on the people with wilful intent to create a panic situation. In the name of democracy, no one can be allowed to cross the limits.

M. Xavier,

Eruvadi

The attack on the army convoy by the PDK activists, in the name of supporting the Sri Lankan Tamils, is a shame on the nation. The Tamils issue is driving the political parties, big and small, in Tamil Nadu to resort to any means to garner votes.

P. Guru Prasad,

Chennai

Army vehicles have always been seen by Indians as a symbol of national security. An attack on them is nothing short of an attack on the Army itself. On the institution that does everything possible to keep the very people who attacked it safe and secure.

The despicable act is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Those involved, including the leaders of the parties, should be made to compensate for the losses.

Roy D’Silva,

Bangalore

The Army personnel were at the receiving end and exercised maximum restraint though they were in military fatigues and in possession of weapons. The local police, civilians and mediapersons were mute spectators. It is unfortunate that even our own jawans are at the mercy of politicians.

D. Kondasamy,

Coimbatore

Is not the incident reflective of a decaying system? Political parties do not want anti-social elements to be fired upon, even in the face of grave provocation such as burning and looting public property. That perhaps explains why the Army personnel did not retaliate.

G. Swamy Keshav,

Bangalore

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