M A I L B A G

Pak hand in Mumbai bomb blasts

After Jammu and Kashmir, Mumbai has become the single most bomb blast targeted region. The reasons are not difficult to fathom. A soft and attractive target (a commercial hub, a place with crowded landmarks, one prone to communal clashes), one where masterminds and executors can function in sync, helped by money and networking.

However, one should not read too much about the underworld’s involvement in the instant violence. The modus operandi of the underworld involves people-specific targets, generally preceded by threats and warnings. The motivation stems from non-payment of “supari”, non-observance of promises and agreement clauses related to builder, film and business lobbies and traffickers both domestic and international. Such attacks are mafia driven.

Though a complex challenge, we are not totally helpless. Simi and LeT, being the prime suspects in the latest blasts, their ring leaders must be put under the investigative scanner. Meanwhile, it will greatly undermine the national morale and resolve if we panic, or if political parties are allowed to use these attacks to whip up communal passions. After all, we would then be acting the script written by our enemies.

Pakistan’s condemnation is not even crocodile tears. It is a deceptive ploy to mislead international public opinion. It has done precious little to hand over to India the terror masterminds.

V.B.N. RAM, New Delhi

II

Since Monday’s bomb blasts in Mumbai could not have occurred without a green signal from those who control Pakistan’s proxy war and Dawood Ibrahim’s minions, it puts a huge question mark on Islamabad’s repeated articulation of its desire for peace with India. Clearly, the ruling dispensation in Pakistan is alarmed as much by the desire of the common people of its country for peace with India, as the changed mood in Kashmir where the healing-touch approach of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s government is beginning to have an impact.

Whatever Pakistan’s motive, Monday’s blasts provide another vindication of India’s decision not to hold talks with it until it takes convincing steps to end cross-border terrorism. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Government must do better than it has so far in curbing terrorism. While individual terrorist strikes are difficult to prevent, the fact that blasts have occurred in Mumbai since December last year, shows that there is something seriously amiss in its counter-terrorism set-up.

SUSHIL GIRDHER, Sirsa

III

Mumbai bomb blasts are continuation of terrorism which has been especially unleashed on our country besides Israel and Russia for a long time. The terrorism appears to have familiar contours — official sponsorship possibly from across the borders and execution by highly indoctrinated people with the underground overlap.

The best course should be to exercise yet more vigilance, maintaining communal harmony and unequivocal condemnation of the cowardly acts by all religious, community and political leaders. In addition, all affected countries must have a joint action plan to defeat such evil acts.

RAGHUBIR SINGH, Pune

IV

I can’t find a place in our country which is safe. If a person goes on a journey by train there is a risk if he would return safe and sound. If he goes by plane it is his good luck if the plane does not crash or is not hijacked. If he drinks cold drink, it is not good for his health. Neither is the icecream.

The fear of communal riots often haunts the innocent minds. There is terror in every part of the country. The government should take serious steps to avoid all these mishaps. We should understand that the children who are the future citizens are also watching all this. What a bad psychological effect they have when they see bodies lying on roads with blood all around. A man killing the other with a sword just because he belongs to a different religion when the children are taught in the school to respect every religion. They will think the value system, the religious scriptures, books on humanism etc have absolutely no value.

URJA KUMAR, Yamunanagar

Are soft drinks safe?

Are soft drinks safe for the public? Clearly, they are anything but soft. Dr Clive Mccay of Cornell University has said that soft drinks can erode tooth enamel completely because of the presence of phosphoric acid. Besides, soft drinks contain various other acids like melic acid, carbonic acid and erythorbic acid, as pointed out by Dr Henry Diamond in his famous book “Fit for Life” (which has sold over one crore copies worldwide).

The Joint Parliamentary Committee probe should look into the possibility of examining the recommendations for laying down health standards and the printing of the contents on every soft drink to ensure complete transparency about the ingredients for the benefit of the consumers.

R. N. LAKHOTIA, New Delhi

Labour court’s plight

I wish to bring to the attention of the Punjab Government the plight of Patiala’s Labour Court. It has jurisdiction over four districts — Patiala, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Sangrur for adjudication of industrial disputes. After the previous Presiding Officer was promoted and relieved on December 9, 2002, his successor was appointed by the High Court on June 20, 2003, after a delay of more than six months.

The dilapidated condition of the building of this court foretells the similar situation of the staff. There is no steno. The post of a peon has been lying vacant. Funds to defray electricity and telephone expenses have not been released. Whenever it rains, the court is surrounded by large puddles. Very often, water enters the court room. Despite repeated requests from the President Officer, lawyers and representatives, little has been done to improve the position.

I appeal to the Chief Minister, who also represents this city in the State Assembly, to look into the matter and improve the condition of the Labour Court.

ANIL SOOD, Patiala