M A I L B A G

Stand united to tackle terrorism

THE editorial “The day after” (July 7) rightly advised the political parties to stand united to face terrorism. It’s not the issue on which one should ask Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil or Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav to resign in the wake of the attack on Ayodhya. India faced similar attacks on Parliament, J&K Assembly, Akshardham and Raghunath temples. We faced them all unitedly.

Terrorism is, in fact, a worldwide phenomenon as the London blasts prove. Following 9/11, several liberal democracies of the West framed new laws to deal with terrorism. There are numerous UN resolutions calling member states to ensure an adequate legal framework to tackle terrorism. There is no second opinion about it. We need special laws like POTA to deal with special crimes like terrorism.

S.S. JAIN, Chandigarh

II

Symbols of power and faith are favoured targets for the terrorists all over the world. In Ayodhya, though the terrorists came dangerously close, the security forces deserve the credit for foiling the attack. The government acted swiftly in handling the sensitive situation. Crucial questions, however, remain unanswered.

Terrorists with suicidal zeal pose the biggest threat to targets like religious places. The Ayodhya attack had the signatures of Kashmir-based terrorist outfits who are expanding their operations using modules that merge with local population before launching a strike. How well-equipped are Indian security forces to deal with this type of threat? While creating communal strife was the primary aim, there is a larger gameplan — to derail the Indian-Pakistan peace process.

Thus, tackling terrorism and suicide attacks is an unenviable task for any government requiring high levels of political and security crises management. For the UPA government, the latest attack is a reminder of how fragile the peace process can be. India’s commitment to secularism must be protected at any cost.

RAJNEESH SHARMA, Ludhiana

III

If terrorists are behaving like lunatics, we should act sensibly. This should not be politicised. We should stand united in this hour of crisis. Also the Centre should understand that it is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Hence no handshake with Pakistan is possible till crossborder terrorism is stopped.

Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s warning to Pakistan regarding the peace process in the light of the terrorist attack is timely.

Prof A.D. BHALLA, Ludhiana

IV

This refers to the editorial “Terror in Ayodhya” (July 6). The security personnel killed the heavily armed terrorists in Ayodhya. But the question is how they reached close to the makeshift temple? Was not it because of a security lapse? It ought to be investigated and the delinquents punished, particularly when there was a reported specific intelligence input about a possible terrorist attack on vital installations and places of worship.

It was not an attack on Hindu faith. Some years ago, terrorists had burnt down a celebrated Muslim shrine Charar-e-Sharif in Kashmir. These are nefarious attempts to disturb communal harmony. Terrorists have no religion. They are minions of Satan and indulge in destructive activities.

BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian

Looting public money IT is indeed surprising how the Andhra Pradesh government had handed over a cheque for Rs 11 crore to an absolutely unknown and non-existent firm in New Delhi with a view to luring Volkswagen car company to set up a car manufacturing plant in Visakhapatnam. This only shows how politicians, their kith and kin and sycophants are looting in broad daylight crores of public money in our country. In all probability, behind every scam that is unearthed in India, at least 99 scams are either completely hidden or hushed up in tearing hurry. Heads have already started rolling in Volkswagen in Germany due to this scam. When will the heads roll in India? Chief Minister Y. Rajasekhar Reddy continues to defend a beleagured Minister, B. Satyanarayana, though he has ordered a CBI probe and shifted him from Industries to Marketing. MANIKYAM PRATTIPATI, Hyderabad