L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Combating terror, an acid test

S Nihal Singh’s thesis in his article, “Combating terrorism” (May 20) that if strong-arm measures alone could curb terrorism, the rich and mighty nations would be fully protected flies in the face of the facts. There has been no major terrorist attack in the US following 9/11 because of punitive action by America. Likewise, the UK has been spared a repetition of tragedies after appropriate and consistent response by the authorities.

According to a recent survey, India has suffered the maximum casualties due to terrorism. We do not require a survey to tell us that. Hardly a month passes without a major terrorist offensive.

Withdrawal of POTA has perceptibly emboldened the subversive elements to act with impunity. Such acts cannot take place without the active connivance of the local people. Any action against them raises the hackles of our so-called secularists. In the name of secularism, our national security has been critically compromised.

PINNIE GUPTA, Dehra Dun

II

The article exposes the Indian political parties’ all-out effort to grab the vote bank advantage even at the cost of terrorist attacks. There is an urgent need to evolve an effective anti-terrorist strategy.

India’s war against terror has just begun. The security forces, the political leadership and society should unitedly play an effective role in investigating the causes of terrorism and examine ways to eliminate the virus.

Dr VITULL K. GUPTA, Bathinda

Fight unitedly

I read the editorial “Federal agency needed” (May 20). All political parties should rise above petty politics. An intelligence network should function with the joint efforts of all the agencies concerned. The states must realise the serious menace of terrorism which cannot be tackled without the joint efforts of the Centre and the states.

The BJP has demanded the reintroduction of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) to tackle terrorism. Perhaps it is politicising the issue keeping in view the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The BJP’s stand in this respect does not convey a message of “united struggle” against terrorism. Laws like POTA may prove useful if these are used without bias. No religious segment should feel scared.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

Terror outfits

Both the United Jehad Council (JUC) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) are rabidly anti-India outfits. They are responsible for the terrorist attacks in India. Close to the ISI, they receive weapons, training and funds. When the Indo-Pak peace talks were in progress last week, these outfits had warned the Pakistan government to refrain from having any understanding on Kashmir with the Government of India and threatened to wage a “war in Islamabad and Lahore” if there is any “retreat” on the Kashmir issue.

While proceeding with the peace talks, India will have to factor in the fallout of this threat on the peace process and ask the Pakistan government how it intends to tackle them.

R.J. KHURANA, Bhopal

Setting an example

The editorial, “Tessy Thomas: Woman power in DRDO” (May 15) rightly observes that the first ‘missle woman’, Tessy Thomas, has done the womanhood of India proud. Our women, especially scientists and technologists, should take a leaf from her book. Nothing should deter such capable, competent and exemplary women to shine and excel in their chosen fields.

The atmosphere at work should be conducive so that the talent of these highly talented women does not go waste and be used in the best possible way. The women at the helm have shown that given a fair opportunity, they can show their leadership skills and rise to the top.

RISHAM, Rajpura (Patiala)

Bracing up to Chinese threat India must brace up to the Chinese threat in the context of its decision to have a rail link with Nepal in five years and its fast railway expansion in Tibet. To prove its logistical superiority, China has built a 1137-km-long railway line in Tibet; it plans to extend it further to areas close to our borders. China has spread the railway line to the world’s highest passes, icy peaks and the Tibetan high lands, which are more than 5000 metres above the sea level. With the developments in Nepal, China desires to develop greater proximity with that country so that Nepal reduces its heavy dependence on India for importing oil, motor parts, medicines and other items. To bolster its diplomatic and trade ties, China has offered to extend its rail link from Tibetan capital Lhasa to Khasa, a border town in Nepal. Perhaps China aspires to look at the Bay of Bengal from the heights of Nepal. India must strengthen its borders. The proposed Bhanupalli- Barmana- Manali rail link should be extended to Leh and Ladakh. It will provide a major boost to defence, trade, tourism and industrial development. Dr L.K. MANUJA, Nahan (HP)

Link to Mathura

There is no direct train between Kurukshetra and Mathura though people of the area and tourists visit the two places regularly. Moreover, the passenger trains between Ambala, Kurukshetra and New Delhi run without toilets and there no connecting train for onward journey from Delhi.

Travelling in the mail/express trains in second class is difficult. These coaches are always packed to capacity. In the larger interest of the people of this region, the authorities should run new fast passenger/express trains between Kurukshetra and Mathura by extending the existing trains running between Kurukshetra and New Delhi to Mathura with toilet facility.

C. L. MEHTA, Kurukshetra