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Demand for POTA defies logic

The recent bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad have again given an opportunity to the BJP leaders to call for the re-enactment of a tougher legislation like the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). One does not understand the logic behind their call for its re-enactment.

When Gujarat was burning for months and organised rioters were given a free hand by the government to suppress a particular community, why did Mr L.K. Advani, the then Union Home Minister, not impose POTA on the rioters who killed thousands of innocent people? When it was possible for the rulers to identify the killers easily, why did the law not take its course then?

Mr Advani and his party colleagues should not use different yardsticks for different people. They must consider all the communities as Indians. Their classification according to religion for political mileage will definitely divide the nation which is not in the interest of the Indian state. If POTA is very much essential, let it be imposed on politicians who patronise riots and rioters and terrorists.

BHUPINDER SINGH PARMAR, Jalandhar

II

The serial bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore have shocked the country. Every time the terrorists strike to kill innocent and poor civilians, the government just sheds crocodile tears.

Instead of implementing a strong anti-terrorist law, the government is sitting idle which is giving them a license to kill even more. The government does not wish to enact any anti-terrorist law in the fear of antagonising and losing the Muslim vote. After 9/11 in the US, not a single terrorist could strike that country again, but in India they are doing with impunity.

TUNEER BANERJEE, Kolkata

III

The Government of India seems to have failed to take effective action when all terrorist activities point towards the ISI which is an active organ of the Pakistan government. Though so many talks have taken place between India and Pakistan, our government has never forcefully raised the issue of ISI’s activities with Pakistan.

Moreover, the Prime Minister needs to talk tough. After every terrorist strike, he and other leaders come out with usual monotonous speeches, but no effective action is taken. When will the UPA government help control terrorism and make every citizen feel safe and secure in his/her own country?

S.P. SHARMA, Mumbai

IV

The editorial, “End the blame game” (July 29) was timely. Proper coordination between intelligence agencies and beefing up resources is essential to combat terrorism. The strength of the field intelligence staff must be increased considerably so that all public places are adequately observed. Public help should be harnessed by providing good incentives for valuable intelligence inputs.

Vigilance committees should be instituted in each locality to keep a watch on strangers. Parking of vehicles, including cycles and cycle rickshaws should be strictly regulated at public places. Special operating procedure on occurrence of an act of terror should be planned by local authorities and locally publicised.

Compensation for the dead should be standardised. Treatment of the wounded must be borne by the state and the victim compensated for the loss of working days during hospitalisation. If a victim is disabled, he should be provided disability compensation as per the degree of disability.

Lt-Col H.S. GUR (retd), Hisar

V

The manner in which the UPA and the BJP leaders are playing politics over terrorism is most unfortunate. Unless all of them fight terrorism collectively, how can they eliminate the monster of terrorism? I appeal to all the politicians to stop the blame game and join hands to fight terrorism.

RAKESH KAPUR, Amritsar

Justifiable concern

Panjab University’s refusal to recognise M.Phil degree done by students through distance education from universities such as Algappa, Madurai Kamaraj, CDLU etc. (The Tribune, July 6) is deplorable. The responsibility for maintaining standards in educational institutions lies with the UGC which keeps track of such courses conducted by all the universities.

The students’ concern about the issue is justifiable. If other universities were to emulate Panjab University’s decision, it would lead to chaos. The UGC, therefore, must ensure that its writ runs in all the universities under its purview.

Dr JAGDISH BATRA, Sonepat

Retirement age

The Punjab government’s reported proposal to raise the retirement age to 60 years is not justified at a time when lakhs of educated unemployed are waiting for jobs. It should also think about the students studying in schools, colleges and universities. Keeping in view the acute unemployment problem in Punjab, the matter can be referred to the pay commission.

SURINDER SINGH, Jalandhar