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Strengthen intelligence on terrorists

The editorial, “Terror in Capital” (Sept 15) rightly stressed the need to combat the menace of terrorism firmly. Precious human lives are being consumed by the demon of terrorism. At so many places in India the enemies of humanity have successfully carried their nefarious mission.

Sadly, our intelligence and policing systems are not up to the mark. The need of the hour is not only to strengthen these systems but also to set up a federal agency to share intelligence and investigate terrorist and other anti-national activities. All the political parties by rising above “vote politics” should jointly face the challenges thrown up by the terrorists.

Cooperation between the public and the police should be strengthened to get the necessary information. At the same time, the police should be well equipped to tackle cyber crimes. All right-thinking persons must do their bit to maintain communal harmony. Forces of religious fundamentalism need to be isolated.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

II

We need a single agency for gathering and dissemination of intelligence on militancy and insurgency. We should raise a federal police on the pattern of the FBI which could take up the investigation of terrorist attacks without the state government’s permission. The state police personnel are ill-equipped, ill-trained and incapable of combating terror. Insurgency in a small state like Manipur has been posing a serious threat to national integrity. So is the case in Nagaland.

The situation in the Kashmir valley is grim where Pakistani flags are flown daily. A firm and positive approach to deal with them is the need of the hour.

Consider how the US has been able to check terror after 9/11. It took immediate action to streamline the internal security system. The UK too acted promptly after the serial blasts in London.

SOM DUTT VASUDEVA, Shimla

III

Every time the Islamic terrorist strikes to kill innocent civilians, the government just sheds crocodile tears. Instead of enacting a strong anti-terror law, the government is sitting idle, giving them a license to kill even more. The government doesn’t want to make any anti-terrorist laws for fear of losing the Muslim vote.

The porous Indo-Bangladesh border lets Pakistanis and Bangladeshis cross over to India and our politicians are helping them with voters’ identity cards and passports. This is making the situation out of control.

After 9/11, the US did not have a single terrorist strike. In India, however, the terrorists are striking at will with impunity!

TUNEER BANERJEE, Kolkata

IV

The serial bomb blasts in Delhi have proved that the Indian security system is still immature. Though India boasts of its technology and economy, it seems unable to tackle terrorism and internal strife. Our intelligence agencies are also failing in their duty.

Though CCTV cameras were installed at several markets in Delhi, still, they proved to be a failure as they were not working. It shows how active our government is when it comes to combating terrorism. Even after the warning from various states and terrorists, the government is not taking terror seriously.

Everyone knew that Delhi is on the target. Yet, there were as no proper security arrangements in the marketplaces and the police is giving lame excuse. The people are being killed in terror attacks. And our government is silently watching it.

SHAILESH KUMAR, Bangalore

V

I agree with the editorial view that “the terrorists know that they can kill any number of innocent citizens and have sympathisers among politicians.” Unless the masterminds are hauled over coals, the day is not far off when such elements would succeed in tearing the Indian society into shreds.

It is equally true that every citizen will have to act as the eyes and ears of the police and the intelligence agencies so that the enemies of the nation are caught before they carry out their evil designs. The shopkeepers of New Delhi’s Greater Kailash II did a commendable job by alerting the crowd on the public announcement system about the bomb blasts and thus, helped in saving many people who could otherwise have fallen prey to the bombs planted in the area.

LAJPAT RAI GARG, Chandigarh

Optimistic sign

The fall in crude prices is an optimistic sign and has lifted the prospect of cut down in domestic retail fuel prices. The UPA government should sacrifice growth a little to check rising prices. If petroleum prices come down, food prices too will cool off consequentially. The government cannot shy away from its responsibility to keep the prices of essential food items within the reach of all.

The volume of sales of petroleum products which has come down nearly 25 per cent will go up and thus recompense the oil companies and the government. For past several weeks, the demand for gasoline has remained lower than a year ago. It shows that consumers have cut back on travelling.

Cheaper fuel means it would cost less to afford family get-togethers in the Ramzan, Durga Puja and Diwali. Rollback in LPG rates will lighten up the spirit of festivity.

SURESH KHOSLA, Panchkula

Time to tap hydel power Hydroelectric power plants have large upfront capital costs and long and productive value. The Bhakra Nangal plant is about 40 years old, but has a very low operating cost. In addition to power generation, all the hydro projects are always good tourist destinations. Moreover, these emit lesser greenhouse gases and are indeed eco-friendly. Hydro stations generate electricity at affordable prices compared with thermal projects which are costly. There is an urgent need to reduce our dependence on coal-based thermal energy. Our coal reserves are getting exhausted. Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir have immense hydroelectric potential. If neighboring states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh join hands and make sincere efforts to tap the vast hydroelectric potential by providing finances, the power problem can be tackled effectively. Dr NARESH RAJ, Patiala