II

The need of the hour is to change the present security system and form a special organisation consisting of troops from the NSG, RAW and paramilitary forces to work independently under the command of the Army without any political interference. This should directly report to the Prime Minister. And the companies should be located in every state capital for quick action.

During anti-terrorist operations, the electronic media should avoid live telecast of the same. Only then, one can ensure the secrecy of the commando operation to overpower the terrorists according to their plan.

Col BEANT SINGH (retd),  Jalandhar Cantonment

III

The Mumbai terror attack once again exposes the chinks in our preparedness to counter terrorism. The Centre should constitute a core group comprising the three Service Chiefs and intelligence outfits to deal with the matter of national security. The intelligence network has to be in place.

Special commando force with requisite infrastructure should be posted at all state capitals and district headquarters. The plans and designs of all major buildings should be readily available with security agencies so that the shortcomings of the present attack are taken care of in future.

Dr A. R. CHAUDHRI, Kurukshetra

IV

It was a united and determined India that answered the bullets from terrorists who tried to seize the nation in Mumbai on 26/11. In moments of such calamity, no one thought of being a Marathi manoos, a Bihari, a South Indian or a Punjabi! In fact, most NSG commandoes deployed in the Mumbai operations were not Marathi Manoos but from the North and South India.

The nation’s biggest tribute to those valiant men who gave their lives for the rest of us is to make people like Raj Thackeray, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Amar Singh, Mayawati and others who have done enough damage to divide us just to remain in the chair. Let us resolve to be Indians first to ensure that the moments of grief of such magnitude do not come back again.

Air Cmdr S.S. SAXENA, Greater Noida

V

Ironically, the Mumbai attacks came in the wake of the two-day negotiations between the Home Secretaries of India and Pakistan in Islamabad earlier where cooperation in fighting terrorism was top on the agenda. Detente between the two neighbours does have the potential to curb the menace because militancy does not recognise borders and it is only logical to challenge it through a joint endeavour.

K.S. JAYATHEERTHA, Bangalore

VI

In his article, “Mumbai Mayhem” (Dec 3), Admiral Arun Prakash (retd) blames politicians, intelligence agencies and everyone else for 26/11 except the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard which should share the major share of the blame. If they were vigilant and alert on the long high seas between Karachi and Mumbai, the tragedy could have been averted. Obviously, there has been laxity, connivance or money changing hands (may be at the lower level) for safe passage of the terrorists (this crucial aspect should form part of the investigation).

The writer says that the Navy can’t do marine policing at Mumbai’s Juhu, Chowpatti, Cuffe Parade or Alibagh. But he has forgotten that most vital naval establishments in Mumbai are located in the areas as mentioned above. Terrorists landed in a dinghi at the Gateway of India, which is near the Navy helipad.

TEJ K. MAGAZINE, Chandigarh

Hell on earth Allah died that night two young children were shot down before their father’s eyes at the station. Jehovah died that night a young babe was orphaned, both his parents murdered. Rama died that night a mother lay charred in a hotel room far from the children that she loved. Jesus died again in grief, as Mumbai was torn apart and India’s soul convulsed. God died that night. He bled and burnt, shot and scarred. Where is your paradise then your just reward for jihad oh killers, who came in the night? When God is dead and you have made a hell on earth? AMREETA SEN, Kolkata

Correct position

I read the news-item on Bairagi Mahamandal. The correct position is that Lachhman Dev (Banda Bahadur), in his early years of life, was a good sportsman and a shikari. When he was around 18 years, he took to sanyas and wandered around the north and south.

During the early 19th century, the ascetic warriors’ armies were not less than that of the Mughal empire. Madho Das (Banda Bahadur) was disillusioned with all this and set up his dera at Nanded across the Godavari river.

During this period, Guru Gobind Singh came to Nanded along with Bahadur Shah, the Mughal emperor. Guruji met Madho Das who became his disciple. Guruji converted Madho Das to Sikh religion and sent him to Punjab to take up arms against the Mughals.

The rightful successors, the Bandhai Sampardai, which came into being under the descendants of Banda Bahadur, organised the same function at Hissar in which a lakh had attended.