II

Even after a series of wake up calls, the government has failed to protect its citizens. Time and again lives have been lost in such barbaric acts of terrorism and each time the political class has offered nothing but condolences and assurances for a secure future. It is always the general public, which has suffered at the hands of terrorists, while the leaders sleep soundly after shedding a few crocodile tears.

After each terror strike, the government draws up statistics and announces an ex-gratia payment to victims. Is it all an innocent person’s life is worth to the government? No amount of money can account for a person’s life and each time terrorists strike successfully, the authorities stain their conscience with the blood of the innocent. Exactly how many deaths would it take for the government to spring into action? The government seems to be treating the issue of national security as a matter of joke, and it will be better for it to mend its ways.

AMULYA SHARMA, Chandigarh

III

It is quite surprising that despite intelligence inputs, the Delhi Police has failed to prevent Wednesday’s terror attacks (Delhi Police was alerted in July: PC, September 8). While Home Minister P Chidambaram said the Delhi Police was alerted in July, police sources said the inputs were not specific for the Delhi High Court or any other court in the Capital. The question arises, what is the use of these intelligence inputs if they are not good enough for the authorities concerned to take action against terror attacks. At the moment it is not clear whether there have been any lapses on the part of the police.

If CCTVs could have helped in maintaining better security arrangements around the court, why were these cameras not installed? Both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have reiterated their commitment to nab the culprits. But there has not been any substantial progress in the investigation of recent Mumbai attacks.

Everyone asks the question, if the US can prevent another 9/11, why has India failed to prevent terror attacks? How is the security situation in India any different from Pakistan? These questions arise from the fact that the common man continues to live in an environment of terror. None can be certain that there won’t be another attack in Delhi, Mumbai or any other Indian city.  

MOHINDER SHARMA, Jalandhar

Punish the guilty

Former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh was sent to Tihar jail for his alleged involvement in the cash-for-vote scam (editorial, “Last stop: Tihar”, September 8). It gives us some relief to witness tainted leaders being put behind bars. These leaders have cheated the people of India, who elect their representatives with the hope that they will reflect the will of the people. Isn’t it a mockery of democracy to try to ‘buy’ support for one particular party? While we accept that Parliament is supreme, is it not the duty of the members to try and maintain the sanctity of this ‘temple of democracy’?

If the people of India are dismayed, are they being unreasonable? Why did Anna succeed in arousing the sentiments of the masses? He succeeded not because he was a mass leader. He won people’s support because he raised issues, which were not effectively raised by the leaders.

But the editorial rightly says that it is not enough to arrest and punish Amar Singh alone. There are others behind the scenes. They should also be identified and punished accordingly.