M A I L B A G

Strict action must against unruly cops

This has reference to the editorial “Beasts in uniform” (Jan 17). The high-handedness of the PAC jawans who unlawfully occupied the reserved berths of the doctors in the Allahabad-bound train is highly condemnable. This kind of uncivilised and brutal behaviour on the part of the men in uniform warrants strict action against the offenders.

The PAC jawans have committed double crime — by unlawfully occupying the reserved berths, and by beating the lawful and legitimate claimants. The Railway administration too is equally guilty as it failed to help the doctors in distress.

Equally guilty are the officers accompanying the jawans for keeping mum on the incident. All the three categories of people deserve exemplary punishment without delay. Early action against the lawbreakers would restore people’s faith in the system.

RAM PARKASH KHANNA, Dharamshala

II

The doctors, during their internship, are trained to mitigate the sufferings of the ailing humanity to the best of their knowledge and professional skills. People expect that they should also be treated properly by every section of society so that they can deliver the best possible health services to the masses.

The men in khaki, before being inducted into the police force, must be taught human psychology, especially how to deal with the masses and the criminals in a scientific manner, apart from professional training.

The problem is that people are afraid of approaching the police for redressal of their grievances because of their rude behaviour and misconduct. The police should be taught to help the masses in their hour of need.

Dr RAMAN K. AGGARWAL, Phagwara

III

The incident has shocked the country. It is a pity that the protectors of law have violated their sacred duty and have become beasts of brutality. If this happened to a group of young medical doctors, normally capable of defending themselves, what would be the fate of helpless women passengers in distress?

The Railway Ministry and the Railway Protection Force need to ensure the safety of the passengers. At the same time, the violators of law deserve deterrent punishment promptly to restore the confidence of the passengers travelling by train.

BALJIT KAUR, Lecturer, Trinity College, Jalandhar

IV

When the guardians of law and order behave irresponsibly in trains and public places like beaches and parks, they bring a bad name to the entire organisation — the police or the military. The young doctors who tasted the brutality of PAC jawans should have first assessed their capacity to challenge the jawans who are rude and unruly.

Mere suspension of the jawans is no punishment as the same can be revoked when public memory fades away. Only exemplary punishment like dismissal from service can act as a strong deterrent and stop such incidents.

DES RAJ PATHANIA, Hamirpur

Time to protect cotton crop Cotton is an important export-oriented crop. To improve its productivity, it must be saved be from varied types of insect pests especially, boll worms which cause heavy damage to the crop. These insects hibernate in the winter in the form of larvae and pupae in the burrs and unopened bolls in the dumps of harvested cotton plants. These insects can be destroyed by vigorously shaking cotton sticks and burning the residue of burrs and bolls. This warrants a costly insecticide spraying schedule. I have been emphasising time and again that January is ideal to do this operation. With slight rise in temperature, these insects go haywire and multiply rapidly. Both Haryana and Punjab governments need to involve all departments including school teachers in a joint campaign under the guidance of the Agriculture Department. The latter alone cannot execute it by February first week. There is need to protect the cotton crop and increase its productivity. J.L. DALAL, Former Director, Agriculture, Haryana

Help pensioners

The Centre has not yet accepted two major recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission. These are restoration of commuted pension after 12 years instead of 15 years; and grant of one per cent increase in pension every year after 33 years of service. Pensioners have been appealing to successive governments at the Centre to implement these recommendations but in vain.

The Centre’s stand that these involve serious financial implications is unfair, unrealistic and unsustainable. Our demand is just and fair and we deserve the Centre’s sympathetic consideration.

SHER SINGH, Ludhiana

At what cost?

It is heartening to note that the Empowered Committed of Punjab has approved Rs 15981.7 crore for a special economic zone for Patiala, Amritsar and Jalandhar regions, textile park for Ludhiana and other township projects of EMAAR-MGF of Dubai for the overall development of Punjab. However, apparently, these development projects are being taken up by ignoring the construction of hydroelectric projects like the Shahpurkandi Dam Project.

S.K. MITTAL, Beas Dam

Against ethics

Zee News, in its feature ‘Crime Reporter’ (Jan 17) exposed an exorcist with a vivid face. First, he was made to execute deep-kneed bends grasping his ears. Then while whisking him away to the police station, he was given a thrashing by the channel reporters.

Whatever may be truth, I did not like the way the operation was carried out. It is not only gross injustice on the part of the reporter with cameraman to take law into their hands but also against journalistic ethics.

MANJEET SINGH RURKI KHAS, Garhshankar (Hoshiarpur)

No incentives

To woo non-resident Indians abroad, the Centre and the states offer many incentives to them to boost investments in India. However, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) discourages NRIs from doing this.

One such instance is the harassment of NRIs in getting plots in Sectors 2, 6, New Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula. They deposited earnest money in foreign exchange at the behest of HUDA but get refunds in Indian currency payable at Indian banks, notwithstanding official instructions allowing such refund in foreign exchange.

HUDA’s approach in the matter is arbitrary, unethical and prejudicial to the interests of the applicants. The refund amount in Indian currency cannot go to the NRIs’ accounts abroad. HUDA should review the matter and save NRIs from mental anguish, harassment and undue litigation.

AJIT SINGH, Chandigarh