M A I L B A G

Why are we soft towards Pakistan?

I refer to G. Parthasarathy’s article, “Dangerous compromises” (Sept 21). Joint anti-terrorism exercise is an empty slogan more favourable to Pakistan to hoodwink the world — an effort to present a cleaner image tarnished by cross-border terrorism in a planned manner under the ISI’s active participation and guidance.

The whole world knows that Pakistan is the epicentre of Islamic terrorism as nine out of 10 groups and people involved have the origin of nationals directly or indirectly from Pakistan. Why are we soft towards Pakistan when it unequivocally keeps harping that no solution is possible without freedom and right of self-determination of Kashmiri people?

If General Musharraf is so sincere to end cross-border terrorism, he should allow our intelligence agencies to freely identify and locate terrorists training camps. We can show General Musharraf the camps and the game plan.

The General is a guy smarter than the smartest. With his flamboyant style, he has nurtured the uncanny art of running with the hounds and hunting with the hare as is now, by pleasing his masters, the US and the Islamic forces including his recent handshake with the Taliban.

B.M. SINGH, Amritsar

II

Our stand on Jammu and Kashmir, though clear, has never been firm. We tend to weaken our hold by providing concessions to Pakistan from time to time to appease the international community.

The rulers of Pakistan right from Ayub Khan to General Musharraf are best examples of doublespeak. They have shown utter disregard for written agreements like the 1972 Shimla Accord between Indira Gandhi and Z.A. Bhutto, let alone verbal commitments. On matters relating to Pakistan, our political leadership has even let down our defence forces.

It is time we acted firmly with a strong message to Pakistan to stop its diplomatic jugglery with the help of the US which has its own axe to grind with. We can learn some lessons from China.

L.R. SHARMA, Sundernagar (Mandi)

White tigers’ death a big loss WE watched the charming Diya, the white tigress, born in the Chhatbir zoo near Chandigarh. We watched her growing. We were delighted when Saurabh, a white tiger, was brought from Aurangabad as her prospective mate. And we were stunned to hear about the sudden death of Diya and Saurabh. We are paying a heavy price due to human bungling and gross inefficiency of the authorities. Sadly, the Chhatbir zoo has been following a regressive policy towards the felines. Many tigers were surgically operated to contain their population. Some of them were shifted and a few others were barted away like commodities. In such circumstances, we were lucky that a white tiger was born. But the authorities tried to create a nucleus for the white tigers without upgrading the infrastructure. What a pity! Dr H.M. SAROJ, Chandigarh II I am deeply shocked to read about the death of two white tigers in the Chhatbir zoo. It is an irreparable loss. The zoo authorities and those at the highest level of the decision-making process should take effective steps to prevent such deaths in future. GURBACHAN SINGH KASOORWALA, Hoshiarpur

Pollution on the roads

The noise pollution levels on the roads in the cities and towns and on the highways have reached dangerous proportions. About 80 per cent of this pollution is avoidable through discipline, awareness and deterrent punishment.

All the enforcement agencies should take drastic measures immediately and on a sustained basis to safeguard the physical and mental health of millions of road users. There is no point in waiting for the court ruling on this alarming situation.

Indecent and environmentally hostile behaviour on the roads must be tackled with a firm hand. Road accidents could also be prevented if the enforcement agencies act tough against all the culprits, high or low.

R.P. RAMMOHAN, Hyderabad

Huge haul of arms

The recovery of lethal weapons including 875 rockets, 27 rocket-launchers, three bags full of gelatine sticks and other ammunition, is cause for serious concern. More such supplies have been reported from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, UP etc. Such formidable quantity is sufficient to destroy a big city. The loss to life and property is hard to imagine.

It seems the country is sitting on a mound of death and destruction and waiting for somebody to ignite it. Whether the whole lot of explosives is meant for separatists, Naxalites or terrorist groups is secondary. The moot point is to identify the hand behind the flooding of tonnes of weaponry.

Whether it is Pakistan, China or any other country or formation hostile to India, the intelligence agencies should expose them. The local conduits involved in this heinous crime should be charged with sedition and be given capital punishment. The Centre should take the challenge boldly without yielding to vote bank politics.

J.K. MAGO, Panchkula

Timely view

Kuldip Nayar’s view that politicians should keep off educational institutions is apt. Frankly speaking, political interference has done more harm than good even to the best establishment institutions. It has made the youth directionless resulting in numerous social, educational and even personal problems.

The teacher-student relation for which this country is known for centuries is nowhere to be seen. In the present situation Nayar’s following words are worth quoting: “One could always be against the government but not the nation. The nation belongs to all of us and the government does not mean nation.” If these words are followed in letter and spirit, it will be a panacea for all our ills.

MEHAR CHAND, Bangli Kalan (Ludhiana)