L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Centre can’t be soft on terror

I read the editorial, “Terror in Capital” (Sept 15). Once again five bomb blasts within 45 minutes in Delhi have proved that terrorism is spreading at high speed but our government is soft on terror. The government had installed CCTV cameras at different places in Delhi. But what’s the use of installing such hi-fi cameras when they don’t work properly? This shows the government’s carelessness and irresponsibility. Why don’t the officers take their job seriously?

It’s not only the policemen’s duty but common people, too, should be alert and inform the police about terrorists. The police can’t be present everywhere, every time. As we know, five persons including a 11-year-old balloon seller saw suspected terrorists placing some packets in the dustbins at Central Park and Barakhamba Road. Why didn’t they inform the police promptly?

JYOTI SHOKHANDA, Bangalore

II

The vote bank politics of our so-called leaders have made India a sitting duck that can be targeted by anyone. The myopia shown by our leaders in tackling the problem of terrorism is exemplary. They think if they take stern measures against the terrorists, they will lose the Muslims’ votes.

Don’t Muslims die in bomb attacks? Wouldn’t an ordinary Muslim want to live in a peaceful and secure state? I wonder when will our seasoned politicians understand that being tough on terrorists does not amount to being anti-Muslim. Unless the leaders of this country are cured of this shortsightedness, there can be no hope of winning the war against terror.

RAJNEESH DHAWAN, Chandigarh

III

Again the authorities have proved themselves as irresponsible. The government is not doing anything other than announcing compensation to the next of kin. Why are the terrorists having an upper hand and not the police?

Sadly, even Delhi, the national Capital, is not safe though the communication facilities are far much better than in other cities. If the heart of Delhi, i.e. Connaught Place, is not safe, how can we feel secure at other places? It is shocking that terrorists are succeeding in their nefarious mission always. Some strict action should be taken against those responsible for lax security.

LILY SHARMA, Kurukshetra

IV

The Delhi bomb blasts are tragic and remind me of the story of the bird and its chicks. Every time the farmer declared to cultivate the land by addressing it as someone else’s task, the mother bird had no fears and she told her frightened chicks not to worry because they won’t be homeless unless and until the farmer tries to vacate the field himself.

The point is that we want citizens to be responsible who, in turn, want the surveillance agencies to be more alert.  Unless and until the rules and discipline followed by the Army are not implemented in the police service, things won’t improve. In China, every citizen is given a chance to work for the country for some duration in the Army. We need to emulate this practice.

SANDEEP SHARMA, Solan (HP)

V

The BJP’s stand on terrorism cannot be appreciated because it has condemned the government instead of the Saturday blasts and the perpetrators. At this crucial juncture, every Indian should unite and find appropriate ways to fight terror instead of finding fault with the government. In this fight against terror, every religious and political segment of society should be included.

OMAR LUTHER KING, Delhi