II

The government should wake up at least now and do something drastic to combat terrorism before it is too late. Otherwise, we would be left with Hobson’s choice of kow-towing before the perpetrators of terror.

Why don’t our politicians jettison petty politics, learn to prioritise the national interest and tighten security? Perhaps, the solution lies in electing the right kind of people to Parliament and State Assemblies who can protect us well, ensure justice to everyone and respect the global interest as well.

NARINDER KUMAR BHANGU, Sahid Bhagat Singh Nagar

III

Increasing terrorist attacks are cause for major concern. It is a threat to international peace. The basic human nature is to live peacefully but some vested interests do not want us to live in peace.

Clearly, we are left with no other option than to remain united. In this era of globalisation, we need to fight against terrorism as we share each other through globalisation.

VASU GARG, Student, Shimla

IV

Our ill-equipped police is no threat to the heavily armed and thoroughly professional terrorists. That’s why the terrorists could hijack a police van, shoot at will and move with ease to their destinations. The hotels too suffer from an appallingly low level of security. There are no automatic warning cameras, internal suvellience with close-circuit cameras. Remote-control door-locking device for all hotel suites will prevent outsiders’ access.

We need well-equipped and trained forces to tackle terrorists effectively. Let us not downgrade security on grounds of paucity of funds.

Wg-Cdr T.L. BHARDWAJ (retd), Chandigarh

V

The Mumbai attack was audacious and thus different from the earlier ones. The terrorists didn’t cover their faces. This speaks for itself. Clearly, India has been soft on terror and lenient towards Pakistan. Theodore Roosevelt aptly said, “Don’t hit at all if it is honourably possible to avoid hitting, but never hit soft.” We must act tough with Pakistan.

If Pakistan makes a hue and cry and threatens to give us a “fitting reply”, India should follow Bismark’s formula: “When I deal with a friend, I am a friend and half; when I deal with a crook, I am a crook and a half.”

D.V. JOSHI, Bartana (Zirakpur)

VI

The Mumbai attacks were barbaric, senseless and defied conventional wisdom in every sense. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must take concrete steps to combat terrorism.

I want to salute our armed forces and commandos for saving numerous lives. They stood up to their reputation of being a force which is second to none. Nonetheless, the Indian administration needs to work on further shortening the response period for similar retaliatory actions against terrorists.

Dr UPINDER FOTADAR, New York City (USA)

VII

For the Mumbai attack, we can directly blame the intelligence agencies, Coast Guard and Pakistan. One wonders how the foreign ship carrying the terrorists was not noticed by the Coast Guard.

The Government of India must set up an inquiry commission to investigate the circumstances leading to the terrorist attacks on Mumbai’s hotels and CST station in a fixed timeframe to heal the wounds of every Indian and Mumbaikar in particular.