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Terrorism: Long-term plan needed
Since 26/11, a lot had been written and said about the Mumbai terror strikes. Simultaneously, the intelligence and security agencies have indulged in a blame game. We have also heard of the Centre’s decision on the setting up of a federal agency for terror crimes and the creation of four hubs of National Security Guards in different parts of the country for prompt response. Some heads also rolled in New Delhi and Mumbai. It can now be safely concluded that the decisions taken so far are only short term. As the clouds of terrorism are looming large over India, temporary palliatives won’t do and there is need for a long-term strategy. Since the extremist outfits like the Lashkar-e-Taiyaba are the accused and are basically Pakistan based, the Pakistani government should act against these groups and extradite them to India for trial. If Pakistan doesn’t respond favourably, India should approach the UN under UNSC Resolution No. 1373 which asks all states to take steps to prevent commission of terror acts, deny safe havens to those who finance, plan or support these activities. The Security Council should ask Pakistan to nab the culprits operating from its land and extradite them to India for prosecution. Besides, we should also keep our house in order by revamping the intelligence and security apparatus. S.K.
KHOSLA, Chandigarh
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II The editorial “Attack on India” (Nov 29) aptly observes that the terrorist attack in Mumbai came from usual suspects. Shockingly, how did the terrorists escape the eagle eyes of the Coast Guard, the Indian Navy and the Mumbai Port authorities? If one happens to visit Gateway of India, you will find boats ferrying tourists for sightseeing without any security checks. Many warships of Indian Navy are also anchored near Gateway of India and the Naval Dockyard is close by, where ships and submarines are moored to jetties. Security lapses in this area can damage our warships. Why can this area not be declared out of bounds for civil boats? MUKAND LAL KAUSHIK, Chandigarh III There have been wide gaps in our intelligence and fighting fitness to fight terror. Solutions can be in the following formats. One, India must take a U-turn from sectarianism, regionalism and vote-bank politics if our democracy has to survive. People’s action groups must hold their leaders accountable to ensure their safety. Two, commandoes should be put under the Army to help the nearest Army Command tackle any emergency. The NSG reached Mumbai so late. One does not need 60 hours to neutralise the terrorists. Mumbai’s was a disjointed operation. And finally, we have to dispel the notion of being a soft state. Our armed forces, police and intelligence must be modernised to tackle terror. Air Cmde RAGHUBIR SINGH (retd), Pune IV I am reminded of André Maurois’ apt remark, “The only thing experience teaches us is that experience teaches us nothing.” Why did the people in Mumbai crawl when the terrorists threw grenades? Very few know that a hand grenade can be shot with grenade launchers, could contain tera-gas which helps control an agitated crowd during riots, can be fixed with a rifle to ensure an effaceable distance, can have explosives or some chemical substances or a fuse, filler and so on. In the wake of the Mumbai attacks, the Centre should include Defence Studies as a compulsory subject for all college students. SANDEEP SHARMA, Solan
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