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Terror: Soft approach won’t do

Amazingly, the Mumbai attacks followed Pakistan President Zardari’s statement that “Pakistan will not be the first to use nuclear weapons against India.” There might be some truth in this because the terrorists, operating from the Pakistani soil, chose an alternative method to satisfy their fanatic urge by executing the attacks on 26/11.

Each and every attack on India has been planned meticulously and well executed. Our stonewalled silence against the bomb blasts in various cities is the reason for their increased rebellion. The Mumbai carnage shows that they have just moved one step further to prove that India’s defence system is weak and that we are not safe in our own country.

As Einstein said, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look and do nothing.” India is suffering due to the government’s soft stand on terror. This is definitely a war against India.

GEHNA VAISHNAVI, Chandigarh

II

After 26/11, India showed much maturity by not moving its troops close to the border with Pakistan. India sincerely does not want to add to the worries of Pakistan. India wants to help Pakistan by increasing bilateral trade.

Pakistan Army’s misadventure of putting its troops in a flux has played havoc with NATO supply lines. A supply convoy for NATO troops stationed on Pehawar outskirts was virtually left unguarded. The Taliban destroyed the fleet of trucks and humvees consisting of 150 vehicles.

This is Pakistan Army’s gift to those countries which gave more than $11 billion in military aid to the Pakistan Army since 9/11. Former US Secretary of State Albright aptly called Pakistan as the migraine for the rest of the world.

HARJAP SINGH AUJLA, Monmouth Jn (NJ, USA)

III

The horrific 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai have shaken the common man. True, India has a porous long coastline, a huge population and a vast geographical area which makes it a soft target. But then, there has been a major security lapse and intelligence failure which led to this carnage.

The common man is angry. The mood and the rhetoric in India are reminiscent of the US after 9/11 which sparked a determination to fight terrorism in that country. After 9/11, there has been no major terrorist attempt on the US soil.

Similarly, in India, this anger should help to goad the political class to enact and enforce a tough anti-terrorist Act, step up the security and intelligence network and make the public vigilant.

RAMA KASHYAP, Chandigarh

IV

Scores of precious lives have been lost in the Mumbai terror strikes. I offer the following suggestions: A central statutory commission is needed to investigate all offences of communal and terrorist violence and to prosecute suspected perpetrators of these crimes. It augurs well that the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister have already hinted at the creation of such an agency.

Fast track courts with time-bound trials and verdicts may be set up to specially pursue these cases with fewer appeals. A fund may be set up with generous corporate participation to offer monetary rewards to informers leading to the arrest of conspirators and pre-empting terror attacks.

Suitable penalties may be imposed for misinformation. Gallantry awards may be introduced for those saving people in such tragedies. The criminal laws may be amended to levy harsh punishment for all speeches, writings and actions promoting class hatred.

M. HASAN JOWHER, President, Society for Promoting Rationality, Ahmedabad

IJS the best solution The Union Law Ministry and the Government of India should explore the possibility of constituting the Indian Judicial Service (IJS) on the lines of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) expeditiously. This will help overcome the problems of shortage of judges and the huge backlog of cases. At present, there is no difference in the qualification of judges for lower courts and the higher judiciary. The Sessions Judges are mostly ignored for appointment to the high courts. At the age of 45, they usually put in 20 years of service and very few get elevated to the high courts. The IJS, on the lines of the IAS, will induct young blood, freshness and talent to the judiciary and its constitution brooks no delay. Lt-Col PYARA SINGH SARANG (retd), Chandigarh

In memoriam

Col Harnam Singh Mankotia, Military Cross, passed away in Chandigarh recently. Surprisingly, though he was a highly decorated officer, neither the armed forces nor the UT government accorded Last Post to his mortal remains.

He joined the Jammu and Kashmir state force in 1934 and was commissioned in the Indian Army in 1939. He saw action in World War II and received the highly coveted Military Cross in 1940.

Thereafter, he was appointed ADC to Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir. Subsequently, he was ADC to Yuvraj Karan Singh. He retired from Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in 1972.

Sq Ldr K.J.S. MALIK (retd), Chandigarh