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Investigations should be unbiased

The irony is that the police has become a potent weapon of suppression of its opponents and detractors in the hands of its political masters (editorial, “CBI is right”, Aug 3). They use and abuse the state machinery for gaining political advantage. Instances of shifting of some Godhra riots cases out of Gujarat clearly prove that the police force in Gujarat has become his master’s voice.

The inapt and biased investigation conducted by the Gujarat police in these cases proved beyond doubt that the criminal justice system has broken down. Also, it has become a fashion to accuse the Centre of partisan and political vendetta. which is not healthy for a democratic country like India.

The observation of the Supreme Court in Naroda-Patia riot case succinctly depicts the character of the Gujarat police. It is time that an independent investigating agency other than the CBI may be created which should investigate interstate crimes of public importance rather than the local police, which should be debarred from holding investigation.

Otherwise the day is not far off when the common man will lose faith in administration of justice.

The media should be thanked for creating public opinion against such high profile crimes. Political parties should also realise that there are other legal and peaceful means to regain and retain power than making a mockery of the police force.

AJAY K JINDAL, via e-mail

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor, neatly hand-written or typed in double space, should not exceed the 150-word limit. These can be sent by post to the Letters Editor, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030. Letters can also be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com

— Editor-in-Chief

Cricket will miss Murali

An all-time great off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka created history by becoming the first bowler in the history of Test cricket to take 800 wickets, a monumental feat, which will continue to reverberate across the cricketing world, perhaps, forever (editorial, “Murali’s magic”, July 24). In his swan song Test, he reached not only a personal milestone but also helped his side win the first test against India by 10 wickets by capturing 8 wickets in the match. Hats off to him!

Murali, one of the most successful bowlers in Test cricket, found his career backed with unending controversies as the world cricket often debated about his unorthodox and weird bowling action. But he took the bouquets and brickbats alike in his stride and remained focussed on taking wickets after wickets.

His unassuming and down-to-earth attitude made him the darling of cricket lovers all over the world. The batsmen feared him but he never intimidated them by using mean tactics as are being employed by today’s bowlers to provoke the batsmen. With his retirement an era has come to an end.

Murali has been a fine exponent of off-spin bowling. He bamboozled the batsmen with the guise and guile of his spin, which at times would become unplayable. He would cast magic like spell over the batsmen who fluttered to come out of it. Those to whom it was bowled with deadly effect rarely deciphered his “doosra”.

It has rightly been remarked in the editorial that batsmen will not miss Murali but cricket will. He richly deserves the encomiums heaped upon him. Farewell, Murali, you’ve conquered the summit 800!

TARSEM S. BUMRAH, Batala

Bad wheat

The news report “Buying bad wheat a habit with Punjab?” (Aug 2) by Vibha Sharma revealed a major problem. The Government of India has prescribed specifications to procure food grains. But due to political interference and he arrival of huge quantities of wheat/paddy, it is not possible for the quality inspector to procure according to the specifications.

Moreover, the harvesting season has becomes shorter due to high-tech equipment but there has been no modernisation in the marketing system of food grains. All the activities like unloading, cleaning and bagging is done manually.

The commission agents play an important role between the farmer and the procuring agency and often their selfish interests lead to corrupt practices in the procurement system. There is a need to change the procurement system.

ASHOK SAPOLIA, Glasstonbury, USA

The news report and the editorial “Procurement rot” (Aug 3) have aptly exposed the corruption and mismanagement in the food grain procurement and storage resulting in colossal damage to the nation. Is it not an irony of fate that bags of grains procured by Punjab with the help of its agencies like Punsup and Markfed for the FCI are substandard and damaged.

The preservation of stocks in Punjab is unscientific. The idea of procuring wheat is to ensure that it moves from the farm to the plate of a common man. Only proper storage, fixing accountability and initiating criminal cases against officials found guilty can set things right.

Capt. S K DATTA,Abohar

Rail journey

The middle, “Men and manners” (Aug 3) by Jupinderjit Singh aptly described the pandemonium in train journeys. In the sea of humanity and the rush of life, manners are thrown out of the window like used plastic bottles. I myself experienced the hullabaloo in the trains for many years during my journeys.

However, it is not that one encounters only ill-mannered passengers in trains. It could be even worse. On one occasion, during the midnight hour, I felt something pressing against the side of the sleeper. I was startled. I found that some unruly youths had forcibly embarked in the reserved compartment and one of them had thought it fit to share my berth and had slept with me. However, all the sweet and sour memories of journeys by Indian railways are now sweet due to the tinge of nostalgia.

BHUSHAN CHANDER JINDAL, Jalandhar