Mayhem in Haryana

The editorial “Lawless Haryana” (May 21) has rightly described  the prevailing  situation  in Rohtak  home  district  of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda, where former MLA, Balbir  Bali virtually challenged the might and authority  of Haryana Police. Glorifying and defending politicians even if they are accused of murder and corruption is an old trend in Haryana politics. Indeed lawmakers, past and present are not supposed to be lawbreakers.  

PAWAN KUMAR BANSAL, Rohtak

Wanted list

The inclusion of Wazhul Kamar Khan ‘s name  in the list of lndia’s most wanted fugitives in safe heaven in Pakistan, is a big blunder (editorial, “Most unwanted lapse”, May 19) It is sad that all the India’s top- notch intelligence agencies, like CBI, IB and NIA put together could not prepare an authentic list of terrorists.

On the contrary the media scrutinised the list and pointed out the glaring gaffe within a few days after the list was made public by the government. In addition the name of a dead terrorist also appears in the list, which is unfortunate.

This just cannot be treated a human error. In order to avoid such embracement in future, the data which has intentional ramifications should be vetted by the RAW before submission to the country concerned by the Home Ministry.

SEWAK BANWAIT, New Delhi

II

One fails to understand as to how such grave blunders can be committed when the list has been supposedly scrutinised and vetted at the highest level in the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is not the first instance of such a goof up at international level. Earlier the Minister for External Affairs had started reading a speech of another country in the UN General Assembly. The   other day the CBI team went to Copenhagen with an expired arrest warrant and the DIG CBI termed it as a non issue. Such incidents lower the credibility of our nation at the international level.

Wing Commander SS SAVANT (retd), Zirakpur

Captain’s charm

To the news report “Cong meetings to be more democratic” (May 19) I would like to add that it seems Capt Amarinder Singh’s bold image, rich political background and his own individual identity has helped to create a rapport with the common people in Punjab. As an individual he has always been appreciated for his stand on different issues in the interest of the state. The way he is interacting with party workers it augurs well for the future prospects of the Congress in Punjab.

HARPREET SANDHU, Ludhiana

Land mafia

I fully endorse Inder Malhotra’s assertion in the article “Land, loot and violence: Nandigram to Noida and beyond” (May13). Indeed, real estate and mining which also require acquisition of land have replaced other traditional sources of loot…. Truly the land mafias, politico-bureaucratic collaborators and corporate crooks of “shining India” are out to grab the land from Bharat all in the name of development. 

The Land Acquisition Act, 1894 needs to be dispensed away with and pro-farmers legislation put on the statute book without delay. The state should be debarred from selling acquired land to the private sector for profits and totally denied to make profits in any manner at the cost of the farmers.  Farmers should be given due share in profits  arising out of the industrial units set up whether in public sector or private sector or for joint ventures.. Land for industrial purposes should be acquired in barren areas only. For the private sector the state should play the role of only a facilitator.

Dr PREM SINGH DAHIYA, Rohtak