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Assess factors behind rise of terror groups

This refers to the news item, “Home-grown terror fresh challenge: PC” (August 5). Home Minister P Chidambaram said on Thursday that home-grown terror was a new challenge that India was facing. The government has also pointed towards the involvement of a home-grown terror group in the Mumbai blasts. This is a matter of concern, especially in the light of the fact that the government’s policy against terrorism has to take all these facts into consideration.

Home-grown terrorism existed in one form or the other in the past. But now the real concern is that these groups manage to get support from international terror groups. ULFA chief has already admitted it.

The government must, therefore, try to first assess the social, economic and political reasons behind the rise of home-grown terror groups. It is not enough to make a general statement, though it is a significant one.

The Centre and states should work together to tackle the issue of home-grown terror. Obviously, issues like regionalism, unemployment and a sense of not being part of the mainstream, are some of the reasons that may have resulted in the formation of terror groups in the country.

Terrorism has continued to test the best of brains anywhere in the world. The government must try to solve any new problem before it becomes a major political issue. This is because external factors come into play when the government fails to address any such issue. The Opposition should also assist the government in solving people’s problems in a constructive manner.

KAMAL KISHORE, Chandigarh

Farmers’ agitation

I support the argument that the police used “excessive force” to contain the agitating farmers of Mansa (editorial, “Mansa farmers mistreated”, August 4).

It is really tragic that a farmer has lost his life and 15 others have sustained injuries in an avoidable police action at Kot Dunna village located on the Mansa-Barnala border.

Out of the total 882 acres of land likely to be acquired for the proposed thermal plant, farmers owning 166 acres have been resisting the acquisition process of the Punjab government.

The farmers have reportedly been offered Rs 23.77 lakh per acre for their fertile land. This amount is nothing in comparison with the compensatory amount of Rs 1.5 crore per acre, which was paid to farmers of Mohali in the past.

It is also distressing to know that the farmers of Mansa have been mistreated and humiliated despite being the vocal supporters of Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, who has always been considered as a towering leader of the prosperous farming community in Punjab.

I am of the view that courtesy demands that Badal should himself condemn this barbaric police action against the farmers of Mansa and announce new rates of compensation for their land.

Dr RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

The poor

The editorial, “Growth or inflation” (August 5) exposes the indifference of politicians towards the sufferings of the poor. Powerful government machinery can do much to control inflation if it has the will to do so. But the lobby of the rich and powerful wields stronger influence negating growth and causing inflation.

Even the Supreme Court’s order to distribute foodgrains to the poor, fell on deaf ears. It shows that the government and the Opposition are not worried about the plight of the poor.

SC VAID, Greater Noida

The Lokpal controversy

The editorial, “Straws in the wind” (August 6), rightly stresses the point that “Anna team must work within limits”. It is certainly annoying to see Anna Hazare and his team burning copies of the Lokpal Bill, which has been introduced in Parliament for debate. They should be happy that the government has introduced the bill in the current session of Parliament.

Let Parliament function and take the right decision. Let Parliament decide whether the Prime Minister, MPs and the judiciary should be brought within the purview of the Lokpal. Team Anna should allow the democratic process to function. This will be in the interest of the nation and its citizens.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

A school with a difference
Generally, people do not prefer government schools for their children. But I have a different perception, which I developed gradually due to personal experience and observation.
My daughter, a special child, is a student of Government Model Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, Chandigarh. She has cleared her class X CBSE examination securing above average grades. This was possible because of the care taken not only by teachers of this school but also by the Principal, who took personal interest in this regard and asked her teachers to pay special attention to my daughter.
My daughter is a slow learner. But her teachers have never discouraged her. The school’s timetable had provision for home science, music and painting, which are normally not studied by students of class X.
When two years back, one of my friends had advised me to shift my daughter from a private school to a government school, I was a bit hesitant. But now that my daughter has joined this school, I feel I am fortunate, because my daughter has been provided an atmosphere in which she can thrive.
PREM LATA, Chandigarh