L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Take a lesson

Apropos the article “Anatomy of a tragedy” by Pratibha Chauhan (Sunday Tribune, June 29), the probe has rightly brought out the serious lapses on the part of the state administration. Had the safety and security measures been in place, the ghastly tragedy would have been averted. While ministers from Hyderabad and Delhi rushed to Mandi to be with the kin of the deceased, none of the three ministers from Mandi cared to visit the spot. Being a tourist destination, Himachal can’t afford to be lackadaisical about its guests.

RM Ramaul, Paonta Sahib

Lopsided view

Raj Chengappa’s article “Good start, Rajnath must now push hard and fast” (Ground Zero; Sunday Tribune, June 29) is a misleading intellectual exercise to cover up the real cause of Left-Wing Extremism. It mentions only Maoist violence but conceals the violence unleashed by the police and paramiltary forces and state-sponsored criminal gangs like Salwa Judum. Why has the Indian state failed to deliver basic amenities to the tribal people? Why are the sole beneficiaries of development only bureaucrats, politicians and the elite?

Buta Singh, Nawanshahr

II

Every government claims to pursue the policy of ‘no negotiation’ with insurgents, but it is evident that some political leaders exploit the situation for political benefits. Many years have past, but no government has formulated a concrete plan to root out insurgency. What sort of a planning is this when sometimes untrained and ill-equipped forces are rushed for operation against well-trained and well-armed insurgents?

Sanjay Srivastava, Chandigarh

Heal how?

As a Kashmiri Pandit, who lost home, hearth and roots 25 years ago, I dread to think of living those moments again (“Can the Pandits go home finally?” by Aditi Tandon; Sunday Tribune, June 29). The youth could not shape its future nor contribute to social issues. It lost 25 years in despair and frustration. Those born after 1985 can barely relate to the Muslim Kashmir. Only a handful of retired persons are speaking of returning, believing they would contribute to the political game! Can one compensate the community for the lost years; its aspirations and hopes? Trifurcate J&K into Kashmir State (with Article 370), Jammu State (without Article 370) and union territory of Ladakh with connectivity through Lahaul. This will give space and opportunity to all three — Kashmiris, Dogras and Ladakhis.

Rajnath Bhat, Varanasi

Showing the way

Reference to “Meet the changemakers” (Spectrum, June 29), these young cultivated minds are imbued with a strong desire for social justice. They have sacrificed lucrative careers to use their entrepreneurial skills to improve the lives of rural people. Their noble ventures should inspire others.

DS Kang, Hoshiarpur

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