M A I L B A G

Time to arrest increasing mob violence

Arson, loot, stone pelting, burning of private vehicles and other property are on the increase in the country. Bomb blasts in Hyderabad, arson in many towns in Haryana, torching of 10 trucks in Agra, police brutality in Bihar, and the lynching of 10 people in Bihar are too serious to be ignored.

Unfortunately, our politicians have divided society into castes and tribes to strengthen their own rote banks. This social division is leading to hatred and violence in our otherwise peaceful communities.

The police, instead of maintaining law and order and providing security to the general public, is only protecting the ministers, MPs, MLAs, senior bureaucrats and their families. Our intelligence agencies are unable to provide advance information to the police to help prevent such incidents. The agencies are generally diverted from their primary responsibility and misused by the politicians in power to spy on their opponents.

Brig D.S. SIDHU (retd), Patiala

II

The editorial, “Arson in Agra” (Aug 31) rightly highlighted the grave situation of goons making a mockery of law and order and the inconvenience caused to the common man on the street because of them.

Actually, both the Muslims and the Dalits are the pampered pets of the politicians because they vote en bloc. Goons of both these sections know that because of the political patronage they enjoy, the law enforcing agencies cannot take them to task. In the process, the nation suffers.

After the riots, the politicians are quick to announce handsome relief packages to the victims of police firing, if the police opens fire to quell the disturbances. This also acts as an incentive for the Muslims and the Dalit goons to create situations where police is forced to open fire. The ultimate sufferers are the honest taxpayers who are forced to cough up more taxes to create money for relief packages.

A.K. SHARMA, Chandigarh

III

Incidents of people taking to the streets and indulging in arson are on the rise. Very recently, after a mishap in Gurgaon involving some Kanwarias, people indulged in arson. They damaged or burnt Haryana Roadways buses. There is a general impression that no agitation is considered successful unless the traffic is blocked and some public vehicles are burnt or damaged. One may recall how many vehicles were burnt during the Gujjars’ strike in Rajasthan demanding the Scheduled Tribe reservation for them.

Ek achetan vastu sadhan aur sukh pardan karti hai to usko nuksan pahuchana paap hai. As Kanwarias were on a religious mission, their involvement in such acts of violence is shameful.

No latitude should be shown towards those damaging public property. Tough punishment needs to be given to them so that it will act as a strong deterrent.

O.P. GARG, Patiala

Wake-up call for voters Dr S.S. Johl’s article, “Punjab empty coffers” (Aug 29) is thought provoking and a wake-up call to the voters. He has laid bare the facts and figures to prove how Punjab, once a prosperous state, has been financially ruined by the self-serving politicians. The only aim of the political parties - be it the Congress, the Akali Dal or the BJP - is to gain and retain power by fair or foul means. They promise the moon before elections, feed the people with pep talk while in power and play the tricks of the trade such as free electricity to the farmers. It is only the rich farmers who can avail themselves of such freebies and this has rendered the PSEB beyond repair. But then, the people should blame themselves for the malady. It is we, the voters, who have elected them by overlooking their pathetic track record. The only way forward, before it is too late, is to show the corrupt politician the door by electing upright and selfless intellectuals and economists of repute. We should elect those who don’t hanker for power and pelf and sincerely committed to improve the state economy. We have many Mukesh Sharmas (the famed tehsildar) among our bureaucrats to help such leaders arrest the degradation and to pull the economy out of the mess it has landed in. Lt (IN) SUKHDEV SINGH GILL (retd), Jagraon

Asia Cup victory

The fantastic match was reminiscent of the seventies when India was playing top-class hockey. The talents of Ajit Pal Singh, Govinda, Phillip and Bhaskaran were brought alive by the present team. Well done, boys!

We should support our players with career, money and opportunities. A game dominated by India for several decades in the past can be easily revived because there is no dearth of talent among our players as our Asia Cup proves. The media, the government and the corporate world should come forward to help establish an institution in which we can spot hockey talent and groom the boys for the future. The IHF should be made more democratic and professional so that the former players too can play a useful and effective role in its growth.

V.A. KRISHNAN, Mohali

One-sided version

I read the editorial, “Generally scandalous” (Sept 7). Generalising an isolated incident, that too, with one-sided version about a senior Army officer, is bad. Maj-Gen Lal is a very fine officer. He reprimanded the lady officer, Capt Neha Rawat, for her objectionable behaviour and this is a sequel to the incident.

The media should not misuse its freedom. The recent sting operation falsely implicating a Delhi school teacher proves that the media should not comment on anything till allegations are proved. It should not blow an incident out of proportion without ascertaining facts.

Capt AMAR JEET KUMAR (retd), Mohali