M A I L B A G

Tackling the scourge of terrorism

The bomb blasts at Hyderabad, Ajmer, Ludhiana and later at Karachi in Pakistan indicates that terrorists continue to have a field day (Editorial, “What Ajmer teaches”, Oct 13). While the terrorists strike at the place and the time of their choice, the security and intelligence agencies remain clueless about their nefarious activities and fail to pre-empt their acts.

The government’s usual knee-jerk reaction is to blame some obscure terrorist outfits without having any solid proof of their involvement in the blasts. Not to be left behind, politicians try to resort to soft-pedalling, politicising and communalising their misdeeds depending upon which way they suit their partisan ends.

The result of our wrong approach to this serious problem is there for all to see. Emboldened terrorists are spreading their tentacles and killing human beings with impunity all over the country. The sectarian violence also threatens inter-community harmony and trust.

TARSEM SINGH, New Delhi

II

The editorial, “Challenges from terrorism” (Oct 22) throws light on the complex political situation emerging in Pakistan. Ms Benazir Bhutto, with a liberal image, is facing a tough time in her country and the same is the case with General Musharraf.

The need of the hour is to first concentrate on eliminating terrorism from Pakistan. Terrorism is the weapon prepared by Pakistan to bleed India. However, this has boomeranged on Pakistan, causing deep-rooted problems for that country. If both Mrs Bhutto and General Musharraf joined hands, they may succeed in tackling the terrorist menace in Pakistan.

JASLEEN SINGH, Bathinda

III

The demand for the resignation of the Union Home Minister and the Punjab Chief Minister following the bomb blast at Ludhiana is unjust and unfair. India has been experiencing the terrorist menace for quite some time. We faced major terrorist attacks like the one on Parliament, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Akshardham and Raghunath temple unitedly.

Terrorism is a worldwide phenomenon. Following 9/11, several liberal democracies of the West framed new laws to deal with terrorism. There are numerous UN resolutions calling member states to root out the menace. We need special laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) to deal with special crimes like terrorism.

S.S. JAIN, Chandigarh

IV

I strongly believe that we can root out terrorism from our soil soon. What we see these days in the form of bomb blasts are, no doubt, temporary setbacks for the government. But if we are united and there is strict vigil by the law and order enforcement authorities, we can root out the menace. Terrorists have, in fact, brought us closer and they are bound to lose their nefarious game one day.

JASPREET K. PAHWA, Ludhiana

Buying a house in Delhi Buying a house in Delhi is a major problem. The Delhi government has been a total failure in providing shelter to the Delhiites. The steep rise in the prices of property has shattered the dreams of the middle classes though the rates are artificial and managed by property dealers, especially in the upcoming cities in Delhi and NCR. Most properties are hoarded by the dealers. The government has done little to curb this artificial hike. If one wants to sell one’s property, the dealer will first quote a lower rate but if he/she is a purchaser, then buying a house is a punishment. The government allots a few flats whereas there are thousands in the waiting list. Our politicians are just busy in angling for media coverage for dengue and malaria eradication programmes. They have funds for all these unwanted acts, but there is always paucity of funds for starting a housing project. Shall we blame the government for this or the innocent voters who believe that they are using their precious votes rightly? P.M. JHANGIANI, New Delhi

Camp court needed

The Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has set up mobile courts in Haryana and Punjab. The Union Government and the Supreme Court feel that justice will have to be provided to the poor people at their doorsteps.

Surprisingly, however, this principle is not adopted in the Fazilka subdivision. The litigants cover a distance of 135 km from Fazilka to reach Ferozepore, the district headquarters, to attend the judicial courts. They are forced to return in the night. People are harassed day in and day out.

I request the High Court Chief Justice to set up a camp court of the District and Sessions Judge at Fazilka at least twice a week. The Chief Minister should provide necessary funds and other facilities for the purpose. It is only then that the people will get justice at their doorsteps.

RAJESH KUMAR ANGI, Advocate, Fazilka

Keep it clean

The Ambala Cantonment bus stand is an important junction for different routs in Haryana. However, the approaching area to the bus stand presents a very ugly look. Heaps of garbage greet the bus stand users. What are the sanitation staff doing? The authorities concerned need to rise to the occasion and take effective measures to keep the area in and out of the bus stand neat and clean.

SUNIL MINOCHA, Chandigarh

Role of judiciary

The basic principle in a democracy is that the people are supreme. The Constitution has, no doubt, been created by the people. But this instrument has itself created the courts, which implies that the people in their wisdom realised that there must be a forum where disputes between the people could be resolved and grievances of the people addressed peacefully.

If there is no forum to resolve the disputes and redress the grievances of the people peacefully, they will be resolved by the people violently by taking law into their hands. Hence, the imperative need for judiciary.

By giving a hearing to a person having a grievance, and by giving a verdict on the basis of settled principles, the courts redress the grievances of the aggrieved persons. Otherwise, the grievance may erupt violently. Thus, the judiciary maintains peace in society and no society can do without it.

S. P. SINGH, Advocate, Panchkula

Coaches with toilets

Five passenger trains run between Ambala Cantonment and Nangal Dam via Sirhid and Chandigarh. These trains stop only for two to three minutes at different stations. The duration of the journey between the two stations is about four hours. Coaches attached to these trains don’t have toilets. As a result, passengers, especially senior citizens, women and children face problems. I appeal to the Railway Minister to provide coaches with toilets on this section.

M. C. SHARMA, Ambala Cantonment