Editor,
The ‘ Red Light ‘ culture was very prevalent and dominated our social lives often making us feel like minions in front of a VIP or so-called ” VVIPs .” The decision by the BJP led government at the Centre to do away with VVIP culture has been hailed as a great change pan-India since that practice has evolved from the British era-slave mentality to an equal society where everyone is at par. The Congress could not do this because it was saddled with a Nehruvian-Mountbatten attitude of treating the electorate like subjects. This is an eye-opener that we are all equal in this democratic nation no matter how high or low we are.
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-
Act of barbarism
Editor,
Pakistan Army has once again proven to be criminal-minded and barbaric. They carried out unprovoked rocket and mortar firing on forward posts of LOC in Krishna Ghati Sector. It is an unsoldierly act by the Pak army, where the bodies of two of our soldiers in the patrol were mutilated. Such inhuman attacks do not happen even during a war. It was a pre-planned operation of the Pakistan Army while Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) set up an ambush to target the patrol party of the Indian soldiers over 250 meters deep thick vegetation inside Indian territory. But BAT is Pakistan’s Border Action Team which carries out cross border operations and raids across the Line of Control. They are experts in guerrilla tactics. Terrorists are included in BAT so that Pakistan can disown them when caught. Pakistan is a habitual offender and has been committing such heinous acts in Baluchistan too.
India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire along the LoC but the latter has frequently violated the ceasefire. Pakistani troops routinely target Indian posts, often to give cover to militants trying to cross over. The situation along the LoC has always been tense. A number of civilian and military casualties have occurred on both sides in cross-border shelling and firing incidents. A befitting retaliatory military action like surgical strike is not just the solution. Diplomatic options are still wide open. India granted MFN status to Pakistan since 1996. Uprising in Kashmir also made India feel international pressure. Islamabad has always been vocal for the human rights and the resolution of the Kashmiris. But in reality, Pakistan is practising cross-border terrorism. India must decide tactfully to put paid to Pakistan’s game plan.
Yours etc.
Kamal Baruah,
Via email
Kashmir on the boil!
Editor,
This refers to your editorial “Atrocities again” (ST- May 4, 2017). It is distressing that Kashmir is always on the boil. The issue of Kashmir is a chronic one, and has festered nearly three quarters of a century. Those familiar with Kashmir’s history would be aware that violence in Jammu and Kashmir generally tends to come in “waves”. One’s imagination failed to understand that Kashmir has been boiling with discontent for years and there has been no effort to assess the problem. Problems are due to the insincere and inept polity. Unrest in Kashmir reveals the failures of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party. The killings reveal the fact that the real power in Kashmir lay not with the state’s elected government, but with the security forces. Slogans are becoming the main instigators of violence even though sloganeering has been a part of long cherished history of the world. The security forces do not appear to be following standard operating procedures. Whenever there is a riot, there are plenty of ways in which the situation can be dealt with. The country needs a tough law to curb the misuse of information technology. India always thought that peace can be achieved by sincerely addressing grievances. India must take its cue from those instances and solve the Kashmiri challenge once and for all. Countries across the world must unite to fight terror so that the innocent people of Kashmir can live in peace and not in pieces.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad – 15