- Anil Narendra
Whenever Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram say that the culprits of Mumbai bomb blasts will not be spared, people just don’t care about it, as they have become immune to such statements. Manmohan Singh had uttered these words before the Mumbaikars on 26 November 2008. What has this government done since then? Nothing, but just hollow assurances. People of Mumbai have been frustrated with these empty assurances. They are also fed up with candle marches, peace marches and human chains. People want some action against the culprits. Learn from America. The day al-Qaeda attacked America on 28/11, it had taken a pledge of not resting in peace till Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda are eliminated. No doubt it took US ten long years to complete this task, but it proved that it is true to its intentions and it has the will to carry out its pledge. It took rest only after penetrating enemy’s den and destroying it. A man learns from experiences and make future amends on the basis of the lessons learnt. That is why Britain, Spain and other Western countries have been able to foil terrorist attempts by maintaining constant alert. They are successful as they follow a zero tolerance policy towards terrorism, which means, they are not going to tolerate even a single terror act, whereas in our country, such attacks continue and we, on our part, also continue to issue empty threats. Hon’ble Home Minister, Mumbai has been the target of 8 bomb blasts during the period from 12 March 1993 to July 2011 and 682 persons have lost their lives in these attacks. Do you know the number of persons killed in terror-related incidents has almost equaled to that of terror killings in Karachi and Kabul. About 394 persons have been killed in terrorist acts in Mumbai alone since 2005, while 500 persons were killed in Karachi and 520 in Kabul during the same period. If we consider total terror deaths in Maharashtra, then this figure comes to 506. Your weak policies have made Mumbai, one of the most dangerous city of the world to live in. Chidambaram had announced the creation of National Investigation Agency-NIA with much fanfare. What has your NIA achieved? If we consider five other attacks, then it appears that the achievements of your NIA have been negative. We are still clueless about the five incidents in various parts of the country after the Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11. It is strange, when we consider that the investigation of three out of these five terror incidences is being carried out by the NIA. The mystery of German Bakery blast of Pune on 13 February, blast in Chinnaswamy Stadium just before the IPL match on 17 April, firing in Jama Masjid area in last September, blast at Delhi High Court and Varanasi bomb blasts has remained unsolved till date. Mr Chidambaram may recall his much-talked about announcement that the NIA was created with the objective of solving terror-related cases all over the country. The agency was entrusted with the solving the mystery behind Jama Masjid and Varanasi blasts, but there has been not even an indication of success in these cases. Similarly, local police is continuing with the investigations in the High Court and German Bakery incidents, but, as usual, there is still no break through. One person has been arrested in this regard, but the ATS has been unable to prove his involvement. The needle of suspicion in this matter points to terror organization, Indian Mujahidin, but the Agency is yet to produce any reliable evidence regarding its involvement. In a few instances, even if the case reaches the Court, it is rejected there for want of credible evidence. The reason is that the investigating agencies collect evidence in such an irresponsible manner that these are not firmly maintainable in the Courts. Advocates connected with the bomb blast cases in the Courts all over the country also confirm the negligent non-professional attitude of investigating agencies towards collecting of evidence, which is one of the reason why the accused are acquitted by the Courts, who, in turn come heavily on the agencies, but the agencies revert back to their non-professional mode of working. There have been instances, where false cases have been initiated on the basis of forcible confessions. The UPA government scrapped TADA in a haste, but it has not been able to replace it with an effective law that may ensure that culprits are brought to book. There is still no special law to deal with the terrorism that has become a serious threat for the security of the nation. There have been 21 minor or major terror-related incidents during the period from October 2005 to 7 December 2010.
Pakistan is involved with these latest Mumbai blasts in some way or the other. The American media has also been saying the same thing. Reacting on these blasts, the American media has said that these blasts have once again raised doubts about the effectiveness of action being taken by Pakistan against terrorist organizations and LeT, is considered to be the mastermind behind these blasts, which had also been responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks,. Whatever may be the outcome of the investigations, but one thing is clear that in spite of pressure from the international community on Pakistan, this organization is still operating from its soil, while the government of India, instead of taking any strong steps, is extending hand of friendship towards Pakistan. What to talk of punishment to the culprits, the government of India has even failed to impress upon Pakistan to expedite hearing of the Mumbai accused. We fail to understand the logic behind talks with Pakistan. There has been no improvement in Pakistan’s attitude. They are still pursuing terrorism as state policy. Metro city centres like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore are still on the hit list of Pak-supported terror orgnisations. These blasts are not going to stop till we adopt a zero tolerance policy. We shall not tolerate even a single act of terror. Our Prime Minister or Home Minister lack the courage to talk about LeT or Indian Mujahideen being behind these attacks or even indicate their involvement in these attacks. Indian Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba are hand in gloves with each other. The government has not succeeded in getting permission from Pakistan to interrogate the masterminds of Mumbai attacks, whereas it has kept the lone surviving terrorist Kasab alive and Afzal Guru has also been kept as a showpiece. Why the government is afraid of hanging Afzal Guru, which can, otherwise give a clear message to the terrorists? Today, we remember Julius Reberio and KPS Gill, who had indicated to Punjab terrorists in no uncertain terms that if they kill one person, they will retaliate with killing ten and bullet will be replied by bullet. Punjab was not freed from terrorism by chance. There was a solid strategy working behind it. Will to act by the government was there and security forces had been given a free hand in taking action against the terrorists.
People of the country are fed up by the weak government policies in combating terrorism. It may not be untrue, if we say that the people have reached to the zero tolerance level. For how long the Mumbai residents will have to live under the fear of such terrorism? Why even a single terror act be tolerated? People are fed up of hearing that we are living in a dangerous neighbourhood. They are fed up of assurances of punishment to the culprits. They need guarantee of security, so that they can lead a life, free of fear. No doubt, it is necessary for them to revert back to normal life, but it doesn’t mean that they are ready to accept all types of nonsense. Had any leader been the victim of such a terror attack, would the government had adopted the same attitude? It is the poor, defenceless and innocent people who are always the victims, but the government would have to understand the mood of the public. Public is crying, “enough is enough”.
Tags: 13/7, 26/11, Afzal Guru, Anil Narendra, Bomb Blast, Daily Pratap, Indian Mujahideen, Kasab, Lashkar e Toeba, Manmohan Singh, NIA, P. Chidambaram, Pakistan, Politician, Terrorist, Vir Arjun
