Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Horror in Hyderabad

Saturday’s bomb blasts in Hyderabad that claimed 40 lives and injured several others are yet another reminder that a few terrorists are out to create death and confusion in their attempt to destabilise the nation. It is no use blaming any “foreign hand.” It is up to us to defend ourselves despite the attempts of the terrorists who always pick soft targets. Such an act is nothing but sheer cowardice but that’s how these people work. Despite the best efforts, it would be impossible to predict where and when they will strike. There is no substitute to strengthening intelligence and beefing up security. Ordinary people too have a role in detecting possible terrorist acts and alerting the security agencies about the suspicious movement of people and packages left unattended for a while.

D.B.N. Murthy,

Bangalore

That two such incidents have occurred in less than 100 days in Hyderabad is a cause for concern. According to media reports, the Intelligence Bureau did warn the State police about the possibility of an attack. It is sad that the authorities concerned did not give credence to the reports and take precautionary measures.

H.P. Murali,

Bangalore

It is a matter of serious concern that the perpetrators managed to plant high-explosive devices in Lumbini Park, one of the two place targeted, that is so close to the State Secretariat. At least now, dequate security cover should be provided at places where people gather in large numbers.

R. Murali Kumar,

Srirangam

The ease, speed, and regularity with which terrorists of all hues have been able to strike in India is astonishing. The authorities, well protected themselves, simply condemn these incidents and ask us not get worried. They also assure us that security will be strengthened, forgetting that this was exactly what happened after the last such incident.

A. Ananthakrishnan,

Chennai

The weekend blasts in two crowded places reflect badly on the intelligence and security set-up. Terror has to be tackled with an iron hand. Can we not take a cue from the situation in the U.S. after the attacks on the World Trade Center?

B.H. Shanmukhappa,

Davanagere

Along with expressions of anguish over the bomb blasts there has also been some relief that a large number of explosive devices found in the city on Saturday did not explode. Can those who manufacture such sophisticated bombs be so naive as to plant many devices that could be detected unexploded? Was this done on purpose?

M. Verma,

Thiruvananthapuram

The blasts were well planned and clearly designed to create panic. The involvement of a “foreign hand” cannot be ruled out. The calm and harmony maintained by Hyderabadis after the incident deserves praise.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai,

Vazhavallan

The incident is to be strongly condemned by all. Public involvement is necessary to contain such crimes. Those responsible should be hunted down and dealt with severely. It is time for all, particularly the people of Hyderabad, to unitedly fight this menace.

C.V. Nirmlarajan,

Chennai

Terrorism cannot be eliminated unless we go into the origin of the problem. All hostels and schools run on religious or caste basis should be closed; our children should be allowed to grow in a spirit of oneness. We can at least make sure that the next generation does not take the wrong path.

M.A. Sastry,

Hyderabad

I wholeheartedly condemn the Hyderabad blasts. People who indulge in such criminal acts, in fact, have no faith, no religion.

Prakash Pandey,

New Delhi

It would be naive to expect the state to provide protection to all its subjects from the designs of such elements. The state too has its limitations. Nevertheless, the situation can still be brought under control if our politicians sacrifice their vote bank politics and help the government bravely and pre-emptively deal with the breeding grounds of the terrorists. Those in power should remember that they too, like the members of the public, are not out of reach of the terrorists.

Sambi Reddy Endreddy,

Hyderabad

One can see no specific agenda behind Saturday’s blasts barring that of disrupting peace and creating panic with absolute disdain for human lives. While a sense of outrage at the state leadership or intelligence authorities in failing to foil the attack is understandable, Hyderabadis, as they have done in the past, need to display resilience in overcoming the crisis.

Suresh Manoharan,

Hyderabad

The blasts showed the deep inroads terrorist groups have made into Hyderabad. It is time for all people irrespective of political ideologies and religious affiliations to be united in the face of this grave crisis. In particular, the police and other investigating agencies should be allowed a free hand in dealing with the situation.

K.M. Lakshmana Rao,

Visakhapatnam

It was a total failure of the State Government’s Intelligence Wing for which the Government should take the blame. The people are fed up with standard assurances that such acts would not be allowed to recur. A government that drags its feet when called to act in times of crisis has no right to stay in power.

Baru Rajendra Prasad,

Hyderabad

Yet another ruthless act. The Government has to be doubly careful in security aspects particularly in cities.

Rajesh Prabu Radhakrishnan,

Bahrain

M.V. Nagavender Rao,

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Every such incident in the country causing distress, death, and destruction to property is almost inevitably followed by colourless, passionless statements from those in authority to the effect that it is a cowardly act, an international conspiracy, etc. Every such act is also followed by an increase in the security for politicians who are already well protected.

M.L. Kanth Rao,

Hyderabad

Now, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and others will declare that the perpetrators will be punished. The media will praise the resilience of the Hyderabadis the way they praised the resilience of the people of Mumbai, Delhi, Varanasi, Coimbatore and other places that have been the target of such attacks. The hue and cry will die down soon and the incident will be forgotten — until the next attack.

N. Mohan,

Chennai

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