Vidya Subrahmaniam's article “Investigating the investigation” (Aug. 6) was insightful and timely. None can and should condone acts of terrorism. But shunning the democratic processes and circumventing the rule of law are no way of tackling them. Public anger at acts of terror is justified. One can understand the media reaction. But the danger lies in finding fault with the law-enforcing agencies for not bringing imagined culprits to book. In the frenzy that follows a terror strike, it is possible that the police, under pressure, go after innocent citizens and lose sight of the real culprits. Their action may assuage people's feelings temporarily but, in the long run, it is the terrorist who will have the last laugh.
E.A.S. Sarma,
Visakhapatnam
The article only confirms our worst fears. In the name of preventing terror, some policemen violate the basic tenets of the Constitution and destroy the secular fabric of our nation.
It is indeed heartening to note that the judiciary has started engaging itself proactively to challenge these elements, no matter how high and mighty.
Sushil Adlakha,
Chennai
Police fabricate evidence in cases of terrorism to produce quick results. As a consequence, innocent people are harassed, tortured, and even killed in false encounters. Those responsible for creating such false cases should be given severe punishment.
M. Anil Reddy,
Hyderabad
Arbitrary arrests and fabrication of evidence will not help in checking the growing incidence of terrorism and violence. They will only hurt the group or faith to which an alleged offender belongs, and lead to their disillusionment with the system. No words, political sops or material compensation will help to bring any individual or group once hurt that way back into the mainstream. In this context, it makes profound sense not to tarnish the image of a community if a terrorist or an agent provocateur belongs to it. Well-thought-out public responses and professionalism on the part of the law-enforcing agencies alone can serve as an effective antidote to fanaticism and terrorism.
S. Balu,
Madurai
