The report that Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and four others lost their lives in a helicopter crash while flying from Tawang to Itanagar is saddening. Less than two years ago, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy died in a similar accident. Aviation security norms should be strictly implemented. The recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee chaired by Sitaram Yechury should be considered seriously. Political leaders should take the advice of pilots on weather conditions in the right spirit.
Viraj Deshpande,
New Delhi
Both the crew and political leaders should display the utmost responsibility. If the weather is inclement and not conducive for travel, it is better to postpone it rather than risk the lives of everyone on board.
R. Ramanathan,
Coimbatore
The death of Chief Minister Khandu was shocking. More shocking was the lack of media coverage. When his helicopter went missing, the news was obscured by the Air India pilots strike. Then came the killing of Osama bin Laden. Of course, Osama's killing was international news but that should not have undermined the news about a missing Chief Minister.
T. Charles John Bhaskar,
Chennai
