Cracking Hard Nuts

The statement given by Pakistan's Minister for Information, Sherry Rehman, during an in-camera briefing on national security, and the war on terror in Pakistan's National Assembly this week has raised many a hackle. If she is to be believed, Pakistan is in the centre of serious internal threats from a combination of Al-Qaida, Taliban and J&K terrorist outfits who want to take over the country. This statement is not entirely untrue as the Indian Security sources have confirmed that the reports of constant infiltration of Al-Qaida and Taliban elements are growing in the streets of Lahore and Karachi. In another report, a number of Taliban posters were seen in Karachi, declaring promises to provide a better government in Sindh if it comes to power. Recently, MQM leader Altaf Hussain said that more than 400,000 Talibanis had infiltrated into Karachi by now. It is too early to find out the secret outcome of the meeting between Mahmud Ali Durrani and M.K. Narayanan, both national security advisers of Pakistan and India held on 13th October, who had agreed for a joint terror mechanism.

The matter concerning terrorism generated by Al Qaida and Taliban has increased so much that even the commander-in-chief of NATO forces, deployed for taking up Al Qaida, has recently admitted that it's difficult to wipe out Al Qaida from Afganistan. Lots of manpower, money and weapons of high precision have been used by the NATO forces, yet the reports of growing Talibanisation of the border areas of Pak-Afghan are coming. Meanwhile, the occurring of bomb blasts, and killing of innocent people in Pakistan are now routine affairs. The people are making constant noise in Pakistan, asking their government to take effective measures to combat terrorism. It's very much evident from the behavior of the leaders of Pakistan that the govt. looks gloomy after the bomb explosion at Marriot.

If the situation persists like this, or is allowed to persist, then the day is not far when Pakistan would become a battleground between the Taliban and the modern people living there; a volatile neighbor would disturb the very composite lifestyle of India, and the western countries esp. the U.S. may perhaps see once again the doomsday at Manhattan ala 9/11. So what is the remedy? Do we allow this to happen and live an uncertain life at the mercy of God only? Are we so naive that we cannot handle the crisis and become prey at the hands of killers?

It's high time that the U.S. should organise a core committee that consists of military experts from the countries of Russia, China. Pakistan and India, and of course the US itself for taking the bull by the horns. By now, it's been conspicuous that the NATO army has failed in combating Al Qaida in the terrains of Afghanistan. The artillery forces of China and India running along the mountainous terrains have proved themselves unparalleled, and so they are the ones who can cause discomfort to the might of Al Qaida and exhaust them. To gain ground and information, one has to rely heavily on the Pakistani army. It's prudent to take military expertise from the largest country Russia also. The Al Qaida has grown up a Frankenstein, and couldn't be bottled easily. Putting the menace of Al Qaida out to graze, silly egoism needs to sit at the back. If these five powers take on the initiatives seriously, there is no doubt that the ascendancy of Al Qaida would be ceased in a month's time and may be erased from the land of Pak-Afghan within a period of six months.

If that cannot be done, the President of United States must uplift himself, exhibit courage and bomb nuclear weapons on the terrains of Afghanistan. Two more months are left for the President George Bush of holding the highest chair. At present, he is rated as one of the most unpopular Presidents of America. If he could muster courage and decide to bomb Al Qaida once and for all, he would at least be popular amongst a large section of people around the world.

Wake Up Countrymen and Face Terrorism

Terrorism brings in disarray. It jeopardizes the morale of the government, demoralizes the spirit of the people and destroys the backbone of the security machinery. The experts opine that there is nothing as such which can be called a time - tested formula for withholding the dastardly acts of the terrorists. In reality, the terrorist has to succeed only once in his 100 attempts, whereas the security personnel and the intelligence people have to divert all his hundred shots. During the last ten years, all major countries have been hit by the terrorists. It's a different matter that the developed countries are more efficient in handling the situation of terrorism, while countries like India and Pakistan are often seen as prey to the mights of terrorists.

After the serial bomb blasts of 9/13 in Delhi, the murmurs are heard that the laws of the land in tackling terrorism is inadequate. Honestly, laws involving all social evil seems to be inadequate. Is the dowry law adequate? Are the traffic laws full-proof? Whether the crime rates are deteriorating? No, every country has laws to manage its welfare as per the requirements. India, too has numerous laws to bully the law breakers. It had TADA, POTA, MACOCA to contain the terrorist elements, but how far we have been able to restrain the attackers? Indeed, the hard laws are needed. As the crimes push upward, the laws are required to be strengthened. But only making new laws or amending is not the solution for rebuffing the terrorism at bay. We need to do much more than making new laws. There are so many virulent acts in IPC to scare people, but do we not experience the henious crimes every often?

After every incidents of bomb blast, our indefatigable political parties continue to brawl on the blame game and the terrorist prepares for the next target. The people at large remains helpless and unwillingly waiting for the new blow to happen. Almost two decades have passed, we are in the grip of terrorist menace. From politicians to police to common man, all have tested the bitter pill sometime or the other. Yet they have not understood or they do not want to understand how to check these terrible invaders.

Until and unless the common people realise that they are the most vulnerable and they are the ones who should defy the challenges hurled by the terrorist groups, this evil would haunt them incessantly. Heaving a sigh of relief on knowing that one's kin is unharmed by the blast, makes a man look stupid as he does not really know that he could himself be succumbed to injuries next time.

It is not our only job to take accounts of the party in power. Let the government think and do its own job, and we involve in the process of defending ourselves and thereby give minimum chance to the hard - headed people to attack us. Remember, it is one of guerilla fight by them. If they do not find you from the back, they would inevitably come to face you from the front, and it would be easier for our force to nab them. Secondly, if the people fights its own war, no government can hide itself behind for long. It would then come out with all its might and dispaly its true power to contain the dark killer and pacify the people. They would then not be seen as ridiculed, as they look now.

The most important way to curtail terrorism would be by pre-emptive measures taken by the people itself. All the areas across the whole city can be divided into smaller segments. As we have seen the private Resident Welfare Association are providing the best of security measures and no untoward incidents have happened during the past years. If all the areas are divided into segments and private securities are provided in all the entry points, it would be difficult for trespassing. Every people residing in the are are bound to spend for the security. The market places would be the responsibility of the shopowners. The time has come when everyone should spend some money on his security as well, like he spends for health, education for the children, and comfortable transport. When one can pay for his health and education, is it not viable that he must now spend for his precious life?

Apart from this, the city people may also follow 10 commandments, stated below, in a stringent way on a daily basis:
1) Avoid visiting renowned market places at bustling hours;
2) Avoid commuting by overcrowded public transport;
3) Be vigilant, notify any suspicious person to the police;
4) Do not allow your young children to move alone. Give them protection;
5) Teach others how one can be alert all the time;
6) Avoid visting temples on festival days for long hours.
7) Keep discouraging youths from visiting busy market places and cinema halls;
8) Shout, if you see anything objectionable;
9) Do not entertain anyone you do not know. The terrorist may disguise as a friend.
10) And be brave to takle any eventuality.

Friends, it is India, where human life is cheaper than any other worldly things. What an act of derision it is, where most people assume the existence of their constitutional right of freedom to live, as fact, and thereby forces our government to amuse wryly at the naiveness of the people?