Author: A.R. Kanangi
Publication: Afternoon Despatch & Courier
Date: July 15, 2006
URL: http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=editorials&xfile=July2006_roundup_standard144&child=roundup
Introduction: We have to fight the forces
of terror unleashed by Pakistan. Worse still, we have also to fight the enemy
within - who is aiding and collaborating with terror outfits in Pakistan and
posing a threat to life of citizens and security of the nation
Two months ago, Zainuddin Ansari and two other
terrorists who were involved in the storage of explosives in Marathwada stayed
in the MLA hostel for a couple of hours. How did they gain entry into the
place? Have the police found out whose guests they were?
Suspicion pointed to three members of the
legislature who are stated to have given their assistance to the terrorists
to obtain accommodation. From this single incident, it becomes clear that
terrorists operating in India have contact and support even from persons in
high circles of influence.
After the seizure of RDX, other explosives,
and A.K. guns in Maharashtra, there appears to have been some investigation.
It has been established that there are quite a few LeT operatives working
in close association with some members of the banned SIMI. There are many
sleeper terror cells in different parts of the state. Quite a few of the terrorists
are trained in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Some Bangladeshis in the city have
close connection with Bangladesh jehadis who are directly involved with international
terror organisations like the Al-Qaida. According to a top official, quite
a few terrorists run cybercafes, transport services. Some are homoeopaths.
After the seizure of explosives two months
ago, the police should have made serious, greater efforts to deal with the
terror menace in Maharashtra. It was clear that there was more explosives
and arms stored away and that the terrorists were waiting for a chance to
strike. According to a newspaper report, a captured LeT man had revealed that
the terrorists were planning to set off bomb blasts at railway stations in
Mumbai. A warning should have been issued to train passengers about the possible
attack. And they should have been told to take at least minimum precautions
like keeping their bags with themselves instead of on the luggage rack. It
is terrifying to realise that there is a well-organised, well-ensconsed terror
network in the state.
Pakistan based terrorist groups have succeeded
in recruiting quite a large number of Indians to carry out their hate agenda.
For unemployed young folks, it is a good opportunity to earn money. There
is no ideology, principle or religion involved in this. It is essentially
a money matter.
Behind all the terror operations is the unseen
hand of Pakistan.
The Finance Minister of Pakistan has admitted
this. He has said in a statement from New York that incidents like this week's
bomb blasts in Mumbai will continue to occur so long as the dispute between
India and Pakistan over Kashmir is not resolved.
This is a clear admission of Pakistan backed
terror operations in India.
The Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI is
extending its terror operations beyond Kashmir. The ISI of course is taking
orders from General Musharraf and it must be spending crores on terror operations
in India. General Musharraf swears he wants peace with India and that the
peace process must go on, but all the while he is adopting violent means and
promoting terror. He is quite aware, for instance, that there are terror groups
which are very active in his country, but he is taking action against only
those which are targetting western countries. In fact, it is certain that
he is actually financing the terror outfits based in Pakistan. There are camps
in Pakistan which are training terrorists.
Terror is an all-time activity in Pakistan.
It is part - major part - of the General's Kashmir programme.
There is a growing threat to national security.
Terror has come to our nation's door and some
folks inside have let it in.
This should be a matter for grave concern.
Involved is a life and death issue.
How long are we going to see bombs tearing
people to bits, the flow of innocent blood?
Tuesday's horror will not be the last. It
can happen again. If we do not take immediate, purposeful action, it will.
The government has to play a big part in this.
It is time we stopped busting the so-called sex rackets in five-star hotels,
putting ban on bar dancing and carrying on moral crusades. A lot of police
energy and time is wasted on these non-issues.
What is immediately, urgently needed is full
focus on terror. Strengthen the anti-terror squad. Top priority must be given
to measures for fighting terror. Maybe we have to spend a lot of money, but
we have no choice.
It is time the government woke up to existing
actualities. The terror we face today is quite different from the kind of
terror perpetrated by Dawood Ibrahim. That was a one-time operation. This
is likely to be a long-drawn horror - a permanent menace.
We have to fight the forces of terror unleashed
by Pakistan. Worse still, we have to also fight the enemy within - who is
aiding and collaborating with terror outfits in Pakistan and posing a threat
to the life of innocent citizens and the security of the nation.
Why Western and not Central Railway?
Why did the terrorists target stations between
Matunga Road and Borivali and not between Dadar and Churchgate? Why did they
select the Western Railway and not the Central Railway? And why did they carry
out the blasts in First Class and not Second Class compartments?
The answers to these questions may not be
easy to find, but one thing is certain: the men who killed over 200 and injured
some 800 people had no religious motives. They killed people belonging to
all religions - Muslims, Christians, Hindus and others. It made no difference
to them - the religion of the victims did not matter at all.
Why the Western Railway stations and not the
Central? Maybe they were familiar with the Western Railway stations and also
those between Matunga and Borivali. Maybe they stay in the western suburbs
of Mumbai.
But a newspaper had quite a hilarious explanation.
It said that the terrorists wanted to have revenge on Gujarathis' who, it
was reported, travelled in First Class and resided in the western suburbs.
Gujarathis reside mostly in Vile Parle but
this station was not attacked. And Matunga? No Gujarathi gets into the train
at Matunga.
And how many Gujarathis stay in Bandra? It
is also quite weird to suggest that only Gujarathis travel by First Class.
At the peak period, you find not only Gujarathis but also Parsis, Marathi-speaking
people, Christians, Biharis, Kannadigas, Tamilians, Punjabis, Bengalis in
the First Class coach.
And how have passengers reacted on the day
after? Some First Class passengers travelled by the Second Class. A large
number of people stayed at home. And those who ventured out and came to stations,
entered the train - anxious and scared. The trains were not crowded - even
during the peak period. No passenger kept his bag on the luggage rack - a
precaution that should have been taken long ago.
The Western Railway deserves high praise.
In just 12 hours, everything was made normal. The next morning itself, all
the trains were back on the cleared track.
Mumbai bounced back in no time at all. Not
because of the indomitable spirit of Mumbaikars, but because of the compulsions
of everyday living. Anyway, we don't have to prove to the terrorists we cannot
be beaten.
