Mailbag

Flush out militants

Sir,

The incidents of massacre of nineteen innocent persons including five Village Defence Committee (V.D.C) members and four GREF personnel in village Lohata of Doda district and Mandi district Poonch by armed militants are not first of its kind. Alone in the past one month more than 60 persons have lost their lives in five such incidents at various places in the J&K State. The re-occurrence of such incidents cannot be ruled out in future.

These incidents are part of game plan of Pakistan Government, its Inter State Intelligence (ISI) and terrorist groups sponsored by it for fomenting trouble, hatred, illwill and suspicion among Hindus, Muslims living with peace and harmony from time immemorial in the J&K State and also elsewhere in the country by exploiting their emotions and religious sentiments on communal lines and disturb the peaceful atmosphere. So far they have failed to achieve this objective.

We have every appreciation for the common people of J&K State and elsewhere in India especially those living in the areas where such incidents occurred. These incidents have however, exposed the hollow and tall claims of both central and state governments for restoration of normalcy in the state.

We are also worried over the present security scenario in the state. The militants, as is evident, from the above facts have the capability and capacity to strike at any place whatsoever at their will. The reports of fresh infiltration in the twin district of Poonch-Rajouri continue to pour in through print media which also acknowledges the presence of armed militants along the entire Pirpanjal ridge line spread over from Poonch to Doda district. The Government of India is maintaining studied silence on this sensitive issue and has not so far taken any step to flushout militants from this area despite migration of people from the area. In case the Govt. continues the present policy the time is not far away when another Kargil will be repeated in this area. The Government will have no excuse to offer at that time.

Yours etc...
Sain Dass Sumbria
126 Pacci Dakki, Jammu.

Team spirit

Sir,

Successful life in itself is the result of ''Team spirit''. Indian Cricket team lacked team spirit and they lost the prestigious world cup. Not only cricket but at every stage of life team spirit is must. Whether it is class room office home playing field or battle field. Where there is team spirit, success is evident. It was the team spirit that our forces pushed back the intruders in Kargil. Team spirit helps in building the strong nation. Today, we see so many families divided. Brothers are quarrelling with each other and they cannot progress because they do not have the will to live together. They do'nt know the power of team spirit.

Yours etc....
S. Surjeet Singh
House No. 33 Suthra Shahi, Srinagar.

Corruption in Indian Railways

Sir,

Please refer to the news ''Railways don't spare Jawans'' published in Daily Excelsior on July, 19, 1999 reflecting that the Railway Booking Clerks were demanding bribes from soldiers going to Kargil front. What a matter of shame it is ? On one hand our soldiers and other patriots are donating their blood for the sake of our motherland while on the other hand the shameproof Railways officials are sucking the blood of our soldiers. It seems to be the extreme limit of corruption in Indian Railways which must be checked before causing any tangible damage to our society.

To my own experience, Indian Railways seems to be the biggest den of corruption on this earth. Though reservations have been computerised, yet computers are not able to prevent black marketing of tickets. To quote an example, the reservation hall of Jammu Railway Station is often abound with touts and black marketeers of tickets.

It has been seen that the ticket buyers remain lined for hours at a stretch while as the booking clerks remain busy in selling tickets from back doors. Normally the computer should not take more than five minutes in issuing a ticket, but I have noted that it takes more than fifteen minutes. And if some one dares to speak, the clerks display ''Window Closed'' and leave the counter. To whom one may complain when the officers/supervisors are out of chair? On entering the train there seems no difference between a reserved and a general compartment with respect to rush of passengers which is nothing except a corruption syndrome.

However, it is not impossible for Railway Ministry to check corruption. But it needs deep interest, dedication and a strong will. Meanwhile, special counters with army clerks should be opened for our soldiers.

Yours etc.....
O. P. Sharma
Bagnoti (Nowshera).