Tragic loss of lives

Sir,

Due to the heavy snowfall and advalanches that struck the State a few days ago has resulted in heavy loss of life. At least thirty people have been reported to be killed due to heavy snowfall, intense cold and avalanches in the State.

It is a fact that on nature man has no control. What happens the next few hours climate wise nobody knows. Thus we could not avert the calamity. Tragically so many lives were lost in the snowstorm. Had the Government machinery and Defence Forces not shown enough courage we would have been witness to huge loss of lives. Many people who were trapped inside collapsed houses and snow avalanches were saved in the nick of time. But still the tragic loss of lives could not be averted. Though we cannot fight nature but we can make arrangements so that in the event of such an eventuality we are better prepared and equipped to fight such contingencies. The Govt agencies must in future take stock of the failures and make prior arrangements so that in such urgent matters help and relief is sent to affected areas before it proves too late.

Yours etc....
Raj Kumar
Shahidi Chowk, Jammu.

Air Force operations

Sir,

The Defence Forces of the country have always played a great and pivotal role in safeguarding the interests of the country. In addition to making the country insular to the external threats, which offcourse is its primary role it has also helped to make the country safe internally.

Wherever and whenever there have been problems whether man-made or natural the Defence Forces have always proved to be a last straw for the people. A few days ago when the unprecedented snowfall in the State snapped the communications with the Valley and other areas thousands of civilians and Defence personnel were left stranded at Jammu. People who were stranded at Jammu Bus Stand and enroute Kashmir suffered heavily on account of snowfall. These hapless people had a tough time. Left alone without proper shelter, food or clothing these people looked haggard and shabby. Money in their pockets started emptying. Government agencies came to their reseue. Ration was distributed but still these people felt intense urge to go home.

Here at this juncture the Airforce was passed into service. Huge airplanes like IL-76 carried about three hundred people along with luggage at a time to Srinagar Airport. Smaller plans like IL-32 also flew scores of sorties to lift stranded passengers to Valley and lifted may tourists from Valley to Jammu. This herculian efforts of the Indian Air force have won the administration of the civil population. For stranded persons IAF proved like angles, as they always have proved.

Yours etc....
R. L. Chadda
Sainik Colony, Jammu.

Sleeper cells

Sir,

A news report was published in this paper (Feb. 8) which carried a sensational news about the existence of sleeper cells in major cities.

This statement has come from no less a person than the DGP of the State. The statements makes it amply clear that terror network has spread to different areas of the country where sleeper cells have been established. As and when need arises these sleeper cells can be activated so that the eivil designs of the enemy are carried out with impunity. The news report also carried the news that infiltration has not stopped at all and that about six hundred terrorists have crossed over.

It may be noted that these terrorists are better armed and better trained. Their handlers across the borders seem to be bent upon to destabilise our country. Little do they understand that the terror monaster that they have let loose upon our country is about to swallow them also. We have enough wherewithal and strength to defeat terror game plan but those who have reared the dragon of terror will be destroyed by the same if they do not rein in the monster in tune. There is an old saying that those who live by the sword perish by the sword.

We as a responsible nation do not wish ill of any country but we are equally determined to thwast any attempts by the enemies of peace to destabilise us.

Yours etc....
M. K. Tickoo,
Manorma Vihar,
Bohri, Jammu.