LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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Special Status For GoaTHE Goa government recently made a presentation to the Centre, on the urgent and critical need for special status to Goa. The latter I understand, included the need to immediately stop land sales under Article 370, to non-Goans, in order to save our scarce land for Goans and to protect Goa’s unique identity. Can our Chief Minister please update the Goan people, on the progress of the same?

THE Indian warship, the INS Tabar has done the nation proud by taking on the Somali pirates and sinking their mother ship in the process. While this action will serve as a deterrent to some extent, it will require the co-ordinated efforts of all sea-faring nations to effectively stamp out piracy in the Gulf of Aden. Navies may consider conducting normal peacetime, joint naval exercises in the area, which will serve a dual purpose of keeping their forces fighting fit as well as that of curbing piracy on the high seas. The convoy escort of ships may be seen as a viable option, until the rule of law is established in Somalia, the southern part of which is completely lawless and is the bastion of pirates

THIS is with reference to the editorial ‘Politicisation of Terror’ (NT, November 21). The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has rightly defended the investigations carried out by the ATS in the Malegaon blasts case and has even spoken to the Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP clarifying the latter’s statements accusing the ATS of having tortured Sadhvi Pragya Thakur. The Prime Minister has even offered to show him the file thereby clarifying his statements of torture. It is very sad that Mr Advani chooses to defend the blast accused that too after a prolonged silence and use this as another opportunity to polarise the vote banks with an eye on the forthcoming general elections. The role of an army officer in the blasts is definitely to be condemned and has brought a bad name to the armed forces. It is very sad that the communal and anti-national elements are defending culprits like Purohit who have infiltrated the armed forces and their role should be condemned by all sections and parties. At the time of the Malegaon blasts innocent people were arrested – what about them? What about the unwarranted physical and mental torture they and their families suffered due to the actions of the Sadhvi and others? Mr Advani instead of trying to gain mileage by supporting the real culprits should apologise to those who were innocently arrested immediately after the blasts.

MR Abhay Kharangate has stated that Mr Nitin Kunkolienkars rough estimate of the total financial loss of over Rs 100 crore on account of the Ocober 22 bandh is quite incorrect. (NT, November 22) This reminds me of Mr Chidambram comparing Mr Advani to Mr McCain statements on economy. For Mr Abhay (and also those who caused the bandh) it is easy to pontificate when they have not lost financially as a result thereof! In addition to production, there is loss due to un-utilised hired transport, infrastructure, equipment and idle labour, and if suppliers, buyers, staff planning and fallout due to many other intangibles are considered, the loss will exceed Mr Kunkolienkars estimate who obviously has more industrial depth and is better qualified to make such a statement.