Need to identify
Bangladeshis
In the wake of the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Goa government has reportedly initiated a series of stringent security measures, including directing three Pakistani nationals to leave the state and country latest by April 27. It is learnt that 17 others on long term visas have been placed under surveillance.
Document verification of migrants will also be undertaken across various pockets and necessary action taken against those who fail to prove their identity. All hotels will have to strictly ensure that records of visitors are maintained. It is common knowledge that terrorists many a times travel on forged passports and false travel documents. It would be prudent to check the passports of the visitors from Pakistan in order to see whether they are forged. A check also needs to be kept on Bangladeshi nationals who are residing in the state.
There could be several Bangladeshis who have infiltrated into India from across the border and are staying in India illegally. It must be said that the relationship between India and Bangladesh has not been cordial in recent times and there could be Pakistanis who have travelled to Goa from Bangladesh and pose a threat. Bangladesh's support to anti-Indian Islamic fundamentalist groups is quite well known. The Goa government could also issue a travel advisory for Goans not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir and cancel all vacation plans to that state up until such time that things have normalised there.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Chattisgarh has to be
wary about Naxals
The anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh is at it peak. Naxal hotbeds Bijapur and Sukma have never witnessed such an unprecedented " war" against the Maoists. Combing operations by more than 10000 security personnel, drawn from various forces, including the dedicated Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), have gone hammer and tongs at Naxal dwellings and explosives by working day in and day out at unfamiliar terrains.
Plenty of Improvised Explosive Devices(IED) have been diffused. Amidst the ongoing operations against the Naxals, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has proposed a dialogue with the Maoists. Quickly acting on the proposal, the Communist Party of India (Maoist) has, instead, asked for a month long ceasefire in anti--Naxal operations to come to the negotiating table.
It has to be noted that plenty of Naxals have laid down arms and surrendered before the government. Therefore, the ceasefire request of the Naxals have to be taken with a pinch of salt by the Chhattisgarh government. In a serious war against any kind of terror, aimed at the state, the government cannot let its guard down by agreeing to a truce.
The dangerous Naxals may seize the ceasefire period to recoup. Caution should be the buzz word for both the Centre and the State.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Time for India to
expose Pakistan
India should not be satisfied with the initial steps taken after the Pahalgam attack but should systematically expose Pakistan’s terror network globally. India should leverage new allies like Saudi Arabia to further isolate Pakistan, and pressure China not to obstruct the listing and sanctions of Pakistani-backed terrorists. If China changes its stance, it will be a major setback for Pakistan’s terror networks. The unprecedented public anger in Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack is severely damaging Pakistan’s narrative.
Now is the time for India to vigorously expose Islamabad’s support for terrorism globally and not just respond to it but also campaign to uproot all the structures that fuel terrorism.
Mohammad Asad, Mumbai
Broader outlook on
language needed
Learning an additional language is people's priority. German authorities are rather tough and to get a visa extended, you need to talk in German. Despite knowing fluent English, they refused to communicate in it. Don’t sway away from knowing a language. When given clear expectations, many Indians are willing to learn German or French to adapt and survive abroad. However, when it comes to embracing and respecting local languages within India, there seems to be significant resistance.
Tamils should realise this sooner or later. To those from northern parts of India living in Bengaluru: please make an effort to learn Kannada and integrate with the local culture and traditions. Resorting to arguments, threats, or disrespectful behavior only harms the social fabric. Today, every street has CCTV surveillance, and incidents can easily be recorded and shared widely. Learning a new language doesn’t make you any less connected to your mother tongue. On the contrary, it enhances cognitive flexibility and helps prevent unnecessary conflicts over language, a divisive issue we should move beyond in this era. It is a timely reminder for Tamils as well.
C K Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai
Kudos to a
braveheart
Hats off to Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a 30-year-old pony operator, who gave his life while desperately trying to save the lives of the tourists from terrorist attacks in the Pahalgam on Tuesday. The braveheart went on to snatch a weapon from one of the terrorists in an attempt to protect the tourists he had ferried from the parking area to Baisaran Meadow. He died after being hit thrice with bullets in the chest. People like Adil show that there are angels in every religion and also among atheists. On the other hand, a religious bigot's idea of our-god-versus-their-god actually ridicules the concept of god. It is rightly said that a terrorist has no religion.
Sujit De, Kolkata