From The Urdu Press

There is widespread criticism of the failure of the agencies connected with the nation’s security. Detailing the various warnings given to these agencies, Rashtriya Sahara, in its editorial (December, 1) entitled ‘Shivraj Patil ka isteefa’ emphasises that the warnings had even indicated that terrorists can use the sea route to Mumbai using fishing trawlers. It says: “How casual is our administration with regard to the security of the country can be assessed by the fact that intelligence sources had informed the National Security Council Secretariat, Joint Intelligence Council, Sea Coast Guard and the Maharashtra government about possible terrorist attacks but no agency paid attention to these inputs and perhaps ignored them as routine warnings.” Hyderabad-based Siasat, in its editorial (Online: November, 28) writes: “One of the most important aspects (of the terrorist attacks) is how an attack of such a magnitude could not reach the secret network or radar of the intelligence agencies?… This is a clear failure of these agencies.” The paper further writes: “Following the attacks on Mumbai, the need has arisen of setting up an agency of a national nature that should do the job merely of collecting intelligence inputs and there should be the minimum possibility of slackness. Apart from this a separate agency can be constituted to formulate a plan of action and take practical steps.” Delhi-based Milap (November, 30) too has pleaded for a national body “that could act as a bridge between the various (intelligence and security) agencies.” Mumbai’s premier daily, Inquilab, in an editorial entitled ‘Dehshatgardi ke khilaf yek jehti’ (unity and harmony against terrorism) (On Line: Nov 28) has reflected on different aspects of this “big and organised conspiracy, ” have been made possible only by some large network.” The paper talks of the current economic crisis, the ongoing elections in many states and the fact that the Parliamentary elections are also not very far off. “An effort has been made to divert our attention from an important political and parliamentary imperative,” the paper opines. The paper has also laid stress on the killing of three officers of the police. “The manner in which three high police officers were targeted in the biggest terrorist attack on the country, shows that those firing indiscriminately could have even been after the life of these officials. If it is so, it is an extremely sorrowful and alarming act.” 

In the context of the widespread anger among the people and the government’s determination for strong action following the terrorist attack, Rashtriya Sahara, in its editorial on December, 2, writes: “The greatest need of the time is not to lose our senses and balance of mind and to make efforts to go to the root of the entire conspiracy and reach the real masters of these terrorists (“asal aaqaon tak pahonchne ki koshish ki jaaye”). Talking of revengeful acts or of war would, in a way, amount to letting the unholy (naapak) plans and intentions of the elements and forces that have hatched the entire conspiracy according to a well thought out scheme succeed. As the name of ISI and Pakistan is clearly coming up in this episode and that country itself is bearing the brunt of terrorism for a long time, it becomes imperative for it to provide to its neighbouring country all possible cooperation, information and facilities necessary for inquiring into these abominable (ghinaoni) activities. If an effort is not made to resolve this very serious problem through talks, mutual cooperation and information concerning the activities of the terrorists, the result can be so ferocious (bhaynak) for both the countries and particularly for Pakistan that would be hard to imagine.”

—Compiled by Seema Chishti