Opinion A breakdown
This refers to Body politics by Shekhar Gupta (IE,July 6). I simply cannot understand how a civil society can condone any encounter killing
A breakdown
* This refers to Body politics by Shekhar Gupta (IE,July 6). I simply cannot understand how a civil society can condone any encounter killing. Explanations that many more such encounters routinely take place,and that we are dealing with an enemy that does not follow any rules,only discredit our democracy,judiciary,intelligence agencies and police. The fact that so many encounter killings have taken place confirms that there is a total breakdown of justice,law and order,and of our institutions. I believe that we cannot condone any killing or confinement that does not follow due process as established by law. The breakdown of civil society is visible everywhere. We need to question our basic assumptions.
Naheed Carrimjee
* THE problem of fake encounters is complicated because terrorist activities cannot be controlled while adhering to the due process prescribed by our penal codes. Had it not been so,the necessity of the AFSPA in J&K and in the Northeast would not have arisen. Under certain circumstances,only fire can fight fire. Even though fake encounters do not have sanction of the law,they are expedient when no other efficacious remedy is available. It is not fair for the powers-that-be to abandon the security establishment,and dump the blame on it for acts that were not contemplated by it in isolation. Encounter killings in disturbed areas have been applauded and rewarded. Ishrat Jahans case is not the first of its kind,nor will it be the last. This case should not be viewed in light of political divisions of secular and communal.
Anand K. Shukla
Hands off
* THIS refers to The peoples business (IE,July 6). The Supreme Court has held that promises in election manifestos can not be viewed as corrupt practices under the prevailing law,since the relevant section of the law covers candidates and their agents,not political parties. I do not agree with the courts direction to the Election Commission to frame guidelines for manifestos. The matter of whether a promise is a legitimate social welfare project or a corrupt practice should be left to the electorate to decide for itself.
Romesh Marwaha
New Delhi
Not again
* THIS refers to 13 killed in Secunderabad hotel collapse,27 injured (IE,July 9). Preventable incidents of building collapse in different parts of the country recur alarmingly often. Unfortunately,the landlords,builders and municipal authorities never learn any lessons. There are numerous buildings that are sub-standard,built in violation of norms and perilously close to coming down. We need to reflect on the abysmal state of our town and country planning.
Zulfikar Akram
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