•The appointment of an independent technical review committee of foreign experts to oversee preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi is a big blow to the Indian organisers (Foreign experts to monitor Kalmadi & Co,IE,October 13). This is not the proper stage and time to challenge this action of the Commonwealth Games Federation,but to accept it and concentrate more on the lacunae still existing in the preparation process. This is an international sporting event which will be a great honour for our country and boost our indigenous sports. As stakeholders,this is the time for the Union and Delhi governments to take action.
Nagesh Tekale
Unredeemable?
• The editorial Three alerts (IE,October 12) regarding the terrorists in Pakistan is a wake-up call for Pakistans ruling elite to see the gravity of the situation: suicide bombers are bent on chipping away at the foundation of state structures. Theres no way the situation can be redeemed or fixed. Islamabads hostility to India,its symbiotic relationship with the US and its fatal attraction for cosseting jihadists within its territory and in Afghanistan have the resilience of an umbilical cord which can never be severed. So Pakistan is trapped in its own ideological framework and even a hundred alerts wouldnt force its rulers and military to change gear and reverse policy.
John Alexander
Nagpur
Enemy within
•Attacks by terrorists,as on the Pakistan Army Head Quarters,have become a regular feature. This shows Pakistans civilian governments declining control over law and order. Pakistan seems to be slowly slipping into anarchy which is a concern for the United States,and India in particular. Within the Pakistan army and the ISI,sympathisers abound,encouraging various terror outfits. Such elements will continue to have chronic ill effects in the form of terror attacks in Pakistan.
Deepak Chikramane
Mumbai
Needless deaths
• The massive strike by a big group of about 200 Naxals killing 17 policemen in Gadchiroli is shocking. The ambiguity of the Central governments strategy against the increasing menace of the extremists is proving costly. Theres no excuse for the way police forces are sacrificed to ruthless attacks,even with prior information of the gathering of Naxals in specific areas. Since a massive ambush was almost certain,the government should have used satellite information for locating and totally countering the extremists,with the use of even aerial fire support if necessary. The social and idealistic angle of the Naxal threat should not have paved the way for such human sacrifice. Let us hope the mistake will not be repeated.
P.K.K. Menon
