Don't beat a dead horse

By Sushil Vakil

It seems India is still depending upon the US to help the country fight terrorism. The recent visit of Home Minister P Chidambaram to US to have a first-hand experience of how its financial city is protected by security agencies from terrorist attacks is a clear indication. Though home minister P Chidambaram had been invited by the US to have in-depth discussions to find ways of how New Delhi and Washington could cooperate more to combat terrorism yet the Washington officials used the opportunity to convey their own concerns, one being India's over indulgence in Afghanistan. Keeping in view Washington's partisan role India must stop running to US since its officials are not going to reveal anything new other than what India knows already. As a matter of fact US is looking after its interests only and we have to take care of us.



Mr Chidambaram was briefed by officials from FBI, intelligence and security agencies and New York Police about the measures being taken by them to prevent any Mumbai-type terrorist attacks. From walking at the Penn Station, which handles thousands of train passengers every day, to a briefing by the New York Police, which had made several changes in its counter-terrorism measures post-26/11 attacks, Chidambaram and his team of officials got to know how a mega city like New York can be protected from terrorists without causing much inconvenience to its residents. Incidently, in India, it is not the police officials who need awareness but our leaders to undergo a change of mindset. Let the police function in its own way.



Everything is OK. But can anyone ask the flamboyant Indian Home Minister as to how many times he has visited the CST or Churchgate stations handling millions of people every day and night in Mumbai to review the security arrangements. Had he visited the stations earlier the things would have been easier to understand and order the upgradation. But it was not to be so, as the tour was more of a foreign jaunt rather than an on spot study. By his visit we can't expect any changes unless we act on our own and leave dependency on others. He should think of ways and means to vastly improving the security measures in India. Remember, after 9/11 there have been no terrorist strikes in the US.



Unarguably, India stands to gain nothing as far as our leaders believe in 'be patient, the apple will fall in your lap policy.' No doubt, India and US have a collaboration against the use of Pakistani soil for cross-border terrorism but despite that, Washington shows lukewarm response to New Delhi's plea to pressurise Pakistan to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks. However, for the sake of milking US funds, Pakistan is sometimes showing action but in reality, the terror masterminds roam freely on its soil.



It is unfortunate that instead of tightening our own security network, not only in Mumbai but in other states too, our HM had to rush New York to review their security arrangements. Does our police force lack will, vigil and action? No. They lack modern arms and ammunition and powers to take decisions independently. They are always working under pressure and at the beck and call of politicians. Before laying their hands on any accused belonging to a particular caste, colour or religion they have to get clearance from top to bottom. This is happening nowhere but in India only. Still our HM expects our police to work like their counterparts in US. Mr Chidambaram appears to be more interested to retain his chair peacefully, than taking up the pain to combat terrorism, both internal and external.



There are no two opinions that despite India's continued appeal to the US to exert pressure on Pakistan to take firm action towards dismantling of the terror infrastructure in that country, Washington has never taken any pains. Instead of intervening US has been always asking India to maintain restrain. The persuasion was quite visible when India moved its forces near borders to attack Pakistan to avenge terror attack on its Parliament.



Strangely, India is looking for favour from a country which is arming our hostile neighbour to the teeth. On the one side US officials are briefing India how to prevent terror attacks while on the other it is arming Pakistan with modern war gadgets. Despite knowing the fact that most of the supplied equipment is landing into the terror hands and is used against India, the US Congress has approved an aid of $2.3 billion for Pakistan. Besides sanctioned aid the country has sought approval for the coming fiscal also. The liberal aid is being showered amidst the suspicion that funds given in the past have been diverted to other activities. This has been confirmed by former president Pervez Musharraf himself during his recent visit to US.



India broke off peace talks with Pakistan following the attacks from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group. More than a year has passed yet Islamabad is not moving fast enough in pursuing those responsible. Whatever action has to be taken to control terrorism should be taken by India only and without seeking clearance from US and others. We should have such good defence mechanism that terrorists will fail if they try again. We should focus our energy positively and ensure we build our defences and deterrents. Surely, there is no need to beat a dead horse.