[Reader-list] Enough is enough by Ashok K. Mehta

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

*Enough is enough*

*Ashok K Mehta

Link - http://www.dailypioneer.com/137434/Enough-is-enough.html
*
This is India's worst hour. Infinitely worse than the 1962 Himalayan
disaster that broke the morale of the country. The war against Mumbai is war
against India. The moral can be that psychological scars will endure.

Forty-five years after that fateful event with the world's fourth largest
military, a bountiful economy, a disorganised but working democracy and an
impressive information technology knowledge power status, India with both
hard and soft powers is still imminently vulnerable and emphatically
undefended against terrorism, indeed all threats to internal security. The
oldest victim of terrorism is also the most unprotected and doing little to
correct it. Otherwise why would any Government worth its salt tolerate a
terrorist attack a month spread all across the country, losing more lives to
terrorists than to enemies across the border?

India's reputation as a soft state, to turn the other cheek if you like, has
been reinforced. Added to it is the conviction among *jihadis* of all
colours that you can travel to Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad or anywhere in
India, mount terror attacks, and escape scot-free. Impunity attaches now to
terrorism committed in India.

This is not a new war on Mumbai but the continuation of the 1993 serial
bombings to cripple the commercial capital of the nation and to destablise
rising India. The terrorists's commando-style operation is a masterly plot
as sophisticated as 9/11 - striking 11 targets ironically routed through the
Gateway of India. The first non-state actor, the British East India Company,
used this landing site as one of its entry points to subjugate India. The
route appears to have been reopened to terrorists, aided and abetted by
local sympathisers.

The response to the terrorist attacks has been confused and feeble which is
not surprising. The terrorists have created a unique and unprecedented
situation of hostages in three places. Our people have very little expertise
in negotiating in hostage situation. Dealing with this will be tricky for
the security forces. We need to be cool and firm to tide over the multiple
crises largely of our own creation.

No further dithering will do in meeting the terrorist challenge. India needs
a Patriot Act or National Security Act forthwith, coupled with a Department
of Homeland Security under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. It is
time to appoint a professional National Security Adviser with a military
background. All this must happen in 100 days as announced by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh.

National political consensus on national internal security is a must. This
is not only India's last chance to act but also to be seen to be serious
about it. The nation's credibility is at stake.