Reflections: 26/11 and beyond

The first anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks is slowly approaching and it’s a good time to introspect and take stock of the situation. On 26^th November last year, despite all the warnings and intelligence reports of an attack in any form, Mumbai was attacked by ten terrorists who took the easy way inside our territory- the sea.

I don’t think anyone anywhere alive on that day will ever forget the shock and agony that struck and gripped Mumbai for more than 78 hours and permanently etched a terror scar on India. Even though we mourn the deaths of so many innocent people during the attacks, this dark incident has touched every Indian.

But what about our response?

It has been cold, naïve and irresponsible. The Indian government’s response to 26/11 has been woefully inept and shoddy. We still have not succeeded in putting more international pressure on Pakistan to bring the perpetrators to book. The AJMAL KASAB hangover is still looming large on us. We keep on sending dossiers and Pakistan keeps on rejecting it.

After 26/11 our country lost a real time opportunity to put more pressure on Pakistan and eliminate the state sponsored terrorism there once and for all, otherwise who can explain that the Pakistani government virtually arrested, freed and then again put Mr Hafeez Saeed, Chief of LET and master mind behind 26/11 under house arrest. (Last heard he is having a great time in this house arrest stint).We failed to stop the military aid that Pakistan receives from the US government that is easily been diverted to fund the terrorist operations against us. Our foreign policy has failed miserably. The Indian government and its policies have been caught once again sleeping.

Is there something wrong with the democratic systems we flaunt? When the entire world is looking up to India for its economic growth (Read: 7 %) and domestic demand and terming it to be the GROWTH DRIVERS in the new era, why do we tend to look backward when such intrinsic issues are concerned. Why don’t we muscle our economic power and get decisions in our favour. If we are so powerful then why are we simultaneously so powerless?

Can we get an assurance from the prime minister that the attacks would stop once and for all? Can we learn anything from America, United Kingdom in how they prevented in another 9/11, 7/7 to happen again.

Many terror attacks later ( Mumbai, Malegaon, Imphal, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Gujarat etc)  the centre and the state governments are still planning and trying to implement the security frame work of our country and by the time this planning is turned in to action, expect more anarchy. It’s scary but it’s true.

It’s just not the danger from the elements across the border but what about our own home grown terrorism. The threat from the Maoists is getting even bigger than the cross border infiltration. The red corridor which is under the Maoists control is inhabited by poor peasants and tribals. They have been supporting the Maoists as these poor people have lost faith in the government to protect them from mining mafia, forest contractors, the men wearing khaki and the representatives getting elected through the democratic election process.

Madhu Koda, former chief minister of Jharkhand is a case in point. He is an example on how the elected representative neglects the poor and the needy and in turn makes lots of money. (Read: 4000 crore).Last heard he is scot free and campaigning for the five phase state assembly elections in Jharkhand.How low can the system go?

Is there any transparent mechanism from the state or the centre to combat Maoists?  Is there any intention and simultaneous action to solve the Maoists problem once and for all and win the confidence of the poor people who have been neglected so far?

The answer is a blunt NO.

Confidence building among the citizens is a humongous task, especially after what our country has been going through. We need less talk and more action. Less planning commissions more of implementation. Less promises more delivery. Less whining more accountability. Less questions and more answers. Less oldies more youngsters in the government, Less old faces more fresher’s.

But is anybody listening?

p.s. If we all remember, in 1993 prominent places in Mumbai were attacked by Dawood Ibrahim and his men when 13 explosions simultaneously rocked Mumbai killing 257 and injuring 700. In all 7000 kg of explosives were brought in to Mumbai through the same sea route and ironically our coast and navy guards were even prepared then for any eventualities.

I hope we learned anything from 26/11 because we didn’t learn anything from 1993. Till that time who knows the next terror victim can either be you or even me.

GOD BLESS INDIA!