Editorial

Letters to the EDITOR: Cowardly attack reeks of a deep conspiracy

The cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam is extremely painful and has left everyone shocked.

Sentinel Digital Desk

Cowardly attack reeks of a deep conspiracy

The cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam is extremely painful and has left everyone shocked. I believe this could be a plan hatched by Pakistan to incite communal hatred in our country. The way tourists were identified and killed reeks of a deep conspiracy by Pakistan. It might also be an attempt to undermine the growing economy of Jammu and Kashmir, which largely depends on tourism, in order to push the Kashmiri people back into supporting terrorism for survival. And after the deadly attack, we’ve seen nearly 90% of bookings to Kashmir cancelled. A wave of heated exchanges and calls to boycott Kashmir has also emerged on social media. I urge everyone not to fall into this trap—if we do, their plan will succeed.

Bedanta Baruah,

(bb.nagaon2016@gmail.com)

Impending artificial floods in Rajgarh

I am a resident of Pragati Path, Rajgarh, and through your esteemed daily, I write to draw your attention to a serious issue that poses a grave threat to our locality and the city at large.

Around January, a new footpath was constructed over a primary drainage channel—an important artery feeding into the Bharalu River. During the construction process, the drain was excavated, and a substantial amount of waste and debris was removed. However, instead of disposing of this waste responsibly, it was left piled up beside the drain.

Over time, this unattended waste has become a breeding ground for weeds and even banana plants, alongside the accumulation of plastic and other pollutants. This negligence has already begun to obstruct the drainage system. With the monsoon fast approaching, we fear this will inevitably lead to severe artificial flooding, a problem that this flood-prone region is all too familiar with.

We urge the concerned authorities to take immediate action by clearing the waste and ensuring proper maintenance of the drainage system. Timely intervention is crucial to avoid a repeat of the flooding disasters we have witnessed in the past.

Suswapna Kakoty

(advocate.suswapna@gmail.com)

Gang assault in Jorhat

The shocking gang assault at Chandan Nagar, Jorhat, under the influence of drugs and alcohol, has claimed the life of Debanga Bhushan Baruah, an innocent youth who had simply gone to enjoy a Bihu function. This tragic incident has sparked widespread concern over how substance abuse is crippling society while the government and police remain disturbingly passive. Amid this, Tushar Pal from Selenghat, Teok, has been fighting this menace single-handedly since 2012, without any external funding. He has run a solo marathon, organised village meetings, debates, and mass awareness drives, and made short films targeting youth and parents. He even collected 20,000 public signatures across Upper Assam and submitted them to the then Assembly Speaker, Hitendranath Goswami, in 2017, who promised to raise the issue, yet no action followed. In 2018, Tushar wrote to the Prime Minister, receiving a response from the PMO, which was forwarded to the state’s Chief Secretary. Still, no visible steps have been taken. Ironically, the recent crime occurred in the very district now represented by the same speaker. Today, student unions and citizens are speaking out. It’s not too late. The government must act decisively, and socially conscious individuals and groups must unite. With proper support, people like Tushar Pal can play a key role in addressing this crisis and protecting our society from further decay.

Dipen Gogoi,

Teok, Jorhat

Pahalgam incident an eye-opener 

The Pahalgam massacre in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday is an eye-opening incident for every Indian, for such an inhumane attack on tourists gives an idea of the master plan of the terrorists. There is no other alternative for the Indian government but to nip in the bud the plans of terrorists; otherwise, they will be continuing such dastardly acts in the future. From now on, India will have to be more cautious in dealing with our neighbouring countries, as the threats are coming from these countries, including the earlier friendly country of Bangladesh.
In no way can terrorists be called religious, as no religions prescribe hate and crimes; but the said terrorists are taking the lives of innocent people in the name of religion. The government should not tolerate the heinous crimes of the terrorists and give a befitting reply to the terrorists as well as the countries sponsoring terrorism.

Benudhar Das

Galiahati- No. 2, Barpeta

Wipe out terrorism completely 

I am writing this letter to express my profound sadness and outrage at the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and the devastation of a region heavily reliant on tourism. The attack in the Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist destination, is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and its devastating impact on civilians.

   The victims, including tourists from various parts of India and two foreigners, represent a diverse group of people who were drawn to Kashmir’s beauty and charm. This attack not only claimed precious lives but also shattered the dreams and aspirations of those who relied on tourism for their livelihoods. The incident has left Pahalgam feeling like a ghost town, with hotels and businesses struggling to recover from the sudden economic impact.

   The attack should serve as a wake-up call for our nation to redouble our efforts in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of our citizens. The government must hold the perpetrators accountable and take decisive action to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. Furthermore, we must stand in solidarity with the victims’ families and communities, providing them with the necessary support and resources to cope with their loss.

   The incident highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to security and peace-building in the region, one that addresses the root causes of conflict and promotes inclusivity and understanding. We must also ensure that the vibrant culture and beauty of Kashmir remain a source of pride and a destination for peace and harmony, despite the challenges we face.

   Let us not allow Kashmir to remain a land of bloodshed. It deserves peace, dignity and a future where every citizen feels safe.

In this hour of nationwide grief, everyone should speak out, regardless of their religion, caste, or nationality, to condemn such terror attacks and inhuman brutality against humanity. The government must take a decisive stand against the “country” that sponsors various terror modules. Let the citizens of each state also resolve to be even more vigilant in all possible ways to ensure that terror is never permitted to hold the nation to ransom.    

I urge our leaders to take immediate and decisive action to combat terrorism and ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.    

I want to add that terrorists have no religion. They target everybody and anybody.

They don’t even spare children. They just want to sow the seeds of fear into the hearts of people.

Jubel D’Cruz,

(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)