Letters to the EDITOR: Unity against Terrorism

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Unity against terrorism

During Sunday's 'Mann ki Baat' episode, the Prime Minister said that the cowardly terrorist attack which resulted in the slaughter of 26 civilian tourists at Pahalgam in Kashmir was the outcome of the desperation of patrons of terrorism, who do not want to see peace return to Kashmir and democracy get stronger in the valley. They are the enemies of the whole country. The PM has rightly said that the unity of the country and the solidarity of the 140 crore Indians are the biggest strength in the war against terrorism. The world is watching how the Indians react after this terrorist attack. Today, the whole country is united, speaking in one voice and strengthening its resolve to face the challenge. But, unfortunately, Assam has witnessed the sudden rise of a section of people taking a pro-Pakistani or pro-terrorist stand in the context of the Pahalgam massacre. In the April 27 editorial 'Pak supporters in Assam', it has been rightly highlighted the state's CM's emphasis that any individual supporting Pakistan or Bangladesh, irrespective of their religion, would not be spared and that the government would apply the National Security Act (NSA) against such arrested persons on charges of treason. This has exposed the presence of a large number of people supporting the terrorists in different nooks and corners of the state. As a nation, we Indians have to demonstrate strong willpower and oneness to reach those "silent invaders" who are hiding behind the scenes and supporting the pro-Pakistani terrorists and disrupting peace in Assam.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

Fingers crossed

This letter has a reference to a news item published in your esteemed daily, dated April 28, regarding the war of words between CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Gaurav Gogoi, Jorhat MP, who also happens to be the Deputy Leader of Opposition, regarding the latter’s clandestine visit to Pakistan, his wife’s link with ISI and her citizenship. In reply, Gogoi challenged the CM to prove his allegations and posed his own questions. I, as a bona fide citizen, do feel that the accusations levelled by both against each other are very serious in nature and need to be probed by competent authority. So far both Sarma and Gogoi have not come out with any documentary evidence in support of their claims, which is disturbing. Lately Dr Sarma has claimed before the media that he will come out with all relevant documents in support of his claim on or before September 10, 2025.

Till then we will have to wait with our fingers crossed.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury

Guwahati.

Asiatic lions, India's pride

It is great to know that an Asiatic lioness has given birth to four cubs at the Zoological park in Delhi. It was the first successful breeding of an Asiatic lioness at the zoo in 16 years. Asiatic lions are special as they are exclusive to India in Asia, and the Gir wildlife sanctuary of Gujarat is home to 674 lions, as against 523 in 2015, as per the 2020 census. The 30% rise in the big cat number over five years was a much-needed shot in the arm for lion conservation efforts in the area, as reports then suggested that at least 19 big cats had succumbed to the canine distemper virus. Lions are long extinct in both Turkey and Iran, two other countries that boasted of them.

 Way back in 2015, Gir had adopted the 'direct sighting' method to count lions because of its accuracy. Also, modern techniques like the Global Positioning System (GPS), georeferencing and videography were put to good use by the government. The enumerators used unique identification marks on lions to avoid overlapping. Preservation of lion habitat and corridors has obviously helped the majestic animals to flourish. Limiting mining activities and the speed of trains on tracks close to the sanctuary, too, have clicked. Nearly 80 kilometres of railway tracks passing through the Amreli region have been fenced with barbed wire. Availability of livestock for lions as a prey base and CDV vaccines have saved the lives of big cats besides underpasses and flyovers.

 Dr Ganapathi  Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)