Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Post-26/11 security: what's that?

We never learn.  Or seem to care.


On the anniversary of 26/11, one of the TV news channels brought to light the lapse security arrangements at the site of the attacks.  The report showed boats streaming in to the exact spot where the terrorists from our friendly neighbouring country landed.  A local fisherman confirmed that anybody was free to dock their boats here without any scrutiny.

The reporter then entered the crowded CST train station and left a bag there unattended.  Again, nobody noticed it or questioned her about it.

What have we achieved since 26/11?

Okay, we hanged Kasab.  But what did we learn or gain from detaining him for so long, apart from feeding him biryanis?  At the very least, couldn't we have put him in front of the world and got him to reveal the entire modus operandi of the attack: the way it was planned in his country and the people behind it?  

Maintaining security is like trimming nails.  The nails keep growing and you have to trim them regularly and even out the rough edges.  Likewise, security arrangements have to be put in place, monitored, and updated on a regular basis.  This is clearly not happening anywhere in our country.

Basically anybody can waltz in from any of the hostile countries surrounding ours, recce areas, and carry out attacks at will.  There have been umpteen examples of this in the past, and one fears, we will see more of them as things stand now.

Sure, community participation in security management is also a must, along with government initiatives.  But it is up to the state to initiate it in the first place.  Just closing the doors after the horse has bolted is not useful in any way.  Prevention, here too, is better than cure - or disaster management in this case.

Our heartfelt condolences to the victims of 26/11 and their families.

Ministers please wake up and secure the land!



Image source: https://im.rediff.com/news/2019/nov/26mumbai-attack1.jpg

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