Guts, guns & goof-ups

The well-coordinated terrorist activity, clumsy attempts by myriad agencies to take credit for badly-conducted operations, the banalities being spouted by pompous politicians and the helpless sense of insecurity gripping the public racked me with a sense of anguish and deep frustration.

Misinformed news channels gave dramatic stories to a credulous audience. One example of unverified reporting which angered me was the versions of the killings of the brave policemen which depicted them as bumbling amateurs,instead of conscientious and daring officers. Blatantly and without regard to truth, it was reported that Hemant Karkare died without a protective jacket and helmet; whereas the actual truth was he was clad suitably , but was shot from close range and died due to deficient and obsolete equipment that a government saw fit to provide officers of an elite Anti-Terrorist Squad.

There is money in plenty for the lavish extravaganza by government delegations consisting of ministers and senior officers who flit around the world on the flimsiest of excuses to attend unimportant and insignificant meetings and conferences,but none for the amenities to police officers and men battling the worst menace that has confronted the country since its existence ��� mindless, brutal, savage acts of terrorism.

What heightened the frustration was the manner in which the rescue operations were carried out. Undoubtedly, the army, the NSG and the police force displayed immense courage and devotion to duty, but their gallant efforts were marred by the propensity of the various forces to come in the limelight at the expense of accuracy and efficiency.

Courtesy: www.timesofindia.com