Unwanted everywhere

Sir, - As the war clouds darken over the Afghan horizon, fear- stricken civilians in the war-ravaged country are abandoning their homes for safety. But safety is a mirage for them. The world outside has shut its doors on them. Every neighbouring country has sealed its borders.

They are being denied the opportunity to live even as refugees. This is in accordance with the wishes of the members of the anti- terrorism coalition formed under the leadership of the U.S.! It is true the idea is to punish Osama bin Laden and his Taliban supporters for the September 11 carnage. But what about the innocent civilians? Why should they suffer for the crimes of the terrorists?

It is the moral duty of the world community to come to the rescue of the starving and stranded civilians at this hour of grave crisis. Among these suffering people are lakhs of children and women.

India should take up the cause of the Afghan civilians and put pressure on the U.N. and the world powers to evolve an effective mechanism to ensure that the innocent do not die for want of food and medical care.

D. V. Vamsee Krishna,

Bhubaneswar

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