Suggest amendments

Sir, - The Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) is not a cure to the acts of terrorism, the root cause of which has to be identified and eliminated.

But the Centre has the crucial task of protecting the life, liberty and property of the citizens from mindless acts of terrorism. Let the Opposition come out with a wiser reaction to the POTO when it comes before Parliament by pressing for the deletion of provisions considered draconian. The demand for its total withdrawal in the present situation will be against national interests too.

C.R. Narayanan,

Cuddalore

Sir, - As per indications, the POTO is likely to be defeated in the Rajya Sabha. The Union Law Minister has said that the terrorists would be the first to rejoice if that happens. Perhaps, the Congress too would. Unfortunately, this legislation has been given a communal colour following the ban on the SIMI. The fact is that the Opposition wants to gain political mileage out of it before the U.P. elections.

Ironically, the Opposition indulges in double speak. Whenever terrorists carry out gruesome attacks, the Opposition blames the Government and puts the Home Minister in the dock. At the same time, it does not want to give the Government the powers to crack down on terrorists. If the Opposition is apprehensive of this legislation being misused, why does it not suggest suitable amendments to it?

A. Kalyanaraman,

Chennai

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