Yet another series of blasts. Yet another set of innocent people killed. Yet another city targeted, this time the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur. There'll be yet another announcement of it being the handiwork of 'terrorists'. Yet another state of 'high alert' will be declared across major cities. There will be the mandatory condemnations from politicians, followed by the customary announcement of 'compensation' by the Government for the kin of the victims. The media will chase the 'story' for a couple of days or so. And then life will be normal, as usual, normal for everybody but those affected directly by the blasts.
Every few months or so, a new city is targeted. But we refuse to improve. It took one 9/11 for the United States of America to completely overhaul its internal security set-up. New legislation was enacted and the authorities were given sweeping powers. The result is there for all to see. The US is a safer place today. There have been instances of abuse of power and racial profiling, but that is inevitable and unfortunately a price that a few have to pay so that innocent lives are saved. But India is a different story. Here, there is no regard for two things. People and their time. Both are expendable commodities. Kya farak padta hai? 1.2 billion mein se kuchh log kam ho jaayenge na, bas? Why can't our police force be modernised? Numerous Police Commission reports screaming for reform in the force have been gathering dust for decades. Recently, the Central Reserve Police Force ('CRPF'), which is responsible for counter-Naxalite operations, had its demand for a separate intelligence wing turned down for the umpteenth time by the Finance Ministry which said that it should rely on intelligence gathered by the local police instead. No wonder we continue to remain a soft target for terrorists. What a shame!
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