Action items

For a start, the Governmant of India has introduced legislation to modify terror laws and create a national investigation agency. The news channels, on the other hand have come up with a code of conduct during violent crises. The key issue, as always, is enforcement. How will it work on the ground and how long will it take to train and equip the police in every part of the country?

Update: As expected, Amnesty International objects to the proposed laws as being too draconian.

November is not September!

Arundhati Roy, in Outlook, looks at all the elephants in the room, in the light of 26/11 in her usual ballistic style. Deserves a read in full, whether you agree or not.

Do we need this Test series?

The England Test cricket team is back in India after great persuasion. But frankly, do we Indians need a cricket tour, by anyone for that matter, at this time? Police and security forces will have to be mobilized (300 commandos, 1000 policemen!!!) just for cricketers' protection while that of ordinary citizens remains compromised. Of course, the fans will get even more shabbier treatment in the name of security. We could have done without this tour, much as England's decision deserves applause. It is a needless diversion when real serious issues have to be tackled.

To do list

A national security expert has listed 26 action items. All of them deal with issues within the country and the complexity of policing and securing it. A good place to start and if the Prime Minister's announcement of stationing a battalion of NSG commandos in the 5 major cities is followed up with immediate action, one item can be ticked off right away. 'Mumbai 26/11' should be treated as 'New York 11/9' and the response should be equally bold and decisive.