Act, not sermonise!

The government has to be action-oriented :

1) The yellow signal from New Delhi (vide the Indian Foreign Secretary's recent tirade (DS column, Feb 18). The light may turn red, not green! Modular action plans are needed. India is not happy with the alleged refuge bases in Bangladesh of the armed activists operating in NE India for years. What is the next step after denial? The Indian paper plans for erecting barrages on rivers flowing into Bangladesh may be a political reprisal. The situation has to be defused. How is the communication link at the diplomatic level?

2) The recent upsurge in the grenade-throwing culture (a global phenomenon), which is becoming more and more active in the country. The official action has to soothe the public apprehension on firm governance. The planned attack on two of the largest NGOs is alarming. Next target? Nip it in the bud, before the situation goes out of control. It is not enough to be popular, and depend on past names. The Valentine Day scare is a tip of the iceberg. Ad hoc solutions and remedies won't do.

Subversive Master plans need anti-master plans for countering the menaces to the society. This is a social virus needing political solution. Let us hear more about the plans of the regulators.

Delayed-action whimpering solutions are dangerous in the long run.

3) Religion has crept into politics. No use denying it, as it also operating at the international level. Where are the policies and the deterrent actions of the government? Sit down with the alliance partners, and come up with practical measures, which the public can note in the corrective actions taken. Many citizens feel there is a lot of hide-and-seek activities going on behind closed doors. The onus is on the GoB.

4) The Home Ministry has to be strengthened with more mature personnel at the top levels, as its task and problems have multiplied in fast changing world. The communication gap with the field offices has to be reduced drastically. Hidden godfathers should have no say in the transparent operations. Corruption is a hidden enemy, and its effect is epidemic. The official antidotes are weak and transient.

5) The regime is seeking public backing. It is not enough to target the main opposition only. There are two separate zones : nuisance activities, and danger signals. Each family is now thinking whether a member of the family would be the next target (may be accidentally). Fear cripples support! The ruling political parties parties have to rise to the emergency situation. The image is being tarnished both at home and abroad.