Wake Up Call: Revisited

As I predicted. The name has changed. This time its Suryanarayana.

When Maniappan Kutty was brutally murdered, I had written a blog post and asked the Government to wake up. I asked if anything would be done to stop something similar from happening in the future. Obviously asking the Government to protect its people is something I shouldn't expect.

When Hamid Karzai came to India a few days ago, he talked about working on the issue of terrorism. But talk without action will bear no fruits.

The official line says that a team of negotiators was sent to Kabul but before they could reach, Suryanarayana was beheaded which means that Taliban was in no mood to negotiate.

It also adds, the Government of India is appalled by this dastardly and inhuman act of terror on the part of the Taliban and its sponsors, which has resulted in the tragic and untimely death of an innocent Indian citizen.

By saying this, can the Government absolve itself of all responsibility- past and future?

The official statement (in italics) also says:
Several measures have been taken in the past few months to increase the level of security for Indian nationals working on Indian Government-aided projects in Afghanistan.

If that is the case then why did this happen?

Private companies employing Indian personnel had also been advised to put in place comprehensive security measures.

Weren’t the Private companies advised after Kutty’s death. If so, then why this lapse? And if they weren’t advised then, what was the Government doing?

These measures would be further reviewed and strengthened and the special team now in Kabul has been mandated to make any further recommendations to Government after consulting Afghan authorities, our Embassy and the companies employing Indian citizens.

Review and strengthen them? Why do it when tragedy strikes? Why not take pre-emptive measures?

I am waiting for the answers. Again.

Weren’t the Private companies advised after Kutty’s death. If so, then why this lapse? And if they weren’t advised then, what was the Government doing?

I am waiting for the answers. Again.

Originally posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 10:48 AM