The Rediff Special
'Is it Islamic to hold hostages at gunpoint?'
Nightmare of Flight 814, Message Board. Views verbatim, edited lightly.
Name:Vic Iyer
Email:VIyer19146@aol.com
Message:We are all relieved to hear the news of hostage release. Let us look back and see what could have been done to prevent such a tragedy.
PS does anybody on this forum know the status of Bharat Rakshak? This site has been instrumental in keeping overseas Indians fully informed. The site had been plagued with problem for the last three days and now is totally off.
Name:Rathinder
Email:rathin_b@angelfire.com
Message:The problem is not KASHMIR.
The problem is PAKISTAN...
although literally it means a
place of piousness but their actions
are so dirty.these highjackings
and killings can go on and on
if INDIA does not take a bold step
and think once and for all what to do
with PAKISTAN.
Where the hell did Americans go
they did not even bother to be serious
to the issue and so were the other
europeans.Bull Shit.It is we only
INDIA ,a country of a billion people
we need to decide now.
It is better LATE than NEVER.
C'mon.C'mon
Be Good, Do Good...but when the
world around you is dirty..turn
dirty.
Do unto them as they do unto us.
God Bless INDIA
Name:T V Nishith
Email:tv_nishith@usa.net
Message:Government should explain why there was so much delay in blocking the run way, starting negotiation ...????
Name:Viswanath
Email:Viswanath.Bandaru@cmcltd.com
Message:I opine that the govt. shouldn not have gived in for the Militants demands. The militants released, inturn will be responsible for deaths thousands of innocent indians. Its high time we re-think our strategy towards handling militancy and avoid such incidents in the future. Military should be given more power while dealing with militants. Unfortunately the lives of the many brave soldiers who died while trying to catch these militants, are just being forgotten. such giving in to the demands will certainly down the morale of the brave soldiers who are fighting militancy for the nation.
Name:Sandeep Suri
Email:sandeepsuri@123india.com
Message:The release of the terrorists by the govt. indicates how vulnerable we are. This could lead to worse situations in future. The govt. should have taken a tough stand.
Name:xyz
Email:evershine_2000@YAHOO.COM
Message:THE GOVT MUST TAKE SUCH SEVERE ACTION AGAINST THESE TERRORIST SO THAT THESE INCIDENTS DO OCCUR AGAIN.
Name:Vivek Ramaswamy
Email:ext-vivek.ramaswamy@nokia.com
Message:They should not, but some balance need's to be in place.
Even if these terrorists are released, India should make sure that
the hijackers are punished for what they have done. The people responsible
for this must not go scott free, for sure.
Name:sunil
Email:sunil_swathy@yahoo.com
Message:Govt must not accept hijackers demand as it may lead to repetition of such events, as we have experienced earlier.I feel that commando operation is the only way out, we must use our diplomatic skill to force talibans to allow commando
operation.
jai hind
Name:adil
Email:adil1@vsnl.com
Message:what the govt has done is shocking we should have used force to free our hostages and if any casualties thats part of life. in war some innocents do get in the line of fire.
Name:Venkatachala Upadhya
Email:vupadhya@india.hp.com
Message:I am very much against any kind of in-humane acts.
As we know, this masood is capable of mobilising ppl against India.
Freeing him will de-morale the Jawans and top police officers.
Such a notorious person must not be released.
Name:Search Cell
Email:searchcell@hotmail.com
Message:The latest news indicates that the Indian Foreign Minister has landed in Kandahar along with 3 dreaded Kashmiri militants. The hostages have been released. Also the 6 militants have fled from the spot in a jeep. This confirms Pakistan & Taliban's hand in the whole incident. The Taliban has failed to realize that this is only the start of, what could be, a long struggle against countries like India, Russia & India. Action against the Taliban is now pending. If the terrorist organizations feel that they have escaped once than they may be under wrong impression. Only time will show who's finally going to face the shots of the new millenium ...
Name:ravi
Email:ravi799@hotmail.com
Message:jo huaa achaa huaa bye
Name:Sandeep Mishra
Email:sandeepm@hotmail.com
Message:This refers to the hijacking of IA flight 814. The hijackers have now been released. India, Russia & US should immediately stage war against Pakistan & Taliban.
Name:Hitkari
Email:
Message:Our Politician let us down again.
Hijack is going to be a routine issue now onwards.
Next on cards is Secession of Kashmir, Nagaland, Assam, Tripura may be even Kerala and TN who knows?
Muslim Millitants do not have any ethical standing. They can
stoop to any level and we have cowards ruling this country.
Let us face it. I won't be surprised if tomorrow Hyderabad (Nizam) Liberation Front (Which will be formed) Hijacks a plane.
Name:Madhu Madhan D
Email:madhumadhan@rediffmail.com
Message:The Government should not release the terrorists. Instead we need to take immediate military action by convincing the Taliban authorities. Loss of lives in such incidents are welcome instead of the uncertainity prevailing inside the aircraft. We need to be dominant and take the upper hand in driving away such militancy. After all even they know that this act is not going to work for them. If I'm allowed to rescue the hostages, I can do it for my Motherland, even if it may cost my dear life. Jai Hind.
Name:tk
Email:hijack@rediff.com
Message:I don't think there is any reason to celebrate at the release of the hostages. Remember people that thanks to the stupid polititians and bearaucrats, India has lost another war against terrorism. I do sympathise with the condition of the hostages, but what about the families of all the people serving the country in Kashmir who have died to put them behind bars. They died in vain for a country who doesn't have the spine to stand up to a terrorist. This is the way we start are millenium, it is a sign of thigns to follow. The irony is that we met more that the original demands we made after putting the passengers through so much suffering. I am so disgusted and full of remorse to be the citizen of a spineless country.
Name:N.K.Raghavendran
Email:siragiri@rediffmail.com
Message:It was extremely disappointing that the govt. should have released the terrorists at this stage. The odds were all in favour of the Indian govt. and if a tough stand had been taken it was extremely unlikely to have resulted in any great tragedy. It is a big defeat for India and has wiped out whatever was gained by the Kargil operation
Name:Mohan Patel
Email:mdpatel_98@yahoo.com
Message:Barbarian showed their true colour
Any civilised country in the world
would want their citizen free
from barbarians terror.
Each and Every Indian must be
ready to fight this barbarism.
A battle is lost not the war.
It is absurd of you to even ask
this kind of question.
Mohan Patel
Name:Nilesh Sahita
Email:n_sahita@hotmail.com
Message:'a perfect new year gift for us' says relative of the hostage. a perfect new year curse for the country !
shame on the relatives of the hostages who demonstrated on the streets of delhi for the release and shame on the 'tough' governement who gave in. what is more important - lives of 160 people or security of the country ?
be prepared for the continuing of the humiliation of india in the next millenium.
Name:ro
Email:bomzad23@mail.com
Message:well, it was a tough spot. i guess under the circumstances, with the plane in hostile territory with strong sympathies with the criminals, and given the timing of the new goddamn millenium which surely everyone involved wanted to celebrate (NO ONE WILL HAVE MORE FUN THAN THE CRIMINALS I BET). the real test starts now for the indian govt. what can they pull back from this one. good luck to them. they will need to learn the fine art and science of good governance.
i feel bad for rachna katyal and the katyal family. i fully sympathize with them---they're the ones who really lost out on this one.
and to all members of the public who just sat and criticized the government (just like they criticize the govt for every problem in their life---even those of their own making), i just want to get one thing out of my system---and u know who u are---some are surely reading this:
you are citizens which no country would want to have. so i hope you feel deeply hurt and ashamed by my insults, and start being constructive for a change. the government of india faces so many challenges---you are among them. shame on you.
Name:Indian Well Wisher
Email:xxx.yyy@com
Message:One way I am delighted to see a peaceful ending...however, I am very concerned about the Indias security...I wish that Indian government didn't release the prisoners...this could encourage lot more terrorists to hijack planes...I understand the anxiety of relatives...I wish relatives were litte more cooperative with the government as some of em' had been...If relatives had shown more solidarity with the government...this behaviour by relatives once again puts indian Citizens patriatisim under question?...
Name:nisha sahjani
Email:sahjani@ix.netcom.com
Message:The government should not have released terrorist. It will profound impact for the Kashmir insurgency and also
encourage hijacking. Government has sold out national interest.
This will come to haunt us
Name:Krishna Madala
Email:vkmadala@hotmail.com
Message:Wakeup Indians!!! We would be in predicament as long the nation is ruled by assholes like VP singh and Deve Gowda. Lets all be united and back the government. I am sure the present govt would do the best possible they could.
Name:nandita
Email:nandita41@hotmail.com
Message:India had those 3 terrorists
in prison only for the safety of its countrymen.so when the lives of its own countrymen are at stake
then naturally they have done the right thing.u shouldnt have second thoughts abt that.
it may have definately have an impact on kashmir insurgency but i think its definately worth it.
nandita
Name:deepak
Email:deepak@bom5.vsnl.net.in
Message:By releasing 3 militants, once again
India has proved to be a soft
country. Indians have no spine.
A nice way to enter the new
century. India is a nation
of cowards. There is no hope
for Indian future. A nation
of losers
Name:Nilesh Sahita
Email:n_sahita@hotmail.com
Message:understand that vajpayee is going to address the country on doordarshan tonight. this is what i expect him to say:
1. what was given away to the terrorists and why ? why the work of army and police and kashmir was undone for just 160 lives ? how many more lives this will cost in future - 160, 1600 or 16000+ ?
2. how the government will deal with terrorists in future? keep them in jail to invite hijacking or summary execution ?
3. what punishments the babus in delhi are going to get for their goof-up at amritsar airport ?
4. condemn the relatives of 160 hostages for showing how much they value their loved ones above the national interest. publish the photos and names of all those coward relatives who demonstrated in streets of delhi.
5. that india terminate all diplomatic relations with pakistan.
6. that india has started bombing karachi, islamabad and lahore tonight as y2k gift to pakistan for their involvement in hijacking.
7. declare seven days mourning to remind india and its citizens about the gross failure of india in rising up to the challenge.
Name:Suresh.R
Email:sureshachar@yahoo.com
Message:I feel the better way to stop these
kind of hijackings is to kill all
main terrorists who are in jail now
and in future instead of arresting and
keeping them shoot them on the spot.
Because we do not achieve anything
by keeping them in jail and finally
handover them like this.
Name:Shanmuga
Email:shasun@hotmail.com
Message:The Govt. has once again let down the moral of
armed forces. They don't care for the
soldiers in Kashmir. All they want to do is to convert this
incident into vote bank.
We lost respect for millenium man Vajpayee!!!
Sad Millenium for India!!!
BJP knows only to fight with Indian
muslims and their ally sena knows only to
damage cricket pitches!!!
Name:Calve Sateesh
Email:calvesateesh@vsnl.com
Message:Hi ! Rediff,
I am absolutely of the view that India and all countries around the world should not give in to the demands of the hijackers.
It makes common sense that they are comfortable sitting in place called Kandahar in Afghanistan which is as good as their homeland.
We all know that Taliban and Pakistan wants what the hijackers are demanding.The hijackers are nobody but representatives of Pakistan and Taliban collectively.
What we see and hear from the media is all nothing but filtered bullshit.
Both Pakistan & Afghanistan should be declared as Terrorist states and no country should be allowed to help them even in times of crisis.Internationally all countries either directly or Indirectly helping these countries should be banned totally.
I apreciate the Indian Prime minister in taking his time to decide finally. But his choice of handing over the terrorists is not at all appreciated by me.
But,we all do not know under what circumstances this decision was made by India.
Still I feel that the relatives of all passengers should have behaved in a matured manner and should have had faith in our government to take the right decission.
I really appreciate the effort taken by the Kargil war widow to explain to the relatives about the crisis.
I know that it is hard really hard to understand that the kith and kin of the relatives have been kept hostages by the hijackers.
But,the the whole world is at stake by releasing the terrorists.And most important of all,we need to hand over the terrorists to another country known for terrorism.
If the plane had been stormed and the hijackers killed in encounter or captured,it would have been a better result for solving the hijacking crisis.
The passengers would have been heros of the world as the sacrifice of their lives would have been remembered by every human soul in Earth who respects another human being.
Any way life needs to
Name:Vikas
Email:vk_test@hotmail.com
Message:Message for Atal Ji : 'Jo shaheed huay haen unki zaraa yaad karo kurbani' !
Name:rocket
Email:champu@champu.com
Message:what a nation of cowards!
I 've just heard the news that the Indian authorities have decided to release 3 militants in exchange for 154 passengers of IC 814.
sounds like a fair deal! right!
think again. what about the several people who have given their lives to apprehend these militants. what about the several people they will kill before getting killed or arrested again. Once again we have proved that we are a nation of suckers, romantics and poets.
Do I sound, frustrated and bitter? damn right I am. The governing party has just shown us that they are like the rest of the political parties. Instead of taking a tough stand, they took the easy way out. I would definitely not like to be a soldier for this country. Our defence forces have been made to submit for too long to civilian regimes who have no idea what it takes to rule such a complex and diverse group of people. I feel for the defence forces....what a pity to serve this country. The sacrifices of all these people has gone in vain.
peace
Name:N Gupta
Email:ncg61@hotmail.com
Message:I am completely shocked at
how our government has
surredndered.
These kind of act from our
elected leaders make me
feel ashamed to be an Indian.
When will we change the political
system which breeds such spineless
characters. When will we learn
to act what we say ?
I am soo very sad and disappointed
with this government.
Name:
Email:
Message:We should not negotiate with militants.But having done so we ought to have taken a hard line.What we need to do is tell them that ok so we give in this time but ..there will not be a next time.To ensure that we will start executing militants as and when we capture them ......
Name:Palani Doma
Email:palanid@yahoo.com
Message:Yes. The Government has sold out the National Interest. I feel very sorry about this. I am just thinking, how many India soldiers had died in arresting those dreaded terrorists. Think How many innocent people were killed in those hands of the terrorists in Kashmir. What is the cost of those lifes who had put themselves to catch these terrorist? Aren't these soldiers the same citizens like those in the flight?
If I were the PM I wouldn't have done this. And more over at the first instance I wouldn't have let them leave from India, when they landed in Amritsar. Though I feel happy about the released passengers, I fell very sorry that it costed the lives of so many soldiers and innocent people in the Valley.
Name:ram
Email:
Message:this is rudicuelous
Name:Samir Chopra
Email:schopra@gc.cuny.edu
Message:Shame on the Indian Government for this spineless capitulation to terrorism.
The blood of Kashmiri innocents, the Indian Army and last, but not the least, Rippan Katyal is on their hands.
From Kargil to Kandahar, what a sad fall.
Shame too on Pakistan and Afghanistan for their aiding and abetting the murderers on Flight 814.
Name:ramprasad
Email:rmprasad@vsnl.net.in
Message:honble prime inister
got bless you you have done
the right thing.
regards
ramprasad
Name:A.K.DANGAL
Email:akdangal@hotmail.com
Message:I think Kashmir is the main issue and it will last long.Kashmir will separate after losing lot of lives.I don't think India is gainig anything from Kashmir rather losing.How East Timor was separated likewise Kashmir also be separated so that should lose any more
Name:k.v.devadiga
Email:devadiga@vsnl.com
Message:what else could have been done
Name:True Indian
Email:abap98@yahoo.com
Message:If demanding $200 mil and the
dead body is UNISLAMIC. Is it
ISLAMIC to hold innocent people
at Gunpoint?
I am very disappointed to know that
the dreaded militants are released.
One lesson what Indian Govt.
must learn from this episode
is that Militants should be
killed after getting the vital
info from them? Balls to Human
Rights and the so called orgs.
Its time to keep the BRILLIANT
BABUS out of strategic depts
like defence.. They are all
only good in Arts, History,
Anthropolgy, Socialogy,..
THere has to be throrough revamp
of Indian admin.
and more good in
Name:Singh B.S
Email:bsingh75@hotmail.com
Message:Hi,
I am absolutely astonished that the hijackers and the terrorist are being let off. News report now say that they have been given a jeep to drive away from Afganisthan. It seems they are going to a "third" country.
What is so shocking about the whole thing is why doesn't the taliban arrest the hijackers now if they are not a part of this hijacking episode. These hijackers who have traumatized innocent civilians and killed one of them are just given a jeep and asked to drive away !!! what kind of civilization exists in Afganisthan ??? why can't they arrest the terrorist now ?
It is any body's guess as to which is the third 3rd country they are going to "drive" to is. If this is not supporting and sponsoring terrorism, then what is ? What is the world going to do about it ?
India has definetley sold out on national interest but they didn't have another choice as the plane was in hostile terrority.
We must releaize that we are surronded by neighbours who are no better than animals. These people lack compassion or any traits which is expected from any civilization.
India must deal with these neighbours ruthlessly. The next step is to hit missiles at the training camps of Harkat-Ul-ansar (or whatever organization) this terrorist belong to irrespective of which ever country these camps exists in. If these countries cannot understand the principles of peace and co-existence so be it.
The government should not shy away from hard decisions. How long could we expect peace in the region with these kind of rogue countries whose only aim to sponsor terrorism into india.
Regards
Singh B.S
Name:Sandeep Bhatia
Email:bhatiasandeep@hotmail.com
Message:The hijacking and its eventual resolution again serve to highlight that India is placed in a very hostile neighbourhood. But will we ever learn from our mistakes? Will we take the safety and security of our citizens more seriously in the future? Or will the famed Indian callousness to all public and government matters soon take over. It is unfortunately reflected everywhere in the penurious state of public finances, the state of our physical infrastructure and miserable living conditions for most of our citizens.
The only long term solution is economic progress underpinned by an educated populace and accountable public institutions. Only then will we have the power - political, technological and financial to protect the nation.
Name:Shravan Pulijala
Email:spulijala@yahoo.com
Message:It is with utter shame and ignominy that I write this. Now I am convinced that our government is filled with eunuchs and chickens. If they had to release a militant, why put the nation through hell for 7 days. The PM says they were able to 'scale down' the demands. Scale down? My foot. Initially the hijackers sought the release of only Azhar. Now they have 3 militants free. Plus, we let go of 5 more (hijackers themselves). In essence, we have 'released' eight militants. This is the respect and homage the govt pays for the lives of those that died while trying to catch these militants. Once again our politicians have compromised what our armed forces have achieved. This is shameful...
Name:Amita
Email:junkag@htomail.com
Message:The release of the three militants in the crisis of flight814 is indeed an act of cowardice by the Inidan government who has put the sacrifices made by the thousands of our brave young men and women to shame. This is an act of bowing down to the terrorist activity. One would think that the act of recognizing Taleban would be another humiliating move made by the government. It was a battle of nerves and the Indian government should have held out for the sake of the millions safety it is responsible for. This act of weakness will further the cause of militancy and increase the number of such incidents in the future. This government shall always be responsible for this terrible precedent it has set.
Name:Kaushal Mehta
Email:kaushm@usa.net
Message:You can never deal with terrorists ! PERIOD.
Name:Dharmendra Mishra
Email:dharmendram@usa.net
Message:On a whole it was a far better deal , but the question to dwell is how the situation came onto this.
and what will happen from here.
Name:Kuldip K. Sud
Email:sudca@vsnl.com
Message:The people who are critcing the Govt's handling of the crises are living in fools paradise. The retd. director of BSF is talking of the adverse consequences of releasing the militants. Had his son been on the plane what would have been his reaction. It is very easy to talk when one is not directly involved. The release of 3 militants to save the life of 160 innocent persons is not going to loose Kashmir for India. The only important thing is to tone up the beaurocracy and make them awnserable for any lapses.
Name:Venkat
Email:
Message:I guess all the hype of the govt not bending to terrorists was only a show off.
After all they did buckle under fear. i wonder why the discussions went on for 8 days if they wanted to release the 3 people.
The bjp govt . was thought to be more strong but alas thats not true. What about the 10s-100s of people these militants kill everyday and the security forces who fight for their lives to catch these terrorists.? I guess from the govt pt of view it does not matter what happens to the army personnel .
i feel that india should have stood by its statement that it will not bend to terrorists.
Name:idris bayan
Email:infohouse@reddif.com
Message:do coommando operation.
Name:Indian
Email:Indianmonkey@hotmail.com
Message:Now the Govt. should change the law to kill all the militants in Indain jail.
Or make a law that Govt. will release the militant only if they kidnap relatives of the Ministers
Name:Dr.M.Gupta
Email:gupta2@home.com
Message:prudence required that the lives of the hotsages be saved, within reason.It becomes esssential now that to prevent such episode in future.India should learn from Isreal how to persue the terrorists and not let them live in peace.
Name:Tapan
Email:abtn@yahoo.com
Message:May we request our weak Indian Govt. to kill these killers (terrorists) after interrogation when we catch hold of them or during encounter deliberately. Then their comrades will not get a chance to release them. This will be the best gift to Indians from their weak, corrupted Govt.
Name:Dharmaraj Khot
Email:khotraj@hotmail.com
Message:The recent national trauma over the hijacking of IA shows the shaken foundations of trust of our countrymen in our motherland. First, it was V.P. Singh who set an irresponsible precedence by succumbing to kidnappers demands, now, A B Vajpayee has followed the suit by letting three terrorists off the hook. What has happened to our patriotism, national pride, national courage? Do these words mean to us anything, if at all they do? Or are they relegated to the realms of political rhetoric? It was definitely a disappointing situation to see our Prime Minister succumb to the terriorists pressure. Now it's proven fact that an Indian Prime Minister can be blackmailed for lives of his countrymen,- a dangerous and self-destructive notion which might be tried by anti-Indian elements in future. At this point of time, we as a country, need to stop and introspect ourselves to examine the horror of selling the national interests and allowing our enemies to toy with our feeling. The feeling that may weigh well over the national interests. Time and again we need to ask our souls, not just ask but meditate seriously, what we can do for the nation and not expect the otherwise. In this episode of national stigma, the government is not at fault, the people of this country are. It was our natural and rational responsibility, as a citizen, to trust our government and its ability to function in the interest of the nation at large. We defied our own government by putting unwarranted and rediculous pressure on it to act selfishly and enough to convince the world how fragile we are, that we are incapabel of handling any pressures. The people of any country have the first responsibility toward the nation, their motherland. Everything else is secondary when national interests are at stake. I think, we the people of India, conveniently forgot this duty to our motherland. We weakened the government to bow to hijickers demands. Let this in
Name:Vikas Bhatia
Email:vikas_bhatia@india.com
Message:The act of Hijacking, is indeed an act of weaklings but succumbing to the demands is even a more weak act. Although i do appreciate the way the situation was handled by the govt. but still I am more concerned about the safety of the nation on wider scale. The hard work, the sacrifices done by our boys in capturing the bastards has gone in vain. I can only wish and pray that the new millenium shall anounce the downfall of terrorism and victory and peace and stability for my motherland.
Name:vineesh
Email:vinkhanna@yahoo.com
Message:The Indian govenmenent has
acted like jerks - BIG TIME.
I have nothing more to say as
I am speechless.
Read what other readers said:
'Get into Afghanistan and kill the hijackers'
'The Govt should directly talk with the hijackers and release the passengers without succumbing to their demands'
'Distract the hijackers, storm the plane, shoot the criminals and rescue the hostages'
'An SOP must be in place, formulated without a second's delay'
'We should do an operation a la Entebbe whatever the consequences'
'The Govt should avail of all diplomatic means to get the passengers released'
'Never give in to terrorist demands'
'The relatives' behaviour is understandable --- they are under emotional pressure'
'It is scary to think what the 35 terrorists would do if they were released'
'Indian are and will always be ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation'
Want to tell us how you feel? Click on to our Message Board on the Nightmare of Flight 814
THE COMPLETE COVERAGE:
Nightmare on Flight 814
Tell us what you think of this feature
|
