By IANS,
New York : Unsparing in their denunciation of terror attacks in Mumbai, Indian Americans have slammed intelligence failure and asked Indian leaders to display the “same single-minded focus” in dealing with terrorism as they have done in raising the global profile of India in recent years.
Alluding to multiple terror attacks in Mumbai that have killed 152 people and left over 300 injured, a broad-based coalition of Indian Americans said the attacks pointed to “major and multiple breakdowns across the internal and external intelligence agencies, centre-state coordination on law and order as well as political-bureaucratic-civil society continuum”.
“As non resident Indians, we note how India has come to be recognised as a rising power as a result of successive recent governments assiduously pursuing and successfully accomplishing projects to advance the country’s profile on the international stage,” said Coalition Against Genocide, which comprises scores of Indian Americans cutting across caste and religious lines.
“However, we also note with dismay and frustration that similar single minded focus and resolve seems to be lacking in successive governments, when it comes to ensuring the life, liberty and livelihood of ordinary citizens,” they said in a statement Saturday.
“We, therefore, call upon leaders across political spectrum towards a renewed sense of single minded focus on this very fundamental and basic purpose of government,” the statement said.
Condemning the attacks, they demanded that “the highest echelons of political decision makers be held accountable for what seems to be widespread and escalating trend of abject failures in protecting precious lives of ordinary citizens and preserving the pluralistic fabric of India”.
They also lauded the “courageous and selfless service” of security personnel and professionalism of hotel staff in rescuing hostages held by terrorists in two luxury hotels in Mumbai.
“We call upon all political forces in India to build upon this unique character rather than fomenting divisive agenda for short term gains,” the statement added.
The US is home to around 2.5 million Indian Americans who form a sturdy bridge between the world’s largest democracies.