May be going off the line here but don’t you think our government agencies were / are in knee jerk reaction mode? Consider:
1: Tighter controls on opening bank accounts and issue of credit cards. All credit card and bank accounts to be vigorously verified and tightening of know your customer norms. etc.
Do they think that terrorist can only be from outside India? So what will you do now? For one bad fish all will be punished. Cash transactions and hawla transactions are not controllable despite of all laws and regulations in place. We need out of box thinking. Why not ease transaction hassles so that average Joe does his transactions through channels that are visible but not regulated. This is important and vital distinction and can help security agencies to spot remittances that could be problematic or associated with terror links. Although no where in the world this has been a deterance as money takes may forms from valuable metals to stones to hard currencies or even food in places.
2. Increased security checks. For some one who will come prepared to die what will metal detectors and frisking offer? Do you seriously think they will pose any obstacle to some one who has come to attack? A few more people dead without any increase in security resistance. Schools/Malls have rolled out security frisking. What will it achieve? If a (or a group) terrorist wanted to storm in would this be a barrier?
3. Citizens are actively prevented from owning guns: All outlaws can and do possess all concevieable weapons. And they know that law abiding average Joe is not allowed (or allowed with stupid and innumerable restrictions) so becomes even easier target. They know chances are most remote that any one would be having any self protection. How many guns would be issued to security/police agencies? And even if the police guy has a gun would he be brave to stand ground against terrorists? While I am not fully convinced about carrying arms is an answer but I do not see such restrictions achieving anything.
4. Internet and mobile communications are societal change enablers and putting restriction on use is counter productive. Terrorist can use sat phones any where and anytime. So why put restrictions which just build walls for common Joe? Yes there can be a case for being able to trace down the owner but insistence on ration cards (or similar) easily “procurable” documents makes a mockery of the process. The governmental agencies handling these are riddled with incompetence and graft.
Any more thoughts?
