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What a tragic day it was yesterday. The terrorists keep reminding us like a snooze in an alarm, that we are not safe.

We have seen in the past, the Ministers being changed, blames exchanged, candles lit, prayers conducted, Public anger vented out, our Intelligence scrutinized and whole lot of exercises which has become a routine after such attacks.

Our amnesia gives power to the terrorists to strike back. Our amnesia more often takes the heat off the people who have been entrusted to protect us.

We all agree that the porous society offers opportunity for the terrorists to strike at will. Should we just blame the Government or the Intelligence Agencies or should we contribute to stop this menace.

The terrorist whether from within or from outside mingle with the society before they plot and strike. We have to be more watchful. But how? Any guidelines? Is this enough. Is it enough only to take care of ourselves? We all have a responsibility towards our society and our Nation.

The Government/Agencies should utilize the people power in denying victory for terrorists. I have a few suggestions to place.

• The Government/Agencies needs to strengthen the Home Guards and induct Volunteers in every City and Districts of India. These volunteers should be given training on identifying suspicious activities, handling emergencies and handling relief operations. These volunteers will be the eyes and ears of the Intelligence Agencies.
  
• Each and every police station should have one person who should be assigned to coordinate with these Volunteers and be involved only in gathering intelligence information.
  
• All the volunteers should be briefed with an encrypted email, daily, on the security threats and other intelligence activities conducted by the Agencies.
  
• The identity of the Volunteers should not be exposed. Each Volunteer should be identified by a code.
  
• The Government/Agencies should fix a target on the number volunteers required based on the population in that area.
  

The critical question here is the selection of Volunteers. There are two ways in handling it. The first approach should be to select volunteers amongst the responsible citizens of the society.

• The applicants should be screened by the local police before being selected.
  
• A thorough examination should be conducted after the training and only those who make the grade should be inducted in this.
  
• The Volunteers should be allowed to undergo oral examination and should not be subject to written examinations alone. The aim is to identify volunteers who have the aptitude to identify suspicion. Their education level should not be a criteria.
  
• Government/Agencies should conduct periodic reviews and discontinue communications with Volunteers who do not act or respond.
  

The Second method that can be followed by the Government/Agencies in handling the selection of Volunteers is by ‘catching them young’.

We have Scouts, National Cadet Corps and NSS in schools. Are these mere extra curricular activities for the Students? I don’t think so. The Scout masters, NCC and NSS heads in the respective schools should select students and send them for Basic Training. The Agencies can short list Volunteers from this group of Students.

I hail from Chennai and I have seen the home guards doing a fantastic job every day in busy traffic areas (especially in an Area called T. Nagar), regulating traffic. These are voluntary service rendered by them and they have been doing a highly efficient work. Every single person passing by the congested T. Nagar area would vouch for this. These home guards manning the traffic during busy hours have been given uniforms as well.

One can also find NCC and NSS cadres manning crossings near their school and facilitating their fellow students cross the roads in orderly manner. These things have been happening in Chennai for many years. I am sure such activities could be found in many parts of India.

My point here is, such voluntary contribution by the Public will work and strengthen our society. The strengthening of Home guards and providing them with training will surely play a great role in gathering intelligence information to the Government/Agencies. People power is enormous and the Government/Agencies need to involve the people in tacking terrorist activities in India.