Sir— This refers to the editorial, “The dance of hatred” (June 26). Disrobing a police officer on duty and beating him mercilessly till he dies, by the irate mob, is undoubtedly an atrocious act of cruelty and barbarity and must be condemned strongly. Worrying trends are developing in Kashmir valley by some selected mischievous elements inspired and brainwashed by the separatists. Unless the separatist leaders, who are instrumental in unleashing violence and unrest in the valley, are ruthlessly contained, peace, order and harmony are not possible there. The rights activities and dubious secularists who criticise the ‘excessive’ use of force, remain silent when security officials are targeted. It is time the policy of leniency be abandoned and plausible decision and actions judging the situation, taken to preserve the national interest.