The burden of being a 'civilised' state

This refers to the news report, “Terror carpet laid out for PM in J&K” (June 25).

Eight jawans were killed and 13 seriously injured in a brazen ambush by pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in Kashmir on Monday. This was the second such ghastly incident in three days and happened on the eve of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the valley. Unfortunately, our defence personnel will not be able to give a befitting reply to the terrorists. For if they do, human rights activists will pounce upon them and ‘secular' politicians will rush to console the family members of the terrorists. 

It seems that leaders of the Hizbul Mujahideen and numerous other militant outfits are to be handled with kid gloves. They can only be arrested after clinching evidence is collected against them, and then offered a fair and just trial. WhyIJ Because ours is a civilised state where the rights of the accused take precedence over the rights of the victims!