Help delinquent children to grow up as responsible adults This refers to Harsh Mander’s article Let’s reach out in time (Democracy Wall, January 14). While the clamour for death penalty for the juvenile accused in the brutal gang rape of a 23-year-old medical student is growing, I feel that reforming sentences and corrections can ensure that delinquent children find their way to responsible adulthood. Children left to fend for themselves on streets often become victims of sexual violence, substance abuse and are vulnerable to committing crimes. Many studies have identified street children as the highest risk group in terms of potential criminals. Thus, it is very important for the government to come up with an integrated programme that ensures street children are brought into the mainstream.

GN Prasad, via email 

II

It is absolutely wrong on the part of the writer to treat a criminal as a victim. The juvenile involved in the December 16 gang rape was the most barbaric among all the accused as it was he who reportedly removed the victim’s intestines with his bare hands and suggested that she be thrown off the bus. All crimes are symptomatic of a malaise in society. But this does not make all criminals misunderstood victims. A criminal should be treated as a criminal irrespective of his/her socio-economic antecedents.

Anangsen, via email 

Dialogue with Pakistan is futile

This refers to the editorial At the expense of its neighbour (Our Take, January 14). The way Pakistan has reacted to the recent skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) indicates that it attaches no importance to our concerns. This must force the Indian authorities to ponder whether is it prudent to limit our response to dialogue with the political machinery in Pakistan.

MK Roomi, via email