Indian expatriates split over decision to shoot down a hijacked plane

Indian residents in the UAE expressed mixed reactions to a tough decision taken by the Indian government's Cabinet Committee on Security last week.

The committee cleared a proposal to shoot down hijacked passenger aircraft on condition that security agencies are convinced that the plane would be used as a missile.

Gopakumar, a business development manager who has lived in the country for ten years, did not agree with the new policy.

"It could be some of my relatives or myself on that plane. I don't think it's the right move. Many innocent people will die. What I want to know is whether such a decision would be taken if a politician's relative is on board."

As an alternative, he opted for negotiations.

"Negotiations are always better. That way, at least some innocent lives can be saved."

Shishir Jha, the general manager for human resources at Jumbo Electronics, felt that the essence of the decision was not flawed.

"It's not a bad decision, even if I or my family were on board and thousands of lives were at risk. The message should be sent unequivocally to terrorists that they should think twice before perpetrating such a crime. Making it known could be a powerful deterrent. The world is going through tremendous insecurity. Some such measures have to be taken. Let the terrorists be worried, I'm not."

A senior manager at a shipping company, Cyrus Chacko, travels extensively almost every month. He felt the policy decision was unreasonable.

"I am not agreeable to this kind of decision. It could be my family on that flight. Just like any hostage situation, I expect the government to negotiate. You just don't wipe out an entire plane."

Naveen Kapoor, a governing council member at the Indian Business Council, felt the country should be put first. "If there is a threat to national security, the plane should definitely be shot down, but there should be an elaborate and foolproof process to determine the threat."

Social worker, Omana Menon, felt the decision was entirely arbitrary. "Don't the passengers have a say in the matter? My first reaction is that there may be no other way, but we must weight the pros and cons."