Falling down

• Sir - People losing their lives on account of falling trees has become a serious problem. Such incidents occur regularly in Mumbai, particularly in the rainy season, resulting in death, injury or damage to property. Recently, in Chembur, another person lost her life when a tree fell on her. The woman, who was the breadwinner of her family, was sitting on a bench under the gulmohar tree. Municipal bodies keep making excuses about the pathetic state of tree covers in urban areas. The truth is that pavements in Indian cities are often cemented very close to the tree trunks. This adversely affects the soil. Environmentalists and NGOs must demand that the government set guidelines about the soil around trees being left bare. There must also be a specialized cell under the state forest department for the inspection of trees. This will also ensure that people remain safe.

S. Kamat,

Alto Santa Cruz, Goa

Ugly hatred

• Sir - I was appalled to read about the heinous murder in Rajasthan of a migrant worker from Bengal ("Labourer from Malda killed in Rajasthan", Dec 8). Afrajul Khan was attacked and burnt on the suspicion of having committed 'love jihad '. Such inhuman actions are destroying the country. I hope that a thorough investigation will be conducted and the culprit punished. The prime minister, Narendra Modi, should take a break from his foreign visits and pay attention to the sorry condition of India. It is a shame that citizens are no longer safe in their own country.

Md. Rustam Parwez,

Hyderabad

Sir - It was shocking that a labourer from Bengal was brutally hacked to death in Rajasthan and no one came to his rescue. There was even a video of the murder circulated on the internet. Such beastly acts highlight how unsafe migrant labourers who work in other states are. The Rajasthan police's excuse - that such a murder could not have been committed by a "normal" human being - is flimsy. Nobody has the right to attack another person.

What is most unfortunate is that the prime minister is least bothered about condemning the outrageous act. The chief minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, ought to have stood by the bereaved family in a more resolute manner. Afrajul Khan, apart from being a migrant worker, was also a visitor to her state. The government should have ensured his safety; it cannot shirk responsibility in this case. Afrajul's death is also a matter of shame for the people of Rajasthan. All political parties must come together to ensure the safety of people residing in the state. Such incidents should not be allowed to occur again.

Ratan Kumar Halder,

Calcutta

Beastly treatment

• Sir - The media and the public enjoyed a moment of mirth when the Uttar Pradesh police arrested a group of donkeys ("It's a donkey's life", Dec 2). However, the incident highlights the ways in which the police operate in India. The animals were fortunate to have been released a mere four days after their arrest. Many people, however, are not so lucky - even if they are innocent, they remain in jail for years after their arrest. For example, a man from Muzaffarpur was imprisoned for two years for apparently having murdered his wife for dowry, although the latter had actually run away with another man. Urgent reforms are required for the police force.

Subodh Jha,

Gangtok

• Sir - The editorial, "It's a donkey's life", has rightly said that it is not just wildlife that deserves protection; domesticated animals, too, must be extended some form of security. It is heartbreaking to watch the suffering of animals such as cows and buffaloes headed for slaughterhouses. Smaller animals like rams, goats, sheep and pigs suffer a similar fate. How can people look the other way when hundreds of chickens are hung from bicycles in order to be transported to local markets?

This is not to say that human beings are treated much better. Recently, the young girl who was assaulted in her school and her parents had to visit two police stations and make two trips to the hospital before they got any help ("Long road to an assault FIR", Dec 2). Ordinary people are unable to even lodge a complaint with ease. India might have laws against animal torture, but cruelty - whether it is against people or animals - has become normalized.

Asit Kumar Mitra,

Calcutta

Parting shot

• Sir - The Supreme Court's directive to establish courts in all states and Union territories to assess and collect compensation for damage caused to public property during hartals is welcome. Court verdicts on hartals are often overlooked. If rules for the prevention of damage to public property were strictly enforced, victims could directly claim compensation from the culprits.

K.A. Solaman,

Alappuzha, Kerala