Lurking danger

• Sir - It is absurd that the forest department has lodged a first information report against the policeman who shot a leopard that had strayed into a residential colony in Lucknow ("Plan for FIR on police for leopard killing", Feb 18). The policeman apparently killed the leopard in self-defence. There is no doubt that cruelty towards animals must be prevented. But in this case, the animal could have killed the policeman or those around him had it not been shot. Instead of taking offence after the leopard had been killed, the forest officials should have been more prompt in tracking its movements. Would the department have taken responsibility of the lives lost had the policeman not acted promptly?

K.V. Seetharamaiah, 
Hassan, Karnataka

Cross carefully

• Sir - It is true that jaywalkers are responsible for a majority of the road accidents that take place in Calcutta ("Phone-less pill for jaywalkers", Feb 18). But confiscating for a little while the phones of pedestrians using these devices while crossing the road is not a solution. On the contrary, this would raise questions regarding a person's right to privacy.

One solution to the problem could be clearing all the pavements of the city, which are at present blocked by hawkers. The police and the state government should take the necessary steps in this matter so that pedestrians can walk freely on the footpaths. Second, the government should construct underpasses at busy junctions, in order to ensure that pedestrians do not have to risk life and limb to cross roads. They would also not have to inhale the harmful fumes emitted by idling vehicles. Implementing such steps in a phased manner would surely bring down the number of accidents in Calcutta.

R.M. Chackraburtty,
Calcutta

• Sir - The number of road accidents has shown a sharp increase recently. Reckless driving, riding two-wheelers without helmets, talking over mobile phones while driving or walking on the road are some of the reasons for this. But such deaths can easily be avoided if only people are a bit more conscious about the steep price that such carelessness can invite.

One should not forget that people risk not just their own lives but also the lives of others. Just framing laws will not help, awareness about these regulations is equally important.

Tapash Chatterjee,
Calcutta

Time to think 

• Sir - A woman has sought a ban on pornographic websites, citing them as the reason behind her ruined marriage ("Marriage 'ruined', woman seeks porn ban", Feb 16). In her affidavit, the woman has stated that her husband's addiction to porn had led to the loss of his virility. A similar ban was sought by Kamlesh Vaswani in 2013, alleging that gang rapes and sexual assaults are linked to pornography. Indeed, it must be noted that easy access to the internet, and thus pornography, has had an adverse effect on today's youth. This needs to be given serious thought by parents and teachers so that the future of our children do not get ruined.

Jahar Saha,
Calcutta

Flushed away 

• Sir - Ashok V. Desai has concluded his article, "Dance of politicians" (Feb 20), by saying that a solution to the 'Dalit problem' is the use of flush toilets. But, as Desai himself points out, it needs ample water supply, electricity and underground drainage. A majority of the community is too poor to even afford two square meals a day. Installing flush toilets is expensive and not a favourable idea for them.

Sanjit Ghatak,
Narendrapur

Parting shot

• Sir - Amit Roy's article, "To crown or not to crown prince" (Feb 14), happens to mention me. Not only does the report distort reality, but it is also malicious and irresponsible. Neither the Commonwealth secretariat nor I commented on the WikiLeaks revelations when they emerged some eight years ago as it was not appropriate to do so about leaked diplomatic cables. The allegation that I was part of a plot to ensure that Prince Charles does not succeed his mother as head of the Commonwealth is outrageous and libellous. The Prince of Wales is fully aware of the deep respect that I have for him.

Amitav Banerji,
London

(An earlier version had misspelt Mr Banerji's name. We apologise for the mistake.)