Armed forces deserve more respect than this

Wanting to 'keep out the armed forces' in tackling the maoist menace is a decent argument that The Hindu tries to make in its editorial. I have no problems with you guys making you own case on what you think is right.

But in your attempt to make your argument more sound how fair is it to call the armed forces "instruments of violence".

'True, the state is constitutionally and legally empowered to use instruments of violence'. (link)

I mean there is a point of showing some discretion when referring to the ladies and gentlemen of the army who fight wars for us quite far away from their own kin and kith without knowing when they would get the next opportunity to see them.

They are not mere barbarians that kill at will. We owe them a hell lot than you showed willingness to give in your editorial.