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Army and human rights On
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Reduce stress to check suicides by Ramesh Davesar Cases of suicide and killing of colleagues in the security forces are on the rise. In October alone, 12 officers and jawans have lost their lives. This disturbing trend, if not checked immediately, will adversely affect the morale and operational efficiency of the troops and the units.
Profile Warning to General Musharraf Diversities — Delhi
Letter
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Army and human rights THE Indian Army continues to get bad press for its alleged human rights violations in areas affected by militancy. The issue merits examination from a wider perspective. The disturbed internal situation in the country has two distinct connotations. In the North-east, it has been insurgency, starting from Nagaland in the fifties and spreading thereafter to other states. The insurgents were local people, fighting for independence or greater autonomy. Being indigenous movement, the insurgents were sensitive towards safety of the local population and generally avoided violence in inhabited areas. They adopted the normal guerrilla tactics of hit and run and seldom if ever, engaged the security forces in a head-on combat. Their weapons and equipment, at least in the early stages were rudimentary, mainly of the Second World War vintage recovered from dead Japanese soldiers. The external support (from China) was limited and dried out as the Sino-Indian relations improved. A small portion of the regular Army was adequate to contain the violence down to a level where democratic institutions could continue functioning. The Army’s concurrent developmental work played a significant part in weaning the population away from the cause of insurgency. Even the insurgents welcomed development of their areas. Thus, winning the proverbial hearts and minds became an effective tool to combat insurgency. In Jammu and Kashmir, the situation has been vastly different. The level of violence is much higher, as is evident from the number of militants, soldiers and civilians killed. A large number of militants are foreigners who have no stake in development of the region, or in the safety of the civilian inhabitants, whom they often use as human shields. The militants also possess weapons and equipment of much higher sophistication and greater lethality. Quite often, they adopt the ‘stand and fight’ tactics. More crucially, Pakistan is actively involved. The training, logistics, weapons and psychological motivation of the militants are sourced from across the Line of Control. It has tied down a relatively large part of our regular Army. Therefore, it is a misnomer to term the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir as insurgency. It is war; a war being fought by Pakistan through proxy; a war to bleed India through a thousand cuts. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and the Disturbed Area Act that have been promulgated in militancy affected areas often attract ire of the intellectuals. These are considered draconian measures in a democratic country. However, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir being nothing short of war, the Army has to be given special powers to deal with the problem effectively. To expect our Army to handle this war-like situation while adhering to peace time rule books, and still produce results, would be unrealistic and unreasonable. The Army must of course ensure — and it does — that these powers are not misused. Our Army has been involved in handling insurgency for nearly five decades. Viewed dispassionately, and vis-à-vis other armies similarly involved, their human rights record has been good. (What the Sri Lankan forces are doing in their northern region or what the Pakistan Army is doing in Baluchistan would be an eye opener). The importance they attach to the subject is evident from the fact the Army raised their internal human rights organisation in March 1993, even before the creation of our National Human Rights Commission. Dedicated Human Rights Cells exist at all headquarters from the Division upward. Army Chiefs have been personally emphasising this aspect. In the late General Joshi’s ‘ten commandments’ as counter insurgency aide-mémoire, protection of human rights featured prominently. Even the present Army Chief General J.J. Singh has sternly warned that human rights violations would not be tolerated. The subject has been included in the training syllabus of recruits, cadets and junior leaders attending various Army courses. In addition, all alleged violations are promptly investigated by the Army and those found guilty are awarded stringent punishment. As on date Army has punished 110 persons of different ranks. We need to remember that many a time the allegations are motivated and are either false or exaggerated, in order to discourage the security forces from pursuing their active anti-insurgent agenda. To malign and discourage the security forces is always a part of any insurgency movement. In Jammu and Kashmir in particular, it is a highly organised and coordinated activity. Admittedly, in the uncertain scenario, mistakes do occur as they inevitably would. At times due to mistaken identity or in cross fire, innocents get killed. The bereaved family naturally expects the involved soldiers to be held culpable and be punished. However, it would not be right to punish Army men for genuine mistakes committed in the discharge of their duties. That would be counter-productive. And the Army has effective methods to sift genuine mistakes from dereliction. Our Army too needs to gain greater public confidence in the affected areas. Transparency in trial of alleged violators should help. In the mid-nineties in Nagaland, a soldier had allegedly killed two innocent civilians. Despite a clamour that he should be tried by civil courts — as the Army would ‘leave’ him — we tried him by a court martial. The proceedings were open to public, where the next of kin of the victims and the media were specially invited. After 18 days of deliberation the court found him guilty of murder and pronounced death sentence. The transparency underscored the fairness and speed with which the Army dispenses justice and had a salutary effect in moulding public opinion in favour of the Army. Secondly, despite instructions to the contrary, some over-zealous junior commanders still use body count as a barometer for judging performance of units. The Army needs to curb this ruthlessly, without curbing the legitimate zeal, enthusiasm and initiative of troops at all levels. The writer is a former Deputy Chief of the Army Staff
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On
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Though
a six-time MLA and former minister at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh, K. Chandrasekhar Rao (popularly known as KCR) shot into national limelight after he launched the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in April 2001. His only agenda was creating a separate Telangana state. A postgraduate in literature, he is known for his excellent oratorical skills and political acumen. With 5 MPs and 26 MLAs for the TRS in 2004 polls, he gave a new lease of life to the Telangana slogan. An unconventional politician, Rao likes to leap where his traditional colleagues would fear to tread. After having quit the Union Cabinet, he flared up the issue of Telangana again by nonchalantly resigning from the Lok Sabha. In an interview to The Sunday Tribune, he speaks about his game plan for Telangana at the imposing Telangana Bhavan, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Excerpts: Q: Why did you force a by-election in Karimnagar? A:
The Congress has precipitated the matter by throwing a challenge. I was any way planning to quit Lok Sabha, but the Congress hastened the process by throwing the gauntlet. We will now prove that the people of Telangana are solidly behind us. Q: How is the Karimnagar by-election a referendum on the demand for Telangana statehood? What is the basis of your optimism? A:
There is a strong Telangana sentiment across various sections in the region. The TRS will not win because I am the candidate, but because of the strength of the cause. Ever since my resignation, there has been an outpouring of solidarity for our struggle. People from all walks of life — students, academics, intellectuals, professionals, NGOs — are coming forward to make Telangana heard through this election. Q: Have you not raised the stakes unreasonably for Telangana by making the by-election a do-or-die battle? A:
The fight for Telangana has entered a decisive phase. The time is ripe to achieve the goal of separate state. The people are becoming restive and their patience is being tested because of the Congress’ devious games. This election outcome will take the Telangana voice to Delhi’s corridors of power. Q: The Telangana sentiment has tapered off because of the TRS’ declining public support, says the Congress. How? A: The days of the Congress rule in the state are numbered. Its party leaders will face the Telangana people’s wrath for betraying the statehood cause. The Congress came to power with our help, and even Mrs Sonia Gandhi sported the pink scarf (TRS colour) during the last election meetings. Now, we will see how they will ask for the Telangana people’s votes. Q: Development initiatives by the Rajasekhara Reddy government have weakened the Telangana sentiment, says the Congress. Any comment? A: Telangana is bleeding because of successive governments’ deliberate injustice. Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy is doing more harm to this region than what Mr Chandrababu Naidu did during his nine-year rule. Consider any sector — irrigation, power, education, employment or industries — Telangana has suffered neglect. The Polavaram and Pulichintala irrigation projects will sound the death knell of the farmers in this region. Similarly, thousands of jobs originally meant for the region were knocked off by the migrants from other regions. Despite our fight in and outside the Assembly, 610 GO, which seeks to rectify the anomaly, has not been implemented. The legacy of imbalance is increasing. Q: Of late, you have been saying that development is not the key issue. A:
Yes, development is no substitute for separate Telangana. The people want self-rule. It is a question of our self-respect. Our language, our culture and our history are different from those of Andhra. Our resources, our land and our waters have been looted for years now. The Congress cannot go back on its promise on Telangana on the false argument of development. Nothing short of Telangana state is acceptable. Q: Your detractors say that by joining the UPA government, you had compromised on Telangana. A: No. The TRS has been successful in taking the Telangana issue to the centerstage of national politics. During my stay in Delhi, I had met leaders of all parties and convinced them about the separate state. Many MPs, cutting across party lines, have supported our cause. It is only because of the Congress’ adamant attitude that we had to pull out of the UPA. The Congress leadership is trying to fool the people by claiming that there was no political consensus on Telangana. In fact, almost all the parties, with the exception of the Left, who also said they would not come in the way of the bifurcation, are agreeable to it. It was only because of its own political calculations that the Congress denied our demand. Q: Yours is only a sub-regional party. How do you hope to make your dream a reality? A: During our stint in Delhi, we have understood that it’s all a game of numbers there. If the Congress were to continue with its double standards, it will have no MP elected from Telangana in the next elections. We will then go to Parliament with at least 15 out of the 17 Lok Sabha seats from the region. And that will make a big difference in these days of coalition politics. Moreover, with the BJP’s support for Telangana, the Congress will stand to lose, if it continues to dither. Telangana will be a reality sooner than later.
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Reduce stress
to check suicides Cases
of suicide and killing of colleagues in the security forces are on the rise. In October alone, 12 officers and jawans have lost their lives. This disturbing trend, if not checked immediately, will adversely affect the morale and operational efficiency of the troops and the units. Clearly, these incidents are a cumulative result of stress emanating from over-deployment, over-ambitious operational objectives, lack of basic amenities and, above all, the local people’s attitude. Of late, mismanagement at higher command levels, subjective yardsticks for accountability and awards, quantification of results, zero error syndrome have all led to an unhealthy competition amongst troops and units. Situation hazards and environmental vagaries under which the units are performing are unimaginable. Inadequate administrative backup and prolonged isolation add to miseries. The units along the LoC and in counter-insurgency operations work round the clock, without any rest. Regular communication between a Commander and his team will boost the morale of the troops and assuage their hardships. This is missing today. A lone central police organisation jawan deployed in Srinagar’s Down Town or Main Market is like an island in the ocean of public hatred. Security personnel on such duties are vulnerable and often fall prey to the militants’ bullets. Similarly, jawans on a road opening party are often left to fend for themselves. Their operational hardship multiplies stress. The troops must be fully trained to face the impending task. Stress management training should be organised right from the time of recruitment and then graduated to advanced training through specialised courses. Certain factors need consideration. One, training must be uniform for all forces including paramilitary, central and state police. The expertise of the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) — first of its kind in the world — should be used for training the troops. Prior to their induction in LoC/counter-insurgency environment, they must have pre-induction training at the CIJWS which should be shifted to Patnitop-Ramban (J&K). Two, stress and conflict management is a must in basic training for jawans and officers, followed by fresh courses in the Army schools of instruction or formation battle schools. Three, in addition to regular medical examination, all ranks must be put through quarterly psychiatric tests. At the unit/sub-unit level, the Buddy system must be enforced strictly. The grievance redressal machinery should be speeded up. Provide telephones to break monotony and organise rest and recoup camps where a unit is disengaged from the frontline duties for 3-4 weeks. Families too could join their spouses during such camps. This concept worked wonders during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka. We must bridge the gap between commanders and jawans through frequent interactions. The writer is a retired Colonel of the Indian Army
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Profile
His services in this sphere were recognised by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) and he was conferred the prestigious Hadrian Award. The WMF gives the award every year to an international personality who has significantly advanced the preservation of world art and architecture. It works with local organisations to identify the endangered sites and publishes the list of 100 most endangered sites every two years. The recipients of the Award include such eminent persons as Aga Khan. Maharaja Gaj Singh’s interest in archaeology stems from rich cultural heritage of his erstwhile state abounding in forts, fortresses and ornate palaces. Every stone of these monuments tells the story of bygone days; of valour of Rajput warriors and sacrifices made by their valiant Ranis and Maharanis. Jodhpur and, for that matter, the whole Mewar is culturally the richest region of Rajasthan. Mehrangarh fort is a royal expression of the proud culture and tradition of Rajasthan. It was Maharaja Gaj Singh who registered the Mehrangarh fort trust with the Government of India in 1972. Since then, the majestic fort has been a great repository of weapons, clothes and utensils depicting the lifestyle of the princely rulers. Maharaja Gaj Singh fully understands the importance of preserving the country’s heritage and culture for the posterity to ensure future generations remain acquainted with their history and roots. Preservation of monuments will have to be economically viable and that objective could be achieved by promoting tourism. The Maharaja’s passion for restoration and preservation of historic sites is followed by a thrust to promotion of tourism. Besides converting his own palaces into hotels, he has provided dynamic leadership to the innovative Heritage Hotel movement. His own palace — Umaid Bhavan — is now one of the great palace hotels in the world. The Mehrangarh Fort has been turned into an internationally acclaimed museum. The Mehrangarh Museum Trust also actively promotes the arts, music and other cultural activities. Other charitable foundations settled by the Maharaja are involved in the education of girls, rehabilitation of defense personnel and their families, environmental projects in rural areas and medical care of weaker sections. Maharaja Gaj Singh is 54, but people of his erstwhile princely state call him Bapji (father). He is indeed a father-figure to them with many people-friendly projects lying on his desk for his approval and they include subjects like water harvesting, women’s empowerment, public health, promotion of tourism and restoration of traditional art and culture. On his part, he works hard, spread over many hours. “It is with love that people address me as Bapji. I don’t have any power today. This is democracy and I am just another citizen like them. I try to help them out, attempt to solve their problems”, he says. The royal family runs seven trusts, working in diverse fields. Two of them “Veerni” and “Jal Bhagirathi” are managed by him. “Veerni” means brave woman, and over the last decade we have been working towards making single and widowed women self-reliant”, says the Maharaja. The other area of focus is widow remarriage which is still a big taboo in this region. The Jal Bhagirathi Project that he started with the Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh for the conservation and optimum use of water is very special to him. Life has not been easy for Gaj Singh. His father, Maharaja Hanwant Singh, died in an air crash in 1952 when he was barely four years old. The Jodhpur state had by then merged into the Indian Union. Gaj Singh was anointed as the ruler when he was a toddler. His early years were spent in the care of his mother, the Regent Rajmata. By the time he reached eight, he was launched into a classical liberal English education; Prep School at Cothill, on to Eton College, to finish with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Christ Church, Oxford. Holidays were always spent in Jodhpur, in the performance of social duties and exploration of a glorious heritage. On return, the young Maharaja found that the government had withdrawn the privy purses and privileges of princes. He was left with two options — manage his estate and support the people working for him or just sell the property and lead a happy life. He choose the first option and thus embarked upon a journey of hardship.
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Warning to General Musharraf THE latest incident in Dargai in the North West Frontier Province is a warning to Pakistan that it may be the victim of a serious miscalculation in its Afghan policy. No country, including the United States, has been following such a clear and consistent Afghanistan policy as Pakistan, which is systematically implementing it to achieve its defined objectives. It is milching the US of billions of dollars in the name of fighting terrorism as a “frontline state” while utilising the same dollars to recruit, train, arm and sustain the Taliban cadres across the Durand Line — killing the Americans with their own taxpayers’ money. Its singular aim is not to allow a peaceful, stable, moderate and democratic Afghanistan but instead have a government in Kabul, which is not only cooperative but also not friendly towards its traditional enemy, India. Ever since the Taliban were thrown out after 9/11 attacks on America,
Pakistan has been unable to digest the loss of the strategic depth against India it had very meticulously carved out, as they were forced to cooperate
under the “bombing to stone age” threat. Pakistan adapted its strategy to the current situation, with the objective of turning the Pushtuns away from their Pashtunistan demand, but also directing their whole ire towards north. Pakistanis are pursuing the same strategy, which they employed against the Soviets to bleed the US and the allied forces till they were forced to run away, knowing fully well the inability of the developed Western nations to take the rising number of casualties. The Americans and the NATO leaders are believed to have mapped the ISI training camps, infiltration routes and confronted the Pakistanis with
documents. So much so, the overall NATO Commander in Afghanistan, Lt- Gen David Richrads even gave the exact address of Mullah Omar in Quetta. A leaked British Defence Department report also blamed entirely the ISI behind the resurgence of Taliban. At one time, after the Taliban rout from Afghanistan following 9/11, the ISI is reported to have called Haqqani to Islamabad and offered him the
Presidentship of Afghanistan on the promise of de-linking from Mullah Omar and carving out a “moderate Taliban” to hoodwink the Americans. But Haqqani refused and returned to Ghulam Khan in the mountains to keep the fight on. Mullah Haqqani is now operating from the safe sanctuary of North Waziristan provided by the Pakistan agreement with the Taliban. Ironically, Musharraf is touting the agreement, as a way to tackle the insurgency. He advocates similar agreements with the Taliban in Afghanistan and quotes the recent British “arrangement” with the Taliban in Musa Qala of Helmand. The regular arrival of coffins of jihadi “martyers” in Miranshah are greeted by the people and used to motivate the youth. More than 60 such coffins have come for burial in North Waziristan alone. President Hamid Karzai is the most worried man as it is his job which is on the line. With no fault of his, Karzai is being criticised for all the mess in the south. He had been repeatedly telling Pakistan to hold its hand of support and rein in ISI from creating all the trouble. But Pakistan has been stonewalling all his charges and telling him to put his own house in order and claiming that Pakistan has deployed 80,000 troops on its side. Karzai even gave the list of Taliban leaders and training camps in Pakistan, but Musharraf dismissed it as an old one. Musharraf even called Karzai an “ostrich” ducking the danger rather than fighting it. Despite all this, Bush, Blair and other western leaders have been publicly praising Pakistan for its support in the fight against terrorism, even
though their own commanders and diplomats tell them about the dual game of the Pakistanis. They seem to have been charmed by Musharraf by selling them the idea of
involving the Taliban through Waziristan type agreements and they have forced the proposed holding of tribal jirgas both Afghanistan and Pakistan to be jointly addressed by Musharraf and Karzai. However, here again, Musharraf again is likely to outsmart Karzai who does not have the machinery and the expertise of ISI to back him. Jirgas are not going to be the solution. Already sponsored reports are circulating that some European Union
countries have started talking of replacing Karzai with some another leader, more acceptable to the militants. One name taking the rounds is that of the former President, Prof Sibghtullah Mojaddedi, who is currently the Chairman of the Upper House of the Afghanistan Parliament. Poor Karzai may be at the receiving end for no fault of his own but because of the attitude of the Pakistani establishment. The only way by which the situation can be stemmed, if the US and NATO has to achieve its objectives in Afghanistan and beyond in the Central Asian region, is to force Pakistan to stop its designs. Elements in Pakistan have inspired most of the terrorist strikes throughout the world — be they in New York, London, Mumbai, Malegaon or Jammu and Kashmir. They have also contributed to nuclear proliferation, the latest example being North Korea. The Pakistanis know fully well that the US and the allies cannot maintain themselves in Afghanistan without their support. They offer the only land route to the landlocked country because the other way is from the Gulf through Iran, which is out of question now. The US forces are using many Pakistani bases and all supplies are from Karachi and Gawadar ports. However, Pakistan may find that its carefully worked out strategy may go wrong. The bombing of the madrassa in Bajour followed by the Dargai suicide attack on Pakistani army camp which killed over 40 Pakistani army recruits, and the latest US election results may force Musharraf to rethink, though he may not like to change his strategy.
— ANI
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Diversities — Delhi
Letter November
12 marks the day when Mahatma Gandhi made his first and last live broadcast on All India Radio in 1947 to refugees at the Kurukshetra Camp. That day is now commemorated as Public Service Broadcasting Day. In the Capital, many programmes are lined up that day — readings from Mahatma Gandhi’s broadcast and discussions on restoring public service broadcasting back to the national agenda. I have received a copy of Gandhi, Gandhism and the Gandhians (Roli). It is a collection of essays by Thomas Weber. I liked the brief foreword by Rajmohan Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson and a well known academic and writer. Rajmohan made some very stark points: “One reason for remembering Gandhi is the glaring failure of violence to achieve results in places like Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya and Sri Lanka. Tried, year after year, violence has not only failed to obtain and redress asked for; it has obscured rather than highlighted the issues at stake. We are intrigued, therefore, by Gandhi’s non-violence…Most of all, perhaps, people think of Gandhi as someone who showed that the weak can stand up the strong.” Yes, it’s this alone that is absolutely important in the present times. Gandhi showed a way for the weak to stand up the might of the strong — be it the state machinery at work or the muscle men around. Non-violence is the way to take on state terrorism and the might of those in the corridors of power. Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of ensuring clean air and water to people at the grassroot level continues to be a mirage. It is sad to go through the findings of the UNDP’s Human Development Report 2006. It is a comprehensive report. It portrays a very grim picture of our everyday living. Some basic facts that this report brings out are as follows: One in three Indians do not have access to toilets. One toilet for 1,440 people at Mumbai’s Dharavi slum stretch. In Dharavi, people rely on tankers and wells or unsafe sources for their drinking water needs. In a typical case, 15 families share one tap that works for about two hours a day. One can well imagine the havoc in terms of human life because of abysmal infrastructural facilities. The report stresses that one flush toilet may save 60 per cent of the estimated 1.8 million children who die of diarrhoea worldwide each year.
Why blow up non-issues? I was just about too sure of paying little heed to the so-called
veil controversy. But then, the last 10 days or so I have been asked even by vague acquaintances what I think of the veil and more
along the strain. For me, this is a non-issue and just about made into an issue. For its as simple and uncomplicated as this. Islam stands for modesty in every sphere of life (be it dress or food or just about everyday living) and then every single being is directly responsible to the Creator for his or her actions. So to wear a veil or not is a personal choice. Some women find it important. Others argue that they can look modestly dressed even otherwise. So what is the need to go harping on this? What I find disturbing is that every non-issue pertaining to the Muslim community gets blown up and with that invariably the real issues get bypassed or not just about touched. With this veil controversy, the other major issues pertaining to the Muslims in the country seem veiled off.
India Social Forum meet With the start of the first India Social Forum meet here this Thursday, the coming five days will see focus on many current issues, related to the changing world order, as the slogan goes, ‘Building Another World: Visions for the future’. As expected, there would be focus on President Bush and his un-doings in Iraq and elsewhere too. Activists are all set to focus on grim issues related to grim realities in Gujarat and Kashmir and more.
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Uttam (superior) are they who understand the speaker’s intent and perform immediately to mutual satisfaction. — The Upanishads Whoever has good character is the greatest of all. He is the mine of all jewels; the wealth of the three worlds is merged in good character. — Kabir None to me is a friend like God who has blessed me with body and mind, and has also infused consciousness. — Guru Nanak Each moment is all we need, not more. Be happy now and if you show through your actions that you love others, including those who are poorer than you, you’ll give them happiness, too. — Mother Teresa To love, it is necessary to give. To give, it is necessary to be free from selfishness. — Mother Teresa
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ALL the rulers of the erstwhile princely states were not despots. Many were friends of the poor, some were connoisseurs of art, music and archaeology and used their talent for preservation of India’s rich cultural heritage including endangered architectural sites. Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur is one such prince who has dedicated his life for the restoration of decaying historical structures.