Ref: AFSPA doesn’t need change: Harsh law helps in the fight against insurgents by Lt-Gen Harwant Singh (Retd): click here
Rejoinder
1. I have, since long, held Gen Harwant's professional views in high esteem. Therefore is justified, historically proven and merit in his defence of AFSPA. He is also in good company on this issue, presently- on the highest table in fact- the new Chief is as a firm proponent of this 'good' law which has lately acquired an 'odium' in local perceptions?
2. I can also claim some 'hands on' experience of CI ops, incl as a BM in Nagaland and cdr of two Bdes in Manipur. Personally, I cannot recall taking cover behind or flaunting a copy of the AFPSA to conduct successful ops. In fact one did a lot 'worse' to get results, provided one did not "alienate" local perceptions, in the long run. Indeed, existence of the law had a prophylactic value but its use was as rare as the contested 'excesses' .
3. In the ultimate analysis, the key determinant of success(or otherwise) in CI/ CT ops is the support/ alienation of local population - all the force in the world cannot neutralise its loss. If in doubt, check with the US/NATO forces further West? For whatever reasons, AFPSA has become a huge red-flag 'alienator'- witness Irom Sharmila's 10 yr long fast and so on. Public support is a function of 'perceptions' and IA was(?) not very skilled at perception management. Our fixation with the 'tried and tested', in this case, can thus become counterproductive to our own cause. Perhaps, it is time to get flexible and innovative.
4. The conventional objection to a 'revision' or the law, as expanded in the Article, is that it will dilute the 'essentials' of legal protection. But why and who said so??? Let us get smart and don't let there be operationally unacceptable dilution of the enabling legal provisions. Surely we can manage that- it is our own Govt, ain't it. My vote is ,therefore, against a 'fossilized' approach - sorry Harwant and all the like-minded worthies (means the majority)!!!
But then I have always enjoyed sticking my neck out.
Cheers.
Yogi
(Lt Gen YN Sharma, Former Army Commander)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Disclaimer
The contents posted on these Blogs are personal reflections of the Bloggers and do not reflect the views of the "Report My Signal- Blog" Team.
Neither the "Report my Signal -Blogs" nor the individual authors of any material on these Blogs accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused (including through negligence), which anyone may directly or indirectly suffer arising out of use of or reliance on information contained in or accessed through these Blogs.
This is not an official Blog site. This forum is run by team of ex- Corps of Signals, Indian Army, Veterans for social networking of Indian Defence Veterans. It is not affiliated to or officially recognized by the MoD or the AHQ, Director General of Signals or Government/ State.
The Report My Signal Forum will endeavor to edit/ delete any material which is considered offensive, undesirable and or impinging on national security. The Blog Team is very conscious of potentially questionable content. However, where a content is posted and between posting and removal from the blog in such cases, the act does not reflect either the condoning or endorsing of said material by the Team.
Blog Moderator: Lt Col James Kanagaraj (Retd)
Neither the "Report my Signal -Blogs" nor the individual authors of any material on these Blogs accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused (including through negligence), which anyone may directly or indirectly suffer arising out of use of or reliance on information contained in or accessed through these Blogs.
This is not an official Blog site. This forum is run by team of ex- Corps of Signals, Indian Army, Veterans for social networking of Indian Defence Veterans. It is not affiliated to or officially recognized by the MoD or the AHQ, Director General of Signals or Government/ State.
The Report My Signal Forum will endeavor to edit/ delete any material which is considered offensive, undesirable and or impinging on national security. The Blog Team is very conscious of potentially questionable content. However, where a content is posted and between posting and removal from the blog in such cases, the act does not reflect either the condoning or endorsing of said material by the Team.
Blog Moderator: Lt Col James Kanagaraj (Retd)
No comments:
Post a Comment