Restructuring the Central Police Forces and the State Armed Police

USE OF INCORRECT TERMINOLOGY
Dear Chander,
I had written an article titled "Restructuring the Central Police Forces and the State Armed Police to Combat Internal Insurgencies". It was published in the South Asia Defence and Strategic Year Book 2011, which was published early this year. I am enclosing a copy as an attachment. As you will see, it is a long article of 4781 words, which all may not be interested to read. However, I would recommend that the portion highlighted in yellow be read by all. Following the publishing of the article, I was informed that the then Home Secretary (retired recently) issued immediate instructions to the police forces not to call themselves para military forces. As suggested by me, the Home Ministry issued a policy letter dated 18/22 March 2011 wherein all the armed police forces were instructed to adopt a uniform nomenclature as suggested by me. I am enclosing a scanned copy of the same as the second attachment. I do not know whether the police forces and others will follow the instructions but it is important that they do. The media continues to use the term para military forces incorrectly and so do even defence officers. Army Headquarters needs to contact all editors of newspapers and magazines, as well as others, including their subordinate formations and request them to instruct their scribes/ others to use the correct nomenclature. I thought the readers of your blog would be interested to know; they could then correct people who continue to use the wrong nomenclature.
Warm regards.
Vijay Oberoi
Former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS)
Former Director Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)
Click here to read the full article

CWG: High-tech security

From plainclothes detectives mingling with the crowds to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Delhi is under an unmatched security cover to ensure a trouble-free Commonwealth Games starting in the national capital from Sunday.

Besides some 100,000 police and paramilitary personnel on Delhi's roads, the UAVs will be looking for possible air intrusions. Ground personnel are equipped to battle chemical, biological or radiological attacks.

According to officials, the most high-tech security systems are in place for the Games that has drawn 7,000 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories.

Army helicopters have begun hovering over the sprawling Games Village housing the visitors. Armed personnel have taken positions at city centres and vital installations.

Hundreds of plainclothesmen are mingling with the city populace in markets and Metro trains, residential colonies and bus stations.

"Home Minister (P.) Chidambaram has been personally supervising the arrangements," Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran said.

"There may be extra checking and traffic restrictions during the Games but these are natural in a big event," said an official from the ministry.

The home ministry, which controls Delhi Police, is in overall charge of the Games security.
High-tech security for CWG

Immune Indian Police Service

Dear friends,
A couple of days ago, I was approached by Mr Aridaman Singh, who runs an NGO called "Nishan" from his house in Kurukshetra. The mission of his organization is to fight against corruption in out socio-political system.
Aridaman joined government service and served as an officer with the NSG and the BSF He chose to seek pre-mature retirement after 20 years service, in 2003 to embark upon what he considers is the mission of his life.
Since then he has travelled to more than a dozen countries to study their police structures. Amongst the many things he told me, I find the following three points worthy of mentioning in this mail:

Police officers in none of the European countries or the US wear badges of rank similar to those of army officers.

Police officers are not entitled to display 'star plates' on their cars in these countries.

The responsiveness of the police in our country at the time of a crisis is amongst the worst in the world. The only area in which we are leading is in the number of DGsP and ADGsP

Aridaman's organization has several members from other countries including the US, Britain, Australia and Europe. Their website is www.nishanjustice.com
Aridaman has sought my support to further his cause. The least little I can do is to beseech you to visit his website and give him your suggestions on how he should go about his 'labor of love' Personally, I found him passionately attached to his 'cause' Corruption in the Police service is high on his agenda. He thinks the IPS is "immune" to everything just or reasonable.

Sometimes, I feel that we veterans should not limit our objective to fighting for better pension, medical facilities and canteen services. Can we not do some thing to improve the polity of our beloved nation? The words of Kennedy ring in my ears.
"Ask not what your country can do for you..."
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh (Retd)

Nishan is a non-profit public policy advocacy and development organization. We are dedicated to eradicating corruption and the abuse of power from Indian society. We are primarily focused on cases arising from police apathy and rampant corruption in the Indian bureaucracy and government authorities.

MPs, young and elderly alike, keen to join territorial army

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

The Minister of State of Defence, Shri M.M. Pallam Raju addressing the Members of Parliament during a presentation on the Territorial Army, in New Delhi on August 04, 2009.
Members of Parliament, young and elderly alike, have evinced keen interest in joining the Territorial Army (TA), the voluntary force of the Indian army for civilians, part-time. Participating in a presentation here today on the aim, role, organization and functioning of the Citizen’s Army, as it is often called, about three dozen MPs enthusiastically inquired how they could contribute to popularize the movement and be a part of the volunteer force.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Defence Dr MM Pallam Raju said the overwhelming response of the MPs to the programme demonstrates the faith of the nation in the armed forces and their keenness to imbibe the sense of discipline and patriotism cultivated by the armed forces across their rank and file. Lok Sabha MPs including Shri Navin Jindal, Shri Deepender Singh Hooda and Shri Hemanand Biswal keenly participated in an interactive session following the presentation. Former cricketer Shri Kapil Dev, who has been inducted into the TA recently as Honorary Lt. Colonel, was also present during the deliberations.

Army chief General Deepak Kapoor said the Territorial Army has proved its merit both during war and peacetime. Men of the TA help maintain essential services during strikes and the force has contributed immensely in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East. TA personnel are fully capable to undertake responsibilities in running essential services and the TA departmental units has six Regiments trained in Railways, seven Regiments to run General Hospital services, one for Oil & Natural Gas, one for Refineries and Pipelines, one for Marketing Battalion of Army Supply Corps and an infantry battalion for Ecological Task Force which has undertaken several aforestation drives across the country.

Major General KVS Lalotra, Additional Director-General of the Territorial Army, who heads the force, said a proposal to relax enrolment rules and training for civilian officers was under consideration. Government officers could be exempted from appearing before the Services Selection Board (SSBs) if the proposals are approved, he added.

Raised by Sir C. Rajagopalachari, the first Governor General of free India, on Oct.09, 1949, the Territorial Army would soon be entering its diamond jubilee year. Having won five Vir Chakras and three Shaurya Chakras, the TA has seen many eminent personalities including Malayalam film actor Mohan Lal (Honorary Lt. Col.), former ONGC CMD Shri Subir Raha (Major-Retired), Shri Doshehe Y Sema (Major), a member of the Nagaland state assembly and several others, donning uniform.
PK/RAJ
MPs, young and elderly alike, keen to join territorial army

Mumbai Mayhem: Taliban Terror marching in

Taliban Justice?
Pakistan on verge of falling into hands of Taliban as insurgents arrive on Islamabad's doorstep ....Mon, Apr 20 12:55 PM
Islamabad, Apr 20 (ANI): With the Taliban establishing total control over the Swat Valley following inking a deal with the government to implement Islamic law in the whole region, fears have heightened that Islamabad could be the next target of the insurgents.

A report in the Washington Post suggests that the Taliban has arrived on the doors of the country's capital, and is on the lookout for a right opportunity to strike.

The Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad's call of not allowing any appeals to state courts under the system of sharia, certainly proves that the Islamist group along with the extremists are aiming to implement religious regulations across Pakistan, the report stated.

Muhammad, defying the constitution and federal judiciary of the country, had said that "un-Islamic laws and customs will be abolished" in the country, suggesting that the government's approval to implement sharia in the Valley would pave the way to it being installed in other regions too.

Academicians in Pakistan also believe that it was a blunder on part of the government to allow the radicals have their own way in the Valley.

"The government made a big mistake to give these guys legal cover for their agenda. Now they are going to be battle-ready to struggle for the soul of Pakistan," a professor of Security Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Rifaat Hussain said.

Hussain feared that there will be a sudden surge in suicide bombings in the country, which has already become a daily phenomenon.

However, political leaders of the Valley believe that the government had no other choice rather to give in to the demands of the radicals, as the military offensive carried out against the Taliban in the tribal region did not see much success.

"We really had no other choice. We had no power to crush the militants, and people were desperate for peace," a Awami National Party (ANP) legislator from Swat, Jafar Shah said.

"Now people are calling us Taliban without beards, but it was the only option available," he added.

"In Swat they got their system imposed at gunpoint, and now they are ready to Taliban-ize the whole country," the exiled head of the Muttahida Qaumi Majlis party, Altaf Hussain said.

The Taliban has also made it intentions quite clear.

"When we achieve our goals in one place, we need to struggle for it in other areas. Sharia does not permit us to lay down our arms if the government continues anti-Muslim policies," Taliban spokesperson Muslim Khan had warned last week.

With the Taliban announcing that the outfit would certainly start its struggle to establish Islamic law in other parts of the country, it seems that it is only a matter of time before Pakistan is transformed from a 'troubled state' to a 'failed state'. (ANI)
Pakistan on verge of falling into hands of Taliban as insurgents arrive on Islamabad's doorstep

Counter Terrorism for the common man

Dear Friends,

I have been writing for the Garhwal Post, a local daily. This is my third on the subject of Counter Terrorism for the Common Man. This was published last Sunday, 08 Feb 2009. You may like to glance through it. Kindly click here

Thought I will share it with you.

With regards.
Lt Gen KK Khanna
Former Commandant IMA and Former MGGS and COS Northern Command

Mumbai Mayhem: The Insecurity of Security

I have been seeing with amusement, the after effects of the 26/11 tragedy. Heads of politicians have rolled. I am still to see accountability of the bureaucrats who are responsible for their lapses. The intelligence gathering of information was correct, but the collation and inference failed. So the elected representatives have been made accountable, who in any case have to go back to the masses every five years for re election. Is the bureaucrat to be suffered for 30 years once he passes the central services exam? No situation is permanent and no man indispensable. But because he is supposedly an expert in that field, he definitely is more accountable then most.

I have heard that in a particular condominium on the outskirts of Delhi, a DIG was stopped at the gate as a routine security check. His accompanying security guards beat up the Guards of the complex. So the custodians of our security felt insulted when an employee was only carrying out his job . We also see a look of disdain when we are made to stand in a queue for our turn, be it be at the airport or at a security check. The aam aadmi is equally to blame for our arrogance and self importance. Our style icons, be they politicians/actors/ sports personalities can so easily make discipline a habit, for others to emulate. We read recently about a cricketer who felt insulted just because one of his friends was frisked as part of security, at the hotel access. He in fact should be the style icon for encouraging the security man in doing his job, rather then be selling a popular aerated water or face cream. How many times we ourselves are guilty of jumping lines for something as trivial as buying cinema tickets. We all need to introspect for our own indiscipline, within.

I also saw with much disdain on a popular TV show, an actor who made a statement that we see Pakistani flags fluttering on houses/ shanties in Mumbai, and not much is being done about that. She was pounced upon by somebody in the audience. Why don’t we have the courage of convictions to accept the truth. They flutter, with impunity, because these are vote banks and unfortunately not brought to justice. Truth hurts. I am also amused that the people of Mumbai want to buy Bullet-proof jackets for their police men. Well, that is not their job nor expertise. You have a trained Police force, who must be given adequate funds to meet their requirements, and a system in place to ensure accountability. If you think the Police is incompetent to do that, then in any case he does not even deserve the salary that he gets. Let the Public not get over zealous and take on everyone’s job in society. The visible bane is that we have a diarrhoea of ideas abut constipation in action.

Today we heard that all beach parties in Goa have been cancelled for the next fortnight due to security fears. So I presume, that next time there is a security alert that an aircraft may be hijacked, all travel will be stopped and aircraft grounded. That would be the escapist route. We must have adequate security measures and regular security audits to ensure that all loopholes are plugged. The “show must go on.” ........security is about fire prevention and not about fire fighting.
Anne Wilson Schaef said,”Security is an attempt to try to make the universe static so that we feel safe”......that however is not the answer. We must have measures in place to correspondingly increase security and search levels once there is an an intelligence warning. We cannot just cancel events and let the terrorists overtake our lives just because we cannot take on the increased work load. That actually is their aim, to throw our lives in turmoil. We as a nation must understand, that they do not control our lives. We have the will and means to prevent, strike and negate all these forces. We must set up standard operating procedures and have periodic security audit checks.

We have been seeing that the Government has been making a lot of effort to make our neighbouring country accountable for what took place in Mumbai. As usual, we take the high horse and they the slippery road of denial. Well, we all know that they already have huge problems on their Western front, in an area which is called “Gair Ilaqa”, which is controlled by feudal war lords/ Taliban. It would be in the interest of the Taliban for the forces to be diverted to the Eastern borders to take on India. With the American forces pushing from the West/Afghanistan,perhaps the time has come to squeeze the middle, and look for a permanent solution. Pin point/ strategic strikes may not work. The US forces have had enough experience without adequate results in that kind of warfare in that terrain.

In the meanwhile, while our Government looks for options to root out the fundamentals flaws, be they within or across our Borders, it is the duty of every proud Indian to invoke a sense of discipline in thought and action. We must encourage the security man to do his job with diligence. The VVIP syndrome that most of us have, must give way to an essence for a secure surrounding. Each one of us must be an icon towards that goal. The problems of the insecurity of security will automatically fall in the scheme of things, for a safe tomorrow. We owe that to our children.

Jai Hind
Maj Moshe Kohli (Retd)
James F Bymes: "Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem to be more afraid of life than death."

Making Pakistan Pay the Price

Dear Friends,

I am seriously bothered that India and Pakistan may be at war with each other unless those who are against war speak out. In this connection, I have written an article (titled "MAKING PAKISTAN PAY THE PRICE") in response to an article "TAKE THE WAR TO THE ENEMY" that appeared in Indian Defence Review (IDR) that recommends war. It is about handling terrorism, which is the proximate cause for recommending war according to the IDR. The article has gone to the press media but I am in doubt if it will see the light of day or how many will read it. Hence, if you agree with my point of view and wish to speak out against war as a means to combat terrorism, please circulate the article to your friends. I feel that the issue is urgent and request you to treat it with urgency (of course, providing you agree with the article). The article link "MAKING PAKISTAN PAY THE PRICE" is given below.
DO YOUR BIT TO PREVENT WAR!
Best wishes,
Major General S.G.Vombatkere (Retd)
Former Additional DG in charge of Discipline & Vigilance.
Making Pakistan Pay the Price

Live Video Coverage: War on Terror

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War on Terror
To win a war against an efficient invisible enemy, we do not need rhetoric on television, but a balanced evaluation and response. The media also reaches the terrorist bases, we therefore, must have control to only show what we need to, and deny them information and subsequent reaction.

I am certain that their control rooms, would have been delighted to see the carnage, and fore warning of our military operations. The imbalance in reporting, can culminate into a situation of exact information, and confusion. The enemy thrives on such coverage. We should actually use it to our advantage and misinformation, to confuse the enemy.

What is being publicised is Mr Karkare's heroism! God bless his soul, but I think for a senior officer to be running around inappropriately equipped and protected may well be excessive zeal and not really supreme bravery. I sincerely hope our Government would actually equip our Police and Army better. Not a single Australian soldier/ policeman has been killed wearing Hellweg body armour. Aramid helmets replaced steel ones ten years ago. So an emerging super power, equipped worse than the worst. Mr Karkare died simply because he was not wearing an appropriate Bullet proof Vest. Very sad indeed!!

Mr Karkare went to the hospital on an impulse not knowing any thing of the threat. He did not fire a single shot & he and his colleagues were absolutely vulnerable targets for the terrorists. No doubt , a very honest & efficient officer he became an easy prey. Unfortunately his vehicle was then used by the terrorists for further mayhem. He would have been of immense value sitting in the control room and directing the operation with his wide knowledge and experience. India needed him ,and all others who died in that ordeal, to live.

We have this tendency to give such deaths a halo of Martyrdom. The same thing happened in Kabul, when our Embassy was attacked. The IFS officer & Brig Mehta got highest awards for bravery. Was it really bravery or simply , unfortunate deaths, as their car was blown up. I think it was again an intelligence failure, capitalised by the media, and awarded by our Government.

Innocent people sitting in trains also die when there is a bomb blast. Hundreds died inside the Taj and Trident Hotels. They never get gallantry awards. The Staff at the Taj and Trident-Oberoi hotels we are told did an exemplary job, protecting and guiding their guests, and many even laid down their lives. Their sagas of courage remain largely unsung.

While these officers gave the supreme sacrifice, on duty, it is not really raw gallantry, but yes, they died in harness ,and must be duly recognised, and their kith and kin looked after.

The government and especially the media, needs to draw a line some where & recognise the difference of raw courage beyond the call of duty in the face of the enemy, and death on duty.

It is on this account ,that the real valour & grit of Maj Unnikrishnan, and Hav Rajbir etc will be eclipsed. They actually gave their lives in the face of active fire and a visible enemy.

The time has come for India to awaken. Let us savour our 61 years of Independence. The time has come, to remind ourselves that we have been invaded and ruled for 800 years earlier. Is that the ugly reason why we are resilient. I think this has been misconstrued to our average reaction which is knee jerk. This does not mean that if we get a jerk we go on our knees. We are a fiercely proud nation and people. Let us all rise from our self created islands/silos of being Mumbaikars or Chennaikars or whatever. Let us be Indians.

Lets us all salute the Brave Unknown Indian, and rise, to deliver, an exemplary and befitting reply to the perpetrators and supporters of these heinous crimes against civilised society. May they never be able to attack my motherland again.
JAGO MERA INDIA ! JAI HIND.

"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.
He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." - Attributed to General George Patton Jr, from "A Genius for War" by Carlo d'Este.
My random thoughts in anguish...

Major Moshe Kohli (Retd)

Rescue Mother India: Press Note

1. National Security should be the Central Theme. The Development should be woven around it.
2. Politicians and bureaucrats have failed the country.
3. No Nation can become great unless its Armed Forces, Para Military Forces and Police are strong, well motivated and well equipped.
4. It is a matter of pride for any one to belong to the Armed Forces. The country must uphold this pride.
5. Chief Minister of Kerala has no moral right to remain in the chair after having uttered such outrageous and shocking remarks against the Martyr's Family.
6. Chief Minister of Kerala must himself resign or the people should ensure his exit.
7. No one can deny that it is primarily due to the role played by the Armed Forces that integrity of the Nation is intact.
8. Whereas all other institutions have failed the country quite often, the Armed Forces have been the saving grace.
9. Armed Forces for their contributions for the sustenance of the Nation MUST get due respect just and fair deal.
10. Population influence of Defence Forces both serving and retired of approx 15 Crores must be taken note of.
11. Constitute unified command headed by Army for Internal Security.
12. Unified command headed by Army only answer to terrorism.
13. Respect soldiers both serving and retired they are the saviours of the Nation.
14. Defence Forces are the last bastion, keep up their morale and motivation.
15. Any country which cannot look after its security is doomed to fail.
16. Remove Injustice to Defence Personnel of 6th CPC.
17. Attract the best and most suitable youth to Defence Forces; offer the best package.
18. NSG must be commanded by Army and not by Police.
19. Carry out Police Reforms on War footing. Remove Political interference from Police System.
20. Home and Defence Minister must have Defence background.
21. All Central Services personnel must do three years service in Defence Forces before joining their respective services.

Jai Hind
With Kind Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement (IESM)

Where is our strategy for tackling terrorism?

By Vijay Oberoi

The counter-terrorism operations in Mumbai have now been successfully completed. But this success came at a heavy cost, both in terms of loss of precious lives and destruction of infrastructure. The real loss though is the image of our country. The brave men of the NSG, which in reality is the Army, albeit incongruously with a police head, the para-commandos of the Army, the Marcos of the Navy, the helicopter pilots of the Air Force and the police have made the country proud with their gallant action and sacrifices. However, people across the nation want answers to important questions, including whether we have a strategy for tackling terrorism. This terrorist attack, in a long series of such attacks at different places, is the worst the country has faced in terms of any parameter.

However, this piece is not about the nature or severity of the attack but about the way the country is tackling such terrorist acts. It needs no emphasis that terrorism is the biggest threat to the unity and the sovereignty of the nation. Yet, we have learnt little after being targets of terrorist actions relentlessly over decades. The leadership appears to have such a myopic outlook that its continues to view terrorism as a law and order problem, when it is actually a form of warfare.

Why are we so helpless and devoid of imagination? The reason is that we have been unable to get our act together and we are dealing with this major menace in a fractured and uncoordinated manner. I am afraid this will not do. The overwhelming need is to formulate a comprehensive plan to deal effectively with terrorism.

It is only the military, and more specifically the Army, which has practical experience of dealing with terrorists in different parts of the country. Yet, the Army continues to be kept out of the policy formulation loop. It is, therefore, no surprise that we have failed to evolve a strategy for tackling different types of terrorist strikes. Theories are of little use in the face of practical experience. But is anyone listening? If the policy makers do not co-opt the Army in the new strategy, which hopefully would be formulated post the happenings in Mumbai, we would not have learnt any lesson from this immense tragedy.

The Army will still pull the nations’ chestnuts out of the fire, as it has been doing for the last 61 years, but possibly at an even bigger cost. Is that good enough for a country that is touted as a superpower of the future?

What have we done so far in formulating a strategy to counter terrorism? Nothing really, except a lot of talk. We do not have a strategy to deal with terrorism. All we do is crisis management, which is an anti-thesis of strategy and hence meaningless. Our intelligence agencies continue to be as clueless as ever, despite a policeman/intelligence official heading the security apparatus of the country for many years now. How ironic? The Centre and states lay blame on each other, as security is a state subject.

The political leadership continues to have its unwavering focus on the next elections, while the officials, both civilian administrators and police, are only concerned with gaining more and more power and pelf. A military person like me, watching the TV channels throughout these events, is struck by the chaos which was visible outside all the venues where the terrorists had struck, till the Army took over the situation. No one was apparently in command for coordinating the various operations. No formalised communication arrangements were visible, as everyone seemed to be communicating only by their mobiles. The media briefings were impromptu and only when mediapersons managed to corner a passing official. This underlines the lackadaisical manner in which we have been trying to tackle such a major threat.

So far, neither the political leadership, nor the Opposition parties, nor even the emergency core group or concerned bureaucrats have even hinted at a discernable plan for fighting terrorism. All the government is talking about is further strengthening laws, which is just one small aspect of the totality of actions that need to be taken.

So, what do we do? I propose a four-pronged approach. Firstly and most importantly, it is imperative to set up a unified command, which is fully autonomous and headed by only one person or entity. It must have full powers to act and must be given the complete wherewithal to develop and then execute a comprehensive strategy. Such an entity must have its independent chain of command to all states and further down to identified districts, regions and sub-regions. The excuse of security being a state subject must not come in the way; if necessary, the Constitution should be amended.

Secondly, the key to unravelling terrorists and their nefarious activities is a very high level of relevant and actionable intelligence, which would enable the police and other security forces to nab the terrorists before they commit dastardly acts. This needs a high degree of expertise; technical back-up; dedicated and fearless individuals, who can penetrate terrorist cells; funding; sharing of information as it is available; complete independence of action; no interference by political leaders and bureaucrats with their own agendas; and many other related actions.

Thirdly, immediate strengthening of the police forces in all states, as well as the Central police forces, if necessary with leadership from the Army and the revival of the concept of the “beat constable”, who was always the key functionary to feed the intelligence community. Many excuses are given as to why he is not available or why he is ineffective, but if accountability is built in and enforced and there is sufficient motivation, there is no reason for the beat constable not to regain his key position in identifying and reporting all illegal activity and presence of suspected individuals.

Fourthly, there is a need for our political leadership neither to appease any community or group, nor to spread the ideology of hate, particularly through inflaming religious sentiments and class and caste distinctions. This squarely falls in the realm of the government and the political parties.

None of these are unachievable, provided there is a will, centralised authority, accountability and an understanding of the magnitude of the task. We must not accept such acts passively, as we have been doing till now. In case there is an international angle to it, as seems to be the case, and if political and diplomatic actions do not produce results, then it is the duty of the government to take recourse to military action.

Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Former vice-chief of the Indian Army
Where is our strategy for tackling terrorism?