AFSPA DEBATE : CAN THE ARMY FIGHT WITH ITS HANDS TIED

We have all been overloaded time and again by media zealots trumpeting the call for removal of the #AFSPA by the Kashmir fraternity, or the brutal media hype on the Manorama Devi fiasco by the Assam Rifles, which sent the entire north eastern state to unify for repeal of the so called ‘Draconian Act’. The image created by some sections of the media trumpeted sheer neglect of human rights by Army in these parts. But come to think of the way the media reacts to things that ‘SELL’, one starts to wonder as to what is the real story and as to why the Army needs the AFSPA act so much.

 To start, one needs to ask some very relevant questions in this crossroads of humanity and the arduous task of running a democracy.  Can the Soldiers continue maintaining a sway on the terrorists without the AFSPA? Is AFSPA a necessity as claimed by the Army for subduing the terrorists might or can some other milder measures be incorporated? And if yes then what measures? How will it affect the whole spectrum of Terrorism and Indian relations within the region of global politics, if the act is withdrawn?

The Chief of the Indian Army has rightly brought out that, ‘This decision (on AFSPA) has to be taken in the backdrop of violence profile, in the backdrop of what can happen in future, in the backdrop of futuristic contours. We have to be very confident that it does not relapse. We shall not be left in a position of disadvantage.’

            Let us remember as to when and why is the Army called out in the first place to combat insurgency or deteriorating law and order situations. It is only when the situation goes out of hand of the existing law and order machinery and the existing government agencies are not able to function independently, is the call made to requisition the help of Indian Army. Have the states crying hoarse for withdrawal of the act returned to a state of normalcy? I guess not, they sure have come a long way, but there is more work left to do.

This is rightly not the time for the act to go, what with beheadings and bomb blasts happening frequently in Kashmir and our neighbour Pakistan still “religiously” (pun intended) pushing infiltrators all across the Line of Control conveniently labeling them as freedom fighters. The day the CRPF, local police and state government is able to take over the reins of operations from the Army and effectively handle the internal security issues, should be the day to remove the AFSPA, and not before that.

Any Change in the act at this stage when the security forces have only started bringing normalcy in the valley and the east would be a blunder with disastrous effect. The terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (#LoC) is still intact. After the US and NATO exit from Afghanistan this threat will loom larger as Islamabad and the ISI puppets-aka Taliban/ Jihaadi groups will focus their efforts and attention completely on Kashmir.  The surplus Taliban is bound to flow into ‘HINDU’ Kashmir to ‘LIBERATE’ it- ofcourse with political diplomatic and material support of Pakistan who would be more than glad to rid themselves of this menace.

            Today the Indian Army has a mature demeanour in a media centric world where every action of theirs is analyzed and made available to the public en masse. The Indian Soldier fights the government’s battles, without a thought to own safety and in complete good faith that they are fighting the war for the nations eventual good. The Army well aware that  good public reach and relations also provide good and timely intelligence without which security force operations can seldom succeed. AFSPA therefore has not made the Army lose sight of its obligation towards upholding the essence of Human Rights and has in fact created more awareness in handling the situation better.

The Army has been losing numerous soldiers in its several decades old Counter Terrorism operations in the valley and North East and would be more than comfortable with no insurgency or proxy war to fight. Without AFSPA an Army Soldier would inevitably get shackled to cumbersome and frequent Court appearances just because when bullets were flying he did what was absolutely necessary as per his mandate to protect the Nations Interest.

This aspect needs to be analysed in the light of the fact that our Indian Military has always maintained a sublime stature above the grime of politics and has never been pushy with the Government like our neighbours Pakistan or even America. Nor has the Army done a counterinsurgency campaign with attack Helicopters, tanks and machine guns  like the Americans in Iraq, (which was opened like a can of worms by wiki leaks) or even encourage a military abetted genocide like many other nations fighting similar insurgencies in Asia. Thankfully the Indian Army still holds on to high ideals and has quite a fairly clean record for a nation ensconced in corruption and underhand dealings. The soldier won’t be fighting his case for arming him with the basic necessity of #AFSPA. It is us the public which needs to be proactive in working out a amicable solution to the issue without fore thought and in a politicized manner.