India must work with Myanmar, Bangladesh to minimise effect of violence on Rohingya refugees so that they are not susceptible to exploitation.

Until the latest round of violence erupted in the Rakhine area of Myanmar, most in India were unaware that close to 40,000 displaced Rohingyas were already living in India — the largest section being in the Jammu region. The Rohingya crisis is an issue which must draw public interest in the context of its security impact.

Like any other poverty-stricken region in the world, which has ethnic diversity, Rakhine’s demography has a majority Buddhist population with a Muslim minority. Traditional antipathy based on competition for socio-economic space has produced repeated bouts of violence. Nations without democratic credentials have a propensity for not protecting and empowering ethnic or religious minorities. That’s the case with Myanmar too. The moment such displacement becomes transnational, the impact of violence in a remote part of the globe can have a cascading effect elsewhere in the world.

Given the crisis within Islam and the emergence of extremist groups, there is always the potential of displaced youth becoming their cannon fodder. Thus a group such as ISIS whose charm may be wearing thin, would have no difficulty to penetrate camps of displaced persons wherever they be. The Taliban was in fact born in the seminaries set up in refugee camps as they poured out of Afghanistan in the early Eighties, after the Soviet invasion.

The impact of violence in Rakhine has been the outpouring of refugees into Bangladesh. There is little that a nation can do to stop such an influx unless it wishes to use counter violence and face international ire. The paradox is also that no one will rush to assist it either in the management of refugees. The UN agencies are active but they have also been asked to leave Myanmar.

Boundaries have become increasingly fragile despite better technology for border management. This was so clearly demonstrated through the recent outpouring of hordes of displaced people from North Africa and from Syria into Europe. The migration crisis in Europe has also led to a change in the nature of threats. No one knows this better than India where demographic change in the areas adjoining Bangladesh has been underway for several years.

The 250,000 Rohingyas who are reported to have entered Bangladesh this time may aspire for a future in India. The concern is not just human migration but susceptibility to violent extremist ideology, aided by the tools of the information revolution. The Rohingya crisis is affecting Bangladesh and India due to proximity but it is having an impact in South-East Asia too.

The current concern is also about potential recruits for the ISIS in the Mindanao province of Phillipines. That is where the ISIS has had attained marked success outside the Syrian theatre, in the city of Marawi where a regular army is reluctant to engage it in street battles.

Southeast Asia is brimming with shades of violent extremism — from the attempted radicalisation in Bangladesh to the Rohingya issue in Myanmar, the Islamic insurgency in southern Thailand, the Moro militancy in the Philippines and the ever present threat of Jemmah Islamiyah in Indonesia — all of which could get netted to create pan regional radical Islamism, the dream of ISIS.

Expanding regional surrogates working with loose ISIS linkages, like in Africa and portions of West Asia, have serious connotations for South-East Asia.

Where does that leave India? With uncontrolled Rohingya presence and the threat of arrival of more, the potential of their exploitation remains high. India must work with both Myanmar and Bangladesh to minimise the effects of violence. State violence emanating from within Myanmar needs to be controlled although the trigger was the attack by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). There is also much concern that India’s North-Eastern militant groups may find expanded sanctuaries in either Myanmar or Bangladesh if the current Rohingya crisis is allowed to fester and India is perceived to be taking sides.

The big bad boys from across the western international border would be looking upon the crisis as yet another opportunity to exploit the rising communal divide in India.

In his first remarks to the UN general assembly, Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had attacked India, accusing New Delhi of carrying out war crimes in Kashmir. Reuters

New York, September 22

Pakistan has now become ‘terroristan’, India told the United Nations in response to its Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s emphasis that Islamabad was not prepared to be anyone’s scapegoat.“In its short history, Pakistan has become a geography synonymous with terror. The quest for a land of pure has actually produced the land of pure terror. Pakistan is now Terroristan,” India said, in a statement addressed to the United Nations general assembly president.

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In his first remarks to the UN general assembly, Abbasi had attacked India, accusing New Delhi of carrying out war crimes in Kashmir.”Pakistan demands an international investigation into India’s crimes in Kashmir,” he said and demanded an inquiry Commission be sent to Kashmir “to verify the nature and extent of India’s human rights violations, secure the punishment of those responsible and provide justice and relief to the victims.” “It is extraordinary that the state which protected Osama Bin Laden and sheltered Mullah Omar should have the gumption to play victim. Even as terrorists thrive in Pakistan and roam around its streets with impunity, we have heard it lecture about protection of human rights in India. The world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state,” India led a retaliatory attack on Pakistan.”Pakistan must understand that the state of Jammu and Kashmir is and will always remain an integral part of India. However, much it scales up the cross border terrorism, it will never succeed in undermining India’s territorial integrity,” India’s statement added.The Pakistan prime minister had also added that India was not willing to resume dialogue to resolve the dispute.”To this end, the UN Secretary-General should appoint a Special Envoy on Kashmir,” he said.During his address, Abbasi further said Pakistan has been consistently active in the war against terrorism and that it has lost more to the cause than any other nation.Speaking about the issue of terrorism and the Afghan conflict, the premier said that Pakistan had sacrificed a lot of lives in the war on terror, and nobody desired peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan.”Our counter-terrorism credentials cannot be questioned. We have lost 2,700 lives and sustained 50,000 injuries in this war,” he said.”From sixteen years of the ongoing war in Afghanistan, it is clear that peace could not be restored by the continuing resort to military force. Neither Kabul and the coalition nor the Afghan Taliban can impose military solution on each other.” “Apart from Afghanistan, Pakistan and its people have suffered the most from four decades of foreign intervention and civil wars in Afghanistan,” he added.During his 20-minute speech, Abbasi stated that Taliban safe havens are located not in Pakistan but in large tracts of territory controlled by the Taliban in Afghanistan.The Pakistan Prime Minister also maintained that Islamabad was not prepared to fight the Afghan war on Pakistan’s soil. “Neither can we endorse any fair strategy that prolongs and intensify the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he said.He also identified two flaws in the global counter-terror strategy. One of this, Abbasi remarked, was state-sponsored terrorism, and the failure of the UN to reign in states that use this as an instrument of their foreign policy. —ANI

The political state of Haryana is the catchment area for some of the most gallant and decorated regiments of the Indian Army, namely, Grenadiers, Jats, Rajputana Rifles, Rajputs, besides the region also feeding a host of other regiments, corps, and the service arms. The average Haryanvi soldier is the epitome of martial instincts – from sheer unmatched physical bearing to the age-old reverence to morality, ethics, simplicity, and large-heartedness (with a unique sense of sarcastic humour and risqué language); these hardy soldiers are much feted and doted on, in the battle-fields or moments of functional tribulation. From Risaldar Badlu Singh (Victoria Cross from Jajjar), Havaldar Chelu Ram (Victoria Cross from Bhiwani), Col Hoshiar Singh Dhaiya (Param Veer Chakra from Sonipat), the dust-bowl districts of Haryana have given an endless list of some of the finest displays of soldiering valour and professionalism, that makes them second-to-none.
Yet, the parallel optics of the meltdown, capitulation, and disarray of the Haryana Police, for the third successive time in the last couple of years is symptomatic of the contrasting institutional health of the two broad security services, i.e. the Indian Armed Forces vis-à-vis the Police forces (including both the State force and the Central Armed Police Forces). The 57,000 strong Haryana Police, with a logically sounding mission statement and commitment to the common man to, “provide him security and to create a peaceful and law abiding community,” has been found severely wanting in the recent Panchkula rampage, the handling of the earlier sectarian strife, as indeed, in the ham-handed botch-up in raiding yet another self-styled godman in Hisar, preceding these two incidents. The seemingly magical impact of just six army columns, when the large posse of hapless policemen was scurrying aimlessly and hurriedly, reiterated the difference that institutional ethos, training and leadership can make. In Haryana, where the same household gives a military soldier and a policeman simultaneously, the opposite efficacy levels of the two uniforms is not a reflection on the genealogical bearing of the two individuals.

The cry for police reforms is a very old hat, that has persisted and resisted efforts to change, despite efforts to address the institutional malaise. Even the judiciary that has earned unequivocal plaudits for standing up to the crumbling national narrative in recent times, was at its wits end when the Supreme Court bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India, JS Kehar lamented, “Police reforms are going on and on. Nobody listens to our orders.” The well-meant tone of anguish belies the multiplicity of vested interests that seek to maintain the status quo.

Unfortunately, the colonial-minded Police Act of 1861, that was understandably loathed and distrusted by the mainstream populace, still stands as the fundamental governing guide. The later day constitutional framework of affording the State police to a ‘state subject’ (List II, Schedule 7 of the Indian Constitution), with open channels of outside (read, political) influence and interference have ensured negative perceptions of lackadaisical commitment, oppressive conduct and worse, corruption. Piles of paperwork have been generated to suggest and usher in the much-needed Police reforms from the Gore Committee, the Ribeiro Committee, the Padmanabhaiah Committee, the Prakash Singh Committee (ironically, following the sectarian violence in Haryana itself) to the SC directives for Police Reforms and Soli Sorabjee Committee – all ignored in varied degrees of disinterest (in 2006, the Supreme Court had issued 7 binding directions to the State/UT’s). The comparative proximity of the political classes with the State police forces versus the autonomy and non-interference in the conduct of the Armed Forces has steered the culture of professionalism, vested interests and leadership conduct, diametrically. The police-political equation can be dangerously mutually-gratifying, thus, efforts to correct the unholy nexus runs the risk of a very systemic and effective counter-block. Neither barrackised nor conflict-deployed Military, is insulated from the systemic-rot that afflicts the ‘system’. Perversely, the politician-agnostic Armed Forces pay a personal price for maintaining the distance from the civilian-masters and the top-heavy bureaucracy of the Police forces, gets further top-loaded and ‘looked-after’ by the ‘system’, whereas the ‘politically insignificant’ soldier of the Armed Forces is served the occasional dosage of condescending platitudes and patriotic appropriation, every time a Pampore, Pathankot or now, even when a ‘Panchkula’ happens. While there is an undeniable issue of shortfalls (global average ratio of police-population is 270 to one lakh, in India, it is approx. 120) – this ratio was not applicable in Panchkula. Actually, the issue of ‘outstretch’ is far more acute for the Armed Forces, as besides their conventional duties they are today increasingly deployed in regular ‘policing’ tasks and operations in J&K and the insurgency-infected areas of the North Eastern States. It really boils down to leadership – the contrast of the tenor, balance, and maturity in the phraseology of the press conferences held post the Panchkula incident vis-à-vis that of the then DGMI (Lt Gen Ranbir Singh) following the ‘surgical strikes’, is a case study in political slant versus the apolitical functionality and correctness. Again, it is the wiring, construct, and defined conduct of the two different institutions that chisels out the exact opposite output and impact, in a ‘Panchkula’. There have been outstanding Police officers and men who have defied the systemic morass and delivered supreme results (often paying the ultimate price), however, these instances of individual brilliance are not because of the operative ‘system’ and environment that they are subjected to, but despite them; therefore even more laudable! Whereas the Armed Forces is a well-oiled engine that routinely churns out a certain behaviour pattern (ignoring instances of individual culpability), as the system invests and ordains ‘izzat’ above all; the emotional import of cowardice or dereliction in a combat-situation is an unimaginable, unaccountable, and unlivable insult to the individual concerned, and by that extension, his paltan – hence, the shame of not ‘living up’ to the soldering ethos is unexplainably, heavy. The taint of ‘combat refusal’ goes beyond the penal laws, and unlike the order of ‘suspension’ in the police forces, a sense of collective humiliation owing to the conduct of any individual can drive a unit towards almost inhuman bravery in the face of hopeless odds, to redeem honour. Behind the different flags of the overall Indian security apparatus that bestow the legal, moral and social legitimacy, lays the singular flag of ‘India’ that does not differentiate a soldier wearing a Khakhi uniform, from one wearing an Olive Green uniform. It is not the uniform or the soldier, but the ‘system’ that has failed us and needs immediate addressing. Haryana was, is, and will always remain the land of pride for soldiers. Lt General Bhopinder Singh (Retd) is Former Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands & Puducherry. The views expressed are strictly personal.

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The Battle of Saragarhi has gone down in history as one of the fiercest last-stands executed in battle. It refers to the clash of 21 Sikhs of the 36th regiment of the British army (now the 4th battalion of the Sikh regiment of the Indian Army) with an attack by over 10,000 Afghan tribesmen – the Sikhs held their ground.

In the September 1897, when over 10,000 Afghan tribesmen of the Orakzai and Afridi tribe attacked Saragarhi, North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) (modern day Pakistan), the defending Sikh regiment, under the leadership of Havildar Ishar Singh, knew their fate had already been decided. Yet they held their ground and fought the thousands of enemy troops for several hours.

The fierce bravery of the 21 Sikhs sent ripples across the world. The British Parliament halted their session mid-way to give a standing ovation to the 21 martyred in September 1897.

The entire regiment was posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest bravery award given to Indians at the time. It was also the only time when an entire unit received the highest gallantry award for the same battle.

Every year, 12 September is celebrated as the Saragarhi Day by the Sikh regiment, which is also the most decorated regiment of the Indian army.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman receives prasad from a priest as she arrives to take charge in New Delhi on Thursday. PTI

Tribune News service

New Delhi, September 7

Newly appointed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today listed out an ambitious agenda for her tenure.Military preparedness, sorting out long-pending issues, thrust towards ‘Make in India’ and welfare of families of soldiers will be areas of focus, said Sitharaman as she commenced her innings at South Block in the national capital this morning. Outgoing Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and the Minister of State for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre were present at the ceremony.In a brief statement after assuming charge, Sitharaman said: “My priority will definitely be the Armed Forces’ preparedness. It is important that the Indian Armed Forces receive all the attention in terms of giving them every necessary endowment and equipment to perform their duty.”Promising to address long-pending issues, she said: “I shall address all long-pending issues in consultation with the PM and the Cabinet to ensure that all of them are resolved.”Sitharaman stressed upon ‘Make in India’. India is the world’s biggest importer of weapons and military equipment. “To strengthen our defence capability, it’s very important to focus on Make in India. We shall ensure that it’s given full play for defence production.”She said with the technology improving, indigenous production should be ensured so that the nation benefits and also exports weapons to the international market.Sitharaman said one of her priorities would be the families of the Armed Forces personnel. “Soldiers and their families should remain absolutely assured that their interests are watched,” she said.The taking over of Sitharaman had been scheduled for Thursday and was consequent to Jaitley’s return from Japan. She was appointed Defence Minister on Sunday after the PM reshuffled his Cabinet

In its detailed order, the Bench directed the Centre through the Home Secretary to provide forces “keeping in view the gravity of the situation”.

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24

Coming down heavily on the Haryana government for its apparent inability to maintain law and order in the state ahead of the Dera verdict, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday asked the Centre to forthwith provide forces, including paramilitary force.Asserting that it could initiate action against the Director General of Police in case of the state’s failure to ensure security, the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Surinder Singh Saron and Justice Avneesh Jhingan said it did not want a situation similar to the Jat reservation stir.

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The Bench said it also expected “full cooperation” from the Dera. Taking into consideration the sensitivity of the situation, the Bench posted the matter for post-lunch session.

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• HC slams Haryana on law and order, asks Centre to provide forces
• Chandigarh, Mohali deserted; Panchkula abuzz with activity

In its detailed order, the Bench directed the Centre through the Home Secretary to provide forces “keeping in view the gravity of the situation”.The Bench asked the Centre to make its own assessment in the matter, while asking Haryana to afford its own estimation and requirement as might be necessary from time to time.Taking a note of CBI standing counsel Sumeet Goel’s submission that its investigating officer, witnesses in the case, and public prosecutor in trial and the High Court were facing threats, the Bench directed Advocate General BR Mahajan to make arrangements to provide protection to them.The Bench also asked Dera counsel SK Garg Narwana and Virat Amarnath to submit in the post-lunch session the steps being taken to defuse the situation. The Bench made the Centre through Home Secretary, the CBI and the Dera parties to a PIL in the matter before calling to the Court Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain.The Bench asked Haryana Additional Advocate General Pawan Girdhar, Satya Pal Jain and advocate Dheeraj Jain to intervene in the matter. Punjab Additional Advocate General PPS Thethi was also requested to assist the court.“The Centre will provide adequate security and force to the state government for maintaining peace and law and order in Panchkula and its surrounding areas forthwith,” the Bench added.A lawyer on Wednesday had moved the High Court for directions to Haryana and its officials to make adequate security arrangements, especially in Panchkula district and surrounding areas, for the expected pronouncement of verdict in the criminal trial against Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh on August 25.Petitioner-advocate Ravinder Singh Dhull had also prayed that the security arrangements might be monitored by the High Court. He claimed that more than 1.5 lakh people had already entered Panchkula district despite prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/hc-slams-haryana-on-law-and-order-asks-centre-to-provide-forces/456837.html

President dedicates maiden Ladakh visit to armed forces

President Ram Nath Kovind presents the President’s Colours to all five Ladakh Scouts battalions and Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre at Leh on Monday. PTI

Jammu, August 21

President Ram Nath Kovind today dedicated his maiden visit to Ladakh, the first outside Delhi since assuming office, to the armed forces of the country.He also presented Colours to all five Ladakh Scouts battalions and the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre. The President said, “In capacity as the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, I dedicate the visit to the armed forces of the country.”(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)He said it had been 54 years since the Ladakh Scouts became part of the Army. “This period has been replete with tales of heroism, honour and glory. The genesis of the regiment was in the invasion by Pakistani raiders in 1947-48 and the resolve with which Ladakhis defended their motherland. This continues to remain a matter of pride for the entire country,” he said.The President said in little over half a century, the regiment has earned 605 honours and awards for conspicuous gallantry and distinguished service. “This speaks for the exceptional valour and spirit of the regiment personnel and is a model for all soldiers and officers of the armed forces,” he added.He said at the colour-presentation ceremony that he would like to pay homage to the martyrs of the Ladakh Scouts Regiment. “Their blood and sacrifice has secured our sovereignty, brought glory to our nation and protected our people from harm,” he said.Among the dignitaries present were Governor NN Vohra, CM Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy CM Nirmal Kumar Singh, other ministers and Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat.The President also released a documentary on Col Sonam Wangchuk, a recipient of Maha Vir Chakra.Later, he laid the foundation stone of the Buddha Park for World Peace at Leh’s Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre. — TNS

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Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 20

In the past decade or so, India has “militarily tailored” its defences along the Himalayas and China could be surprised if an armed clash breaks out.A repeat of the 1962 debacle, when Peoples Liberation Army of China, with a few exceptions, literally overran the Indian military defence, is just not possible in 2017, is an assessment in India.In early 2004, India stepped up efforts to secure areas along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) — the de facto boundary. Every possible route of ingress is continuously “war gamed” by the Army. “War-gaming” is an art of predicting future outcomes of military postures of rivals, fine-tuned by regular military exercises with the IAF, study of satellite imagery and available inputs.Since 2004, around 60,000 troops have been added along the LAC. This includes three new Army divisions and three additional brigades. Part of these form the newly raised Mountain Strike Corps. As of now, India has some 14 divisions (13,000-14,000 troops in each) — facing China that has 15-16 divisions facing India.Over the past five years, a few regiments of tanks have been added to the mechanised forces at specific places in eastern Ladakh and northern Sikkim. In Arunachal Pradesh, India has added troops. It has converted six British-era mud-paved runways into fully paved landing grounds for the IAF. One of these can be a forward base for the Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets. Leh has an airfield with abilities to launch 24×7 strikes. Kargil and Thoise in Ladakh have functional airfields.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)A complement of Sukhois at Hashimara (at the base of Bhutan) has been tasked to take on offensive in Chumbi Valley — the Doklam plateau stand-off is in the same valley. Tezpur in Assam has Sukhoi tasked to take an offensive role, so is Bareilly in Western UP. A squadron (18 planes) of MiG 29 jets has been added to Adampur (Punjab) to swing over Himachal Pradesh into Tibet.Modern US-procured planes C-130-J add to the fleet of Russian AN 32. Within hours, fully equipped troops can be dropped in Arunachal Pradesh and eastern Ladakh.The Indian stance along the LAC is not akin to Jawaharlal Nehru’s 1960-1961 “forward policy”, but it mandates holding on to own claim lines. The “forward policy”, as explained by Neville Maxwell in his book “India’s China war”, entailed taking up permanent positions along the high ridgelines of eastern Ladakh.There are 12 spots of major disputes along the LAC besides several minor ones. The sanctity of these spots is maintained by getting real-time satellite updates on Chinese movement; countering their LAC patrols with own patrols; and maintaining a level of firepower. The Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been tasked with conducting joint patrols along the LAC at designated points, identified by the high-power China Study Group.

What it is About

It is an art of predicting future outcomes of military postures of rivals, fine-tuned by regular military exercises with the IAF, study of satellite imagery and available inputs.Indian preparation

• Since 2004, around 60,000 troops have been added along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control
• India has around 14 divisions (13,000-14,000 troops in each) facing China that has 15-16 divisions facing India
• Over the past five years, a few regiments of tanks have been added to the mechanised forces at specific places in eastern Ladakh and northern Sikkim
• In Arunachal Pradesh, India has added troops and converted six British-era mud-paved runways into fully paved landing grounds for the IAF

AC jackets for Indian Special Forces soonPanaji: Trials for introducing air-conditioned jackets for the Special Forces soldiers are on, former Defence Minister and Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said. “In a Special Forces operation, there is extensive exercise. Body heats up, he (soldier) is very uncomfortable. At that time if he has an AC jacket, he is more comfortable. Trial is on,”said Parrikar, who served as the Defence Minister between 2014 and 2017. IANS