MONTHLY FEATURE uuu POLICE AND SECURITY uuu MARCH, 1994

Dr.S.Subramanian, IPS (Retd.)

The Historical Resolutions adopted by both the Houses of Parliament, not only sent clear signals to friends and foes alike about the resolve of the Nation not to brook any interference in the internal affairs of the country but has also demonstrated the united will of the people to close their ranks to fight the threat from Pakistan. Building on this positive development, an Holistic approach to internal security should be evolved.

For too long, we have been dealing with the symptoms and not the root causes of our problems. Management of Internal Security is not a Military maneuver nor simplistic ‘Bullet for Bullet’ solution. It goes far beyond the fighting of the violence unleashed by the malconcontents. It is not a battle of bullets but wits. Victory will come only when we reestablish the faith in the minds of alienated about the just and fair functioning of the political process. Internal Security, as a concept, denotes the assurances to the citizens of peace and tranquillity in society for the present and in the foreseeable future to enable them to strive towards the achievement of their individual and collective goals.

Internal Security problems are visible symptoms of deep-seated dissonance in body politic. In a country of continental dimensions and extensive diversity due to ethnic, religious, linguistic and other factors, feelings of intolerance, distrust, disrespect for others’ faiths and beliefs are inherent in the society. Thus the seeds of the maladies of communalism, casteism, class-conflicts and others are already present waiting to erupt when favourable conditions exist. Political wisdom and statesmanship are needed to prevent conditions conducive to the development of disruptive forces.

In a democracy, all measures are conceived to benefit the largest number of people. There will always be some, who would be left out of the benefits. If they lack faith in the political process and the establishment lacks credibility, they see ill motives for their exclusion. Thus discontent is present in the functioning of a democracy. When political minorities find the prevailing political processes incapable of removing their discontent and demands, they take to violence. Depending on the degree of alienation and intensity of the problems, violence erupts in the form of insurgency, secessionism, extremism, terrorism and the like. Often discontent is due to perceptional and psychological causes and may not be based on real facts. Since the causes are political the cures also lay in political processes. Force used by the State can only counter the violence per se but can not make the causes disappear. Often indiscriminate and injudicious use of force by the State, alienates the silent majority, who turn away from the efforts of the State to restore normalcy. An Holistic approach to deal with internal security will encompass political, economic, social and measures to counter violence.

Punjab has proved that establishment of political processes should precede restoration of normalcy. With the establishment of popular government in Punjab, the situation improved dramatically. While it may not be possible to hold elections in Kashmir at this juncture, we should think of alternate methods to provide a political vehicle for the people to seek and express their wishes. Political activity has been atrophied in Kashmir Valley and there are none who could be considered to truly represent the people. Imposition of politicians on the people will be a sure invitation for the escalation of violence. To begin with, an all Party Committee of Members of Parliament, including those representing J & K should be constituted to advise both the Centre and the State administration about the steps to be taken to restore normalcy and re-establishment of popular government. This Committee should intensively tour the State, establish contact with the people and also serve as a medium for redressal of grievances. A seasoned and administratively well-experienced political personality should be appointed as the Governor to enable him to establish contact with common man without the rigidities of Protocol. A time bound programme of popular elections from village level onwards should be announced and implemented. All elections in the State should be supervised by the Election Commission to ensure that they are free and fair.

The tragedy of Kashmir is that its economy is over-dependent on one source - Tourism. Alternate sources of generation of employment and income through establishment of many small-scale and cottage industries should be attempted. Once people are assured of gainful employment, they are unlikely to support violent elements. In the past there have been large-scale misuse and misappropriate of funds earmarked for development in the State. Utilisation of funds should be closely monitored at grass-roots administration and public services like medical, transport and public distribution services are to be revived.

Social measures should include spread of liberal education, provision of facilities for children of Kashmir to pursue their education in different States while staying with families; restoring the confidence of minorities by resettling them in the State and providing them with means to become self-supporting. Religious places of worship destroyed by the militants are to be rebuilt at public cost and facilities to profess and practice religion of their choice should be available to all citizens. The culture and way of life of the minorities should be protected.

Security forces should be well advised to adopt moderation in their dealings with the general public. They should not treat the general citizenry as militants. Violations of Human Rights of innocent citizens provide sustenance to violent elements. Strict compliance with Human Rights standards are to be insisted upon. Torture, hostage taking, fake encounters, etc. are to be eschewed. Security forces should remember that in their fight against the militants, operational intelligence can come only from local population. Their friendship and cooperation is essential in their fight against the militants.

There is lot of uninformed talk about low intensity conflict. When circumstances are favourable, hostile neighbours will take advantage of them. This happened I the past in the North-East and Naxalite situation and the present involvement of Pakistan and I.S.I. should be expected and accepted as facts of life. We should, therefore, concentrate on denying opportunities for Pakistan to succeed in her designs. Army and BSF should tighten their control on the border and L.A.C. to ensure that no infiltration takes place and arms and munitions are not ferried from across. Intelligence agencies should concentrate on unearthing the hostile networks and neutralising them. The civil police system should be revamped and their skills upgraded to provide protection to the common man. it should be realised that the battle for democracy should be fought by the people of Kashmir themselves with the help of rest of India. others can not fight their battle.

These measures, aimed at reviving the confidence of common man in the established authority, can not wait till the guns of the militants have been silenced. In fact, these will enable us to win our battle with the militants. Prudence dictates that while keeping pressure on the militants, these proactive measures are to be simultaneously implemented.

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