The Bible Psalm 11:6 says “Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup). (New King James Version). For more than 2000 years, the desert sands have been gulping human blood, from battle orgies between believers and supposed non-believers. The latest clandestine operation, dubbed ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’, was launched by terror organization Hamas on Saturday October 07 2023, catching Israel and the whole world by surprise.
The multi-modal operation was conducted across land, sea and air, and the first brunt of the attack was borne by infants, children, women, and the aged and infirm. As usual with terror assaults, women were raped and killed, infants and innocent children locked up in cages, and later executed and burnt brutally. As Israel reeled from the initial shock and awe, the retaliation started swift and fast, with a classic statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “Israel is at war. We didn’t want this war. It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way. But though Israel didn’t start this war, Israel will finish it,” in an address to the nation. The Hamas savages are cowing down unable to stand-up against the Israeli military might, while Gaza is getting reduced to rubble.
That aside, what are the important lessons for India? Whether it was India’s 1993 Mumbai attack, Sri Lanka’s Easter bombings, Bali bombings, 2015 Paris attacks, September 11 attacks in USA, and innumerable other terror attacks across the globe, the common factor is that terrorists strike first against unarmed citizens. Invariably, the first strike targets are defenceless children, ladies and senior citizens.
Hence the first priority should be upgrading civil defence capability. How best can India have a robust civil defence set-up? While full military conscription is an ideal policy, the logistics and expenditure would be unaffordable. But, the government can easily start a full fledged civil defence program for all government servants irrespective of rank and age. While some civil services like IAS and IRS have brief Army attachment programs, these are all only cosmetic in nature. What is needed is compulsory enrolment of every government servant in the Territorial Army, after a compulsory military service in the border areas.
The IPS has a full-fledged program as they deal with internal security, but what is alarming is that in 2018 it was reported that of the 122 IPS officers, 119 failed in one or more subjects! Despite failing, the officers not only graduated but were posted to their State cadres, and were working as regular officers! This is a very alarming situation, which can jeopardize the internal security set-up. Details for subsequent years are not available in the public domain, but the situation appears very alarming.
The Central government data given under the heading “Estimated Strength of Establishment and Provisions” shows actual strength in 56 central ministries and departments was a little over 31.69 lakh as of March 1, 2022, which is estimated to rise to over 34.45 lakh as of March 1, 2023, and then to 35.55 lakhs as of March 1, 2024. This is a very formidable number , which can be utilized and deployed as a part of the Territorial Army, undertaking day and night vigil and patrol of public infrastructure and assets. Such a move will effectively deter any terror groups from indulging in any misadventure, as the sheer number of the Territorial Army, will be a deterrent, for any terror groups.
The Central government should also make it mandatory that aspirants seeking any government jobs, including Civil Services, should possess NCC ‘C’ Certificate. This will be a big boost for NCC enrolment. Also, NCC, and Territorial Army, training and weapons handling need to be upgraded and utilized for internal security maintenance, especially safeguarding railway tracks, heritage monuments, dams, power stations and water reservoirs.
Unarmed combat should be mandatorily introduced in every school and college, and minimum grade prescribed, which should be part of the exam curriculum.
Another huge force that can be effectively utilized is the Central government pensioners. Union Personnel Minister disclosed in February 2023 that the number of persons drawing pension from the Central government is more than the number of active employees! There are more pensioners, about 77 lakh, than active service personnel, which is about 50-60 lakh. While many may not be in perfect health, a substantial number could be utilized in secondary roles, especially as First Responders, to tackle medical emergencies.
All State government employees should be administered regular Police training, and utilized for community policing. The combined Central and State government employees can be a formidable force and support during critical times, especially during terror strikes, which is likely to increase in future.
Another huge asset is the Private Security Industry (PSI) which is amongst the largest employers in India, employing almost 8.9 million people, with the potential to employ 3.1 million more by 2023. The PSI also has the unique distinction of being the largest corporate tax contributor to the National Exchequer. The Central government needs to bring it under the Home Ministry, as part of the internal security establishment, prescribe a standard uniform, insignia and elementary defensive tools.
India also needs to establish an independent agency for Security Audit, for reviewing the performance of all enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, their training, deployment, and upgrading of weaponry. Many enforcement agencies like the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, and Enforcement Directorate do not have even a Training Academy of their own! Therefore, an independent organization like the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, needs to be established with statutory powers, that can audit and advise the government about the deficiencies and inadequacies of all Police forces, and enforcement agencies, all intelligence agencies, that needs to be addressed.
Another grave problem that is loosely addressed is the refugee problem, and rising number of infiltrators, especially from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Just like in money laundering, refugees and infiltrators are getting assisted in three distinct stages – placement, layering and integration, in many sensitive areas, especially around military installations. Further, such alien nationals are being parked in many Legislative and Parliamentary constituencies, to boost the electoral prospects of a particular community, or make their support inevitable for the success of any candidate. Fake identification documents, and disguised employment is being arranged in hotels, workshops and other labour intensive industries. Their womenfolk are securing easy employment as housemaids and home nurses, using false names and identities. Even the capital city of New Delhi is flooded with such entities. In a critical situation, as experienced by Israel, these maid servants, home nurses and their menfolk can turn into informers, killers and saboteurs, and wreak havoc. Many also operate as ‘sleeper cells’, spies, drug peddlers, and couriers. The most dangerous factor is that they can be deployed as a formidable force for rioting and many other unlawful activities.
Lastly, the Judiciary is the Achilles Heel in India’s democracy. Judiciary is not taking a macroscopic perspective about terror offences. Even an intention to commit an act of terror, and aborted terror missions, complicity in converting young girls and despatching them to terror zones in foreign locations, needs to be heavily punished with stiff imprisonment terms, with no scope of any kind of clemency or remission. Anybody found involved in any manner in terror activities, should not be eligible for bail, hospitalization, travel, for a period of 180 days, during which time, investigations and filing of chargesheets should be completed. Verdict needs to be delivered within 03 months of filing of chargesheet, no adjournments, only 03 witnesses need to be examined, no lengthy arguments or written briefs. Maximum written arguments should be restricted to just five pages and only five judgements need to be cited as precedents. Mandatory minimum punishments need to be prescribed, and no discretion of any kind should be given to Judges and Magistrates who handle terror cases. Lawyers appearing in terror related cases, should mandatorily disclose source of fees, and for miscellaneous case related expenses, supported by bank documents and vouchers. Terror cases are too grave to be left to be decided leisurely or at midnight in secrecy in residences of judges.
India has a lot to learn from the ongoing Gaza terror conflict.
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