Arun Shourie on Handling Terrorism

Arun Shourie on Handling Terrorism
Post agreement on ceasefire between India and Pakistan in 2003, the state of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed maximum civilian casualties. This was the reason that the PM had given Indian forces a “free hand” when it came to dealing with firing from Pakistan’s side. This is something which noted journalist, author and former minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, Arun Shourie, has been advocating since many years.
Lectures that Mr. Shourie delivered in the Rajya Sabha form the first two parts of the book “We Must Have No Price”. In the first chapter Mr. Shourie gave plenty of examples of how as a nation we have not paid attention to national security and then act surprised when we face attacks from terrorists. While giving an example of how vulnerable is our long coast is he writes, “Now Lakhsdweep has 36 islands. Ten of these are inhabited. Talking of one of these islands, Suheli, the Task Force pointed out that, sea vessels of smugglers apart, “there have been instances of twin rotor helicopters (of the kind used by militaries) landing at Suheli Island and spotting of unidentified helicopters flying in the waters around the islands…””
Despite this Intelligence gathering on islands was carried on by one Head Constable/Constable who reports to the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the police station who in turn passes it on to the Inspector (Special Branch) at Kavaratti. Post 2008 Mumbai attack the only change is that the Inspector (Special Branch) at Kavaratti is now designated as Joint Assistant Director or Deputy Central Intelligence Officer depending on his cadre.
Mr. Shourie suggests the to dos for protecting our nation against terror attacks in the future.
First – act on recommendations that are made by committees set up.
Second – send better type of into legislatures and, thence, to governments. When we select leaders who treat the police as their private army; when we select leaders for whom investigating agencies are instruments to fix rivals or let off allies, don’t expect the police and agencies to suddenly turn around and forestall terrorists.
Third – remember that little can be achieved unless every aspect of governance, is brought up to par. You can’t have a first-rate commando force and a third-rate magistracy. You can’t have defence and intelligence personnel who will nab terrorists and courts that will let them off, or, better still, enable them to live off the Treasury as State guests for years.
Fourth – a weakened and confused society explains as much, and the responsibility lies as much with those who have dissipated national resolve, who have made nationalism a dirty word.
Fifth – we must have the sternest of law in the world. But having the law is not enough. We must enforce it. And enforcing the law means carrying out sentences that he law provides.
Finally – have a clear realisation of the condition of the society and State of Pakistan. Unless you come across evidence that the nature of the State and society of Pakistan has changed, it is idiotic to put faith in the profession of this ruler or that.
Mr. Shourie adds that,
 “But for nay of this to happen, the society has to be clear in its mind. This is, it has for 20 years been, war. It can be won only by overwhelming the adversary – not by running after the terrorist, as K P S Gill says, but by out-running him, indeed by over-running him. Not an eye for an eye. For an eye, both eyes. Not a tooth for a tooth. For a tooth, the whole jaw. Human rights? Yes, we will respect the human rights of the terrorists and their sponsors and their local supporters to the extent that they respect the human rights of our people.”

 

Courtsey: Niti Central