Awkward Loop - Vivek Sanghi's Web Diary » Terrorism

Knowing the Indian Maoist Rebels

Vivek — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:11:20 +0000

We all have seen scenes of kids using guns and rocket launchers in Afghanistan during extensive media coverage of America’s war on terrorism. But we actually do not need to go so far to learn about how the youth is being maligned by indoctrination as well as poverty and neglect.

For 42 year maoist rebels have fought the Indian Government using guerrilla warfare. This fight has been waged for too long and now poses one of the biggest internal security crises the country faces today. As an affluent city dweller I find it easy to go about my daily chores and not think of these issues. But upon learning in greater detail about the maoist rebels, I am reminded of this quote by V.S. Naipaul:

“Hate oppression. Fear the oppressed.”

Rural development, especially of tribals and people living near state borders has been one of the biggest blind spots of this country and poses the greatest threat to it integrity.

I am provoked by this article in a daily newspaper that I read, which has covered some of the personal letters the Maoist fighters had written to each other (These letter came into the possession of police after they forced the Maoists to flee from one of their camps) and have been shared with the Media. The matter in these letters is very thought provoking and moving. It clearly indicates the extreme resolve and state of frustration these fighters have lived in. Their sole occupation and life mission is to fight and die for their cause.

While it is said that India is on the verge of launching one of the biggest offensives to neutralize the naxal threat, I ask, do we also have a plan to attack the root causes of the problem and prevent them from cropping up again. I doubt. In places where there will be isolated pockets of prosperity, failure of the government machinery and such extreme poverty, I think all of us must be afraid.

The unfortunate lack of proper facilities, infrastructure and training coupled with difficult terrain and outdated weapons make the local police force a very easy target. Therefore, it is way too easy and cheap for the naxalites to involve in conflicts and gain formidable advantage over the law enforcement agencies. One must also not forget the rampant corruption, bureaucratism and red tapism which makes it inefficient and leads to endless delays in planning and implementation of solutions. Some of the letters recovered from maoist rebel bases also describes atrocities and crimes committed by police men which in turn lead to more people taking up arms against the government.

I can write at length about the suggestion that can be implemented to improve this situation. But all proposed solutions shall end in failure as the country’s implementation mechanism is impotent and mired in absolute hopelessness and corruption. No system is wrong or incapable. It is always the people who run the system that fail. If the hand that implements cannot act with a welfare motive, what virtue is there in formulating an action plan.

Fighting the Naxal Problem using Guerrilla Warfare: Article Recommendation

Vivek — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:23:10 +0000

India as a country faces tremendous challenge in maintaining its integrity due to widespread naxalite/militant problem within the country. This issue threatens to rip through the fabric of its democracy and could potentially lead to disintegration of the country if not handled properly. This problem is allegedly being exploited by certain foreign powers to create havoc and destruction in the country such that it finally fractures. This should not come as a shock to most of us because logically, supporting local militancy in a target country is one of the basic tenets of a proxy war (whether state sponsored or otherwise)

Note that it is beyond the purview of this article to judge whether the naxal movement and their cause is right or wrong. That would lead to a tangential discussion which though useful, is currently irrelevant and must be avoided.

I’d rather like to draw your attention to an interesting article I read in today’s newspaper regarding fighting the Naxal problem. I am particularly impressed with the last few paragraphs of this article where the author talks about decisive responses to naxal activities and use of hot pursuit operations. I strongly share this view and will write some thing of my own, once I can take time out of my otherwise busy schedule to think it over and collate my thoughts.

integrity

Another Random Thought

Vivek — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:12:30 +0000

Some thing that came into my mind for the first time after the terrorists attacks in Bangalore IISC in 2005. It came to my mind again and again after every terrorist attack. And after the Mumbai terror attacks I think I was able to complete this picture.

I don’t know if this is right or wrong? I was too busy completing the picture in my mind. May be you can tell me what you think…

Mumbai Terror Attacks – No Fate

Vivek — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:19:25 +0000

I write this article with a very heavy heart. The thought flow in this article might appear haphazard and the sentences might seem lengthy and verbose. My apologies to the readers, as penning emotions is not an easy task, even for seasoned bloggers (and I am just a beginner).

From the last four day I have been following the incidents related to the Mumbai terrorist attacks on all kinds of media and news sources (such as TV, Twitter, Blogs, Live video streams, Foreign News channels, Foreign and India print media, security sites and even terrorist websites!). I sat in front of the television with my laptop and followed the incident on twitter (#mumbai), websites and TV channels simultaneously. I have reviewed every statement and incident in great detail (while ignoring my personal and professional responsibilities).

I have come to the conclusion that everything that could go wrong with our (India’s) handling of this disaster has gone wrong. We were caught napping.

Terrorists came to OUR land, shed OUR (and our guests’) blood

They made a mockery of our system as they hijacked a government vehicle and roamed about in the city spraying bullets from it.

They smiled at us before shooting us from a point blank range.

They have come to our land and ravaged us repeatedly and we have been unable to act!

On the contrary, they were completely successful in all that they wished to accomplish. This is our failure, not victory. We are ashamed and now unable to hold our head high in the international community. This failure is devastating. It has hurt our pride. Israel has called our handling of this event as slow and confused response. We gave them the opportunity to say this and we had nothing concrete to defend ourselves. (In a world where globalization and free trade has been rapidly expanding, it is the supreme responsibility of every country to protect its people, businesses, and guests. A failure is absolutely unacceptable)

History is a testament to the fact that we have always failed to protect ourselves from foreign attacks. Babur, Mahamud of Ghazni, Ahmed Shah Abdali, Nadir Shah and the East India Company: They all came and bled us white (with exception of Babur who chose to settle down and make our country his own, however it is believed that Mughal era was a period of intellectual darkness for India).

I believe that our police system is incapable of protecting us. While our army is capable, their potency is severely marred by our political system.

Considering all this I have concluded that we as a country have become incapable of protecting ourselves. Whatever has transpired so far makes me feel insecure.

I feel alone and insecure on my soil and in my house.

I am considering buying a gun, a bullet proof jacket/helmet and join a military training course. I will wear the jacket every time I go to a public place so that I have some chance of surviving such an attack. I’d rather fight the terrorists than die helplessly at their gun point. I have spent considerable time and effort in becoming whatever little I am. My parents have spent loads of time, money and sacrificed in supporting me to become someone. My life is important to me. I believe that I can make a difference somewhere and I therefore refuse to die cheaply at the hands of some gun totting, brainless and fucked-up zealot.

I am sure this thought may be going through the minds of many Indians. We have collectively lost faith in our political system and they are repeatedly reaffirming our beliefs with their immature actions during this crisis situation. Here is what I am talking about:

Maharashtra’s Chief Minister goes on a disaster site tour (read picnic) with a movie director and his son (a movie actor).

For Christ’s sake show some seriousness man. Why do need to have a movie director and an actor by your side during such a tour?? Is this a joke?? Don’t you even care about what the media and the people will think about you?

BJP Senior Leader and PM candidate for next central elections decides to skip an all party meet convened to discuss this critical security issue at hand. Reason?

He thinks that campaigning for a state assembly election in Rajasthan is more important that trying to work together to device a new fool-proof security set-up for our country.

State Home Minister of Maharashtra called the Terror Attacks on Mumbai as a minor and casual/common incident in a big city like Mumbai. (He actually said exactly that!!)

Jeez!! Was this guy drunk or something? Some one please remove him immediately!!!

A ruling party spokesperson on Karan Thapar’s show (War of Words) is asked a direct question about this failure and he shamelessly tries to evade it.

He knows that Mr. Thapar can grill him on the issue and he therefore just evades the questions altogether. Isn’t he answerable to the nation?

On Headlines Today (an Indian News Channel), the anchor asks a ruling party spokesperson a direct question which is as follows:

Why did the NSG commandos take 9 hours to reach Mumbai from Delhi, when they are capable of reaching any location in India within 2 hours?

To this the minister says that the info is incorrect. At best the NSG commandos could have reached the site within 7 hours i.e. “just” two hours earlier…

This guy calls two valuable hours, “just two hours”. Can you imagine the number of lives that could be saved had the NSG reached even an hour earlier? He is bargaining on a matter of national security right in front of the nation and on a live show!!! This is akin to saying, “hey we are not naked; we still have the undees on…”

Shocked at such a remark by the minister, the anchor rightfully blasts the minister and his audio channel is muted, virtually removing him from the discussion(perhaps to allow others to speak).

The outgoing home minister says that he decided to quit (read sacrifice his post) so that other officials need not have to face the heat/axe on this debacle.

OMG!! This guy is a saint and he needs to be decorated for this “sacrifice”. Sarcasms apart, I think he is one of the most incapable home ministers our country has ever seen. His remarks on the television regarding every terrorist incident the country has faced (in the recent past) have been very casual and many say that he was not even perceived to be taking any steps to improve the security situation in the country.

We the citizens of the largest democracy in the world are totally frustrated by our politicians. It is not that we do not have the intelligentsia to run our country; it is about this cancerous system called the Indian politics that has frustrated us beyond any measure.

Mumbai Terror Attacks – Necessary Info Collated

Vivek — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:21:29 +0000

Mumbai Terror Attack Stats (Courtesy The Indian)

Total people killed: 183

Civilians (Indians): 141

Security forces: 20

Foreign tourists Killed: 22

(Three each from Israel and Germany; two from Canada and one each from US, Italy, China, Thailand, Mauritius, Singapore, Britain, Japan and Australia. Five are yet to be identified)

Total Injured: 239

Indians: 216

Foreigners: 23

NSG commandos:

In operation: 477

Killed: 2

Injured: 8

Policemen killed: 18

Terrorists

Total: 10

Killed: 9

Arrested: 1