murali772 - 2 December, 2008 | Bangalore | governance | Reforms | Analysis | Economy | Security | terrorism

But not a single politician spoke of the real problem. There can be no change unless India is able to strengthen not its laws, as we have more than enough of these its security network. For this only two steps are necessary: end politicisation and rid the police and the intelligence and security agencies of corruption.

Merit has long ceased to matter. Policemen now pay politicians in the districts first to be recruited. They then pay them to get better postings. They are then paid in turn to turn a blind eye to corruption.

At the end in any city or district, police seniors are men appointed more for loyalty to the government in power. This is true of all positions, whether the diplomatic service or the coast guard. But it becomes lethal when those entrusted with maintaining law and order are too unprofessional to do so.

Or, too corrupt to care.

The politician makes money in equipment and hardware. For instance, the soldiers sent up to fight Pakistanis in the Kargil mountains did not even have proper snowshoes.

Why? Because no one had thought of placing an order, as this was a small ticket item when compared to heavy weaponry, and the commission did not justify the effort for the politician concerned. Similarly, the Mumbai operation showed that the city police, and even the anti terrorist force, that lost some very good officers in the operation, were not equipped to fight the terrorists.

The senior-most officer Hemant Karkare, was seen putting on a heavy, outdated jacket and going into battle with just a revolver.

He did not have a chance.

So while there has to be an investigation to determine those behind the attack, there has to be another equally serious inquiry to determine who failed in their duty, when and where, and to take action. The follow-up lies in an overhaul of the security apparatus.
Of course, this is easier said than done, for the politician will not allow the administration to get out of his grasp.

This is where the people of India come in.

Instead of being swayed by the divisive agenda of the unscrupulous men who claim to lead us, we should make it clear to them that they have to be seen strengthening the system and making themselves and their officers more accountable. Hard states are not made by stringent laws. Hard states govern with a soft hand, but ensure that the entire law and order machinery are strengthened through merit and training.

And are not frustrated but secure, not angry but accountable, not arrogant but responsive and mete out justice with an even hand.

This is when terrorists will be kept out as they will not be able to penetrate the armour of Indian unity

For the full text, click on:
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Lessons+from+Mumbai&artid=w8Nc0U4KYIc=&SectionID=d16Fdk4iJhE=&MainSectionID=HuSUEmcGnyc=&SectionName=aVlZZy44Xq0bJKAA84nwcg==&SEO=

Such a scale of operation could not have been carried out without local support. And, that obviously came from the Mumbai underworld - more specifically - Dawood Ibrahim's men. So, while all the diplomatic efforts on a global level can get started to get Pakistan to behave, we first need to get our 'police reforms' moving.

Karnataka is amongst the few states that has made some progress on this front. A high-level meeting of police officers, chaired by DG and IGP R Srikumar, forwarded the draft of the New Karnataka Police Act (based on the recommendations of the Soli Sorabjee Committee), to the State government for legislation a few months back. Check: http://bangalore.praja.in/blog/murali772/2008/10/30/police-accountability-authority

Perhaps the civil society needs to pursue its immediate adopiton and speedy implementaion.

Muralidhar Rao

 

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