Bomdila refuses to die down (English Version) Rakshak News 21 Nov 18

Bomdila refuses to die down (English Version) Rakshak News 21 Nov 18

http://www.rakshaknews.com/vishesh/bomdila-flames-not-being-cold
Bomdila refuses to die down (English Version) Rakshak News 21 Nov 18
The scuffle between the police and soldiers in Bomdila has continued to dominate social media. Members of the IPS have, instead of adopting their normal pastime of criticizing the IAS for all ills, jumped up and joined them in blaming the army. Multiple versions of what happened have been floating on social media, each government service adopting the views which suit them. The IAS and IPS claim that the army was responsible and are even insisting that the case be investigated only by the police and the guilty charged through legal channels.
The army is clear on how the incident unfolded, after all it was part of every stage. The arrest and manhandling at the cultural event of the two soldiers were despite the police being made aware of the status of the individuals being serving soldiers. It took effort from the army unit to get the two released. It was this highhandedness which the Commanding Officer (CO) had come to resolve. The CO made two visits to meet the SP, the first without any weapons. Having witnessed a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary in the SP office complex, came for the second visit with his Quick Reaction Team. Bolstered by the presence of their SP and DM, the police present attempted to resort to unparliamentary language and gestures and aimed at pushing army personnel.
A scuffle occurred, which had no damage or injuries, except maybe a few rear-view mirrors. The only injured were the two soldiers who had been brutally thrashed by the police in custody and were the root cause of the incident. Every IPS on social media justifies manhandling those whom the police arrest as legal, without any reference of the same in the IPC. In every case where there has been a custodial death or beating, concerned police has been suspended. Surprisingly, in this case the police are justifying physical violence from their side. The video of the CO, on social media was only post the conclusion of the entire episode and only selected portions were leaked.
The army, as the righteous organization, which has always been responsible to the nation and far more respected than any other service has ordered its own inquiry. The army chief had gone on to state that if any individual is found guilty, he would be punished. The IPS, as expected of its approach, has not even bothered to question those from within itself who crossed the limit and manhandled soldiers, but sought to defend them. For them, such actions of abusing citizens are normal and accepted.
This announcement by the army chief indicates why the nation considers the army as the most reliable and trustworthy organization, with the police and civil services way below. It also displays the level of moral courage within the army and the complete lack of it with the local police and bureaucratic leadership in Bomdila. While one seeks to project transparency, the other seeks to hide it.
The CO of the unit which was involved in the incident had to act, as it was his men, for whom he is responsible, who were being illtreated. For him, his men are supreme and for them any sacrifice is acceptable. He acted as a leader would, ensuring their release from illegal custody. The IPS lobby criticizing his actions may never realize the bond between a leader and his men, as such a bond never exists in their organizations.
The nation stood by the army on social media because police brutality is a known fact in Indian society, army participating in violence is not only rare but only when extremely provoked. Many have questioned why the army should conduct its own inquiry and punish its own, when the police would not.
The answer by the army chief was most appropriate. The army is the most respected institution in the country. It cannot adopt the police model and defend indiscipline, in case it is so proved. It has its own responsibility of the nation which it cannot ignore. The nation trusts it and as an institution, it would never let the trust be broken. This is the hallmark of a respected institution.

About the Author

Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar

Retired Major General Indian Army