OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLE….INDIAN SECURITY JEOPARADISED

OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLE….INDIAN SECURITY JEOPARADISED

Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao (Retired)

The attack on Bombay by the Pakistani based criminals and thugs is slowly merging into history. The initial euphoria and public outrage appears to have faded (1). Are Indians reconciled to their fate at the hands of present rulers? Human memory is very short and soon things will be forgotten. The reasons and circumstances that resulted in the debacle of Indian army in 1962 war with Chinese army has been coolly forgotten. The national shame that India collected was no doubt was the result of poor policies, overconfidence in oneself, self glorification and glory hunting by certain individuals enjoying power (2). India has now very dearly paid after 45 years for the laxity in security, for ill planning in all aspects of national security, failure of counter intelligence and the most important factor i.e. the lack of will to fight enemies of the nation within and outside the country. The present calamity in India is being termed as 9/11 of India as if it is a great achievement to be emulated. We want to be at par with the super power on every thing. On this account too we have now achieved equality. India has been facing the terror from the Pakistani inspired elements since long and the attack on Indian parliament some years ago clearly exposed the Indian apathy in this direction. There were many blood chilling attacks such as attack on Raghunath temple, attack on Akshardam temple in Gujarat, Attack on Kaluchak military camp, Attack on Ram janma Bhoomi in Ayodhya, attack on Jamm and Kashmir assembly, Train blasts in Bombay twice and in spite of these incidents, India has not learnt any lesson. India is also credited in handing over a bunch of terrorists to Taliban in Kandhar after an Indian airliner was hijacked. The tragedy is that the Defense representative went to Afghanistan and handed over the thugs on a silver plate to their brothers. What a pity? What a shame indeed? (3)
India has been playing cat and mouse and Tom and Jerry game with Pakistan. Every time, the Prime Minister and Home minister made statements in parliament that India would crush all types of terrorism with iron hand. They read long statements prepared by the glorified clerks of Home Ministry. But nothing of that sort took place and every time the terrorists across the border came with new plan and exposed our weakness apart from committing mayhem and murder. Infact while Prime minister was condemning terrorism at international forums, the terrorists engineered blasts in Indian cities killing innocent people. The pseudo secularists bask in the sun enjoying their game plans to corner minority votes while the country gets raped by the terrorists within and outside the country. The Muslim world is fully convinced that India is incapable of any strong action and India is treated as a happy hunting ground for all types of terrorists (4).
There have been reports in news that India was fore warned that attack through sea was being contemplated and there was a need for preventing such mishaps. But sadly all these warnings mostly from US went unheeded. India's intelligence service failed to act on intercepted phone conversations that an attack on Mumbai was imminent and the subsequent response to the terrorist strikes was "amateur", security experts have claimed. It is also learnt that our sea protectors got information that LET commandos abroad a vessel were trying to cross sea into our waters. They claimed that they searched, but the ship was in international waters and therefore could not do any thing. Later on, reportedly they lost touch with the vessel and gave it up. They failed in detecting the hijacked fishing trawler in which the terrorists travelled to Mumbai despite alerts by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the country's overseas intelligence gathering agency, that an attack via the Arabian Sea was imminent. (5). Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) vessel attempting to infiltrate into Mumbai was shared with the Coast Guard as well as the naval intelligence, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said , while asserting that India cannot go back to "business as usual" with Pakistan. Probably they woke up when Taj Hotel was being blasted. India is basically over confident apart from being careless too. The leaders do not show the same type of enthusiasm in preventing terrorist attacks which they display in framing up their critics and opposition leaders on various charges in their political games to protect their parliamentary or assembly seats. The security agencies take things very light. The most important question people ask is , “ Why the government has failed to detect and prevent such conspiracy although India was forewarned and why people should suffer for the slackness of the rulers and the officials. The only silver lining in hair is Prime minister’s apology to the nation (6). Apology is not going to bring back the lives of nearly 171 people who died in this outrage. Neither it is going to restore the confidence of people in the rulers for their ability to rule. Unfortunately people in India have to suffer having elected pseudo rulers and incompetent people. We get government what we deserve (7).

As expected, the Defense minister Shivraj Patil was made the scape goat and he had to go along with his trim and pressed suit and neatly combed strands of oily hair. Also was Vilas Rao Deshmukh in pure white cothes (8). But these men would soon be accommodated in some other jobs and they are not eternally condemned. There is nothing to loose for them except some official position for few months or days. How about the real persons who are directly responsible for the security, such as Intelligence heads in Bombay and Delhi? What was Coast guard doing? How about Naval intelligence? They were caught unawares. No one is asking why and how Navy and Coast Guard have failed to protect our shores. What were their plans to prevent such mishaps? Do we wait for things to happen and then learn? We already fought two major wars with Pakistan and in one of the wars Indian Navy sunk Pak submarine Ghazi near east coast. How security has become relaxed now? Why Navy does not update its security measures for national security and prevent such mishaps? How can a large country like India with extensive coastal line neglect this aspect? In fact some articles appeared in news papers some time ago that coast line was not safe for India. Do we act only when some thing happens and then take adhoc measures? Our Navy in international waters near Gulf of Aden recently protected and rescued foreign ships (9) from pirates and we have glorified and beat chests and drums in appreciation while back home it had no clue about the attack coming from sea. The terrorists walked into Bombay from sea coast as if for a picnic. How can they prevent commando led under- sea attacks on our naval battle ships and aircraft carriers. They could be next targets. Navy failed to deliver and so too is coast guard. What is the use of having such large fleet that can not guarantee Indian coastal security? The same is true for coast guard. The failure at sea was probably due to parallel roles and overlapping responsibilities and inter service rivalry. It turns out to be no ones baby.
In India for every establishment in defense services there is again a civil counterpart in some form or other. The duties overlap. The command is confusing. In nut shell, security is left to winds. Most of the time they are busy squabbling for equivalence and status and superiority of command. The necessity for pin pointing failures by such agencies is being avoided. Or else many skeletons would roll out of the cup boards. It is well known that small time officers such as Sub inspectors, Inspectors and constables in police forces in states are taken to task and suspended on small matters. But nothing has come through involving the higher ups in Police and intelligence wings and Navy or Coast guard for the failures and breach of security involving the nation that is most serious and can not be forgiven. In fact, there has been collective failure. Right from the politicians to the executive level there has been a security breach and country has been let down by the politicians and executive. this appears to have melted down with apology of the great Prime Minister. This is the sad part of the sordid drama in nut shell. The new defense minister admitted the government failure and assured that stern steps will be initiated to prevent such future occurrences. This is a routine assurance. He is planning to open many schools to train commandos. How it is going to change situation is not known? Some more law enforcing agencies also are likely to be opened adding to the present confusion and chaos adding to duplicity. When too many agencies are there, passing the buck will be too easy and finally situation would develop where no one owns responsibility and none can be blamed either. These are only avenues for promotions to some senior ranks to wear sword and baton and heavier brass and for expansion of their empires and areas of influence. Probably, the current Bombay blasts case is the result of such chaotic functioning in the executive involving police , coast guard, intelligence agencies and of course the Navy too, a difficult pill to swallow.
In fact, safety of Bombay city is the sole responsibility of Bombay police. But they are probably busier in other activities of usual political games and normal social unrest due to politicking. In recent times, there have been too many troubles such as Raj Thackeray case, violence against North Indians, underworld problems, usual smuggling scenario, Prostitution and smuggling of girls etc. In nut shell, they have no time for securing the city. Maharashtra government is erecting a mammoth statue of Maratha warrior Chhatrapathi Shivaji Maharaaj on the sea coast at Bombay. Hope the great Maratha warrior would safeguard India in future as he has done during the times of Aurangzeb, the evil Mughal emperor. Till then Indians particularly Bombaywallahs have to suffer the insecurity and be satisfied with the speeches of Dr Man Mohan Singh on TV screen. Probably Shivaji Maharaaj would feel sorry for the fate of his people whom he protected throughout his life and fought tooth and nail to uphold honor of his men against the evil designs of Mughals. While Shivaji Maharaaj was as fast as a panther in his raids our people took lot of time to transport the commandos from a distant place and few hours were lost during which the hostages and others were freely killed. All credits must go to the heroes who killed the terrorists all except one as claimed in spite of these limitations and chaotic functioning.
It is opined that bringing Chidambaram into the chair of Defense ministry would make no difference to the security of the country in any way except some pacification and cooling of tempers in the society and some variety to the scenario. There has been also news that the Prime Minister has most cleverly got rid of Chidambaram as finance minister on this pretext. Without embarrassing some one he has achieved his aim. With one shot, he killed two birds. There were pressures due to his non performance and the inflation. Sadly it is basically the national policy and directions that are lacking in the country that are leading to disasters one after the other.
Terrorism is having free and happy run in India with continued blasts at various places frequently (10). The security agencies are mostly on wild goose or wood duck chase that evades them. While PM was away abroad and probably giving speeches against terrorism at renowned places over decorated podiums and much fan fare recently, back in India in Delhi another blast killed two guys. The blast was a small one. Delhi police struggled to catch the thugs and recently killed some and captured another one from Indian Mujahedeen. Sadly the brave police inspector Mr Sharma died in shoot out. All praise for him and bravery in fighting the anti nationals. He actually died as a hero, but not as a mute witness during the drama. How long we shall loose such brave men? Even in recent Bombay strikes many soldiers, an army officer Unni krishnan and some senior police officers also died. Major Unni Krishnan did not come in to lime light. He went unsung. We have sacrificed our brave men for the cause of India. Why police is unable to show its real teeth? Is it because they are not being allowed to function? Or their teeth have decayed. The force is armed with weapons that are no match for those of terrorists. Police officers armed with revolvers and magazine pistols that are useless weapons against terrorists. It was unfortunate that senior police officers at Bombay were shot dead soon by the terrorsits. It is so sad. Can we expect them to fight the dangerous terrorists armed with modern AK 47 automatics with the pistols as if in Hindi movies? In fact the police failures are because of political interference in police matters and practice of pseudo secularism and appeasement of minorities? It is time all anti national terror outfits are banned and the members are put behind bars and conduct summary trials. The normal law is too slow. They can not be treated as usual murderers by giving ample chances to prove themselves as innocent and continuing court cases eternally. Here the crimes are against the nation and mostly treason. Punishment for treason has to be death and nothing less than death has to me promulgated against them (11). At every incident, the government assured that they would strongly deal with militants and in fact it was a mirage. Nothing of that sort happened. The POTA act has been sidelined giving freedom to lawlessness. Every time, the militants became bolder and acted with impunity. Terrorists flourished in the country and outside too while India bled continuously. Think of the mothers, fathers, wives, sisters, brothers, husbands and children of those who were killed in various terrorist activities. The government and rulers have no answer. In a routine way, the government announces some exgratia, paying homage and washes its hands off. The guys have to run around the government offices to receive the financial help not before wetting the hands of various Babus in line. Such tales are plenty and appear in news papers too to be seen and forgotten. This is not the failure of any one day. The failure has been continuous for the last 61 years of our precarious existence with Pakistan as a spear in the side. Internal terrorist outfits such as Student Islamic movement of India SIMI is converting entire India into a battle ground duly abetted by Pakistani elements. SIMI is a serious threat to Indian State and it has to be decimated at the earliest (12) ( 13) (14). No doubt there was a hue and cry by Bombaywallahs that either the government must act or go. There was no much great public uproar across the country against the government failure in protecting the country. In fact all non performers have to vacate. Either you save the country or go. But sadly that does not happen. Guys are thick skinned and can weather storms. For some to be in top positions is a life time ambition and positions can not be sacrificed easily. They hang on. It is for the people to become wise, throw out incompetent and choose some who can save the country from intimidation and disaster.

Bibliography

1.Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao ( Retired) ,India caught with pants down, progressive Islam.org, December 10, 2008

2. Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao ( Retired) What is wrong with us in India? Faithcommons.org, August17, 2008, 06:29

3. Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao ( Retired), Pseudo secularism and derailed India ( Telugu), Saraswathi printers, Hyderabad, AP, India

4. Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao ( Retired), Has India turned into an unsafe country as terrorists have free time? Faithcommons.org, September 30, 2008, 23:54 (Actually appeared on site on 3 October 2008)

5. Rahul Bedi in Mumbai, India’s intelligence services 'failed to act on warnings of attacks',,http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3537279/Indias-intelligence-services-failed-to-act-on-warnings-of-attacks.html?mobile=basic

6.Venkatesh Kesari, PM says sorry to India, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, Ap, India , Date December 12, 2008, PP 1

7. Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao, India caught with pants down, Progressive Islam.org, December 10, 2008

8 Venkatesh kesari, Protests boot out Vilasrao, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, December 04, 2008 PP 1

9. SAM DOLNICK Associated Press Writer © 2008 The Associated Press Indian navy sinks suspected pirate "mother" ship, Nov 19, 2008, 2:06PMhttp://72.14.235.132/search?q=cache:txQ_61WEl0wJ:feeds.chron.com/~r/houstonchronicle/apworld/~3/fjp_knc1sAw/6121285.html+Indian+nay+blows+up+pirate+vessel+in+gulf+of+aden&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=in

10.. Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao, .India and terrorism… What lacks here? Faithcommons.org, June 04, 2008, 10:13

11. Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao, Do the captured terrorists deserve sympathy and mercy although they are holding the world to ransom? Faithcommons.org, December, 15, 2006, 10:19

12.. Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao, SIMI is dangerous to India’s existence, August faithcommons.org, 11, 2008,11:16

13.Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao Indian Mujahideen are growing, faithcommons.org, September 17, 2008. 07:26

14. Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao, SIMI on rise again, spreading fast and is a serious threat to India, faithcommons.org, April 14, 2008, 11:31

Dr K Prabhakar Rao

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