REFORMS CIVIL SERVICES; NEED OF HOUR

PRODUCING CIVIL SERVANTS OR PUBLIC SERVANTS ?
Central Civil Services in India is all set to become ebonite coated so that it is insulated from undue political interference as a bill in this regard is likely to be tabled in this session of Parliament itself. Reforms in Central Civil Services have been on the government’s priorities. In fact an Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) had been constituted under Veerappa Moily to look into the entire gamut and recommend reforms in administration. Selection of new DGPs and Chief Secretaries by new government at State has always been a matter of debate. Similarly appointments of key functionaries at Centre like Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary and Principal Secretary to PM by govt have also been under scanner of opposition. Need has been felt for few years to evolve a transparent and an institutional system in such appointments. The proposed legislation is perhaps aimed at addressing these core issues.
Proposed Bill is bound to trigger a National debate because Civil Service, in spite of Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation (LPG), has still been embedded into the socio-economic, political and almost every walk of life with varied degree of penetration.
Government said it would bring a Bill just after the Budget. The proposed Bill seeks to constitute Central Civil Services Authority (CCSA) consisting of 3-5 members headed by a Chairman who would be selected by a committee of PM, Judge of Supreme Court, and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha. The Chairman would be placed at par with Chief Election Commission (CEC), that means his mode of appointment, service conditions, tenure and procedure of removal etc will be similar to that of CEC.
Many State governments have raised voices of concerns on the pretext of, what they call undue interference of Union Government in State’s matters. It is a scathing attack on, what they call, on the federal structure of government as enshrined in the Constitution. States are particularly averse to the provision in which consent of leader of opposition in matters of appointments of DGP and CS would be must. However one can hardly deny the fact that Civil Services in India do require some sort of overhauling and revamping in view of changing socio-economic, politico-administrative and global milieu.
Civil Service in India is a British legacy and still continue to exist with least metamorphosis. In fact posts of Collectors were created as early as in 1773 itself by the British. The Regulating Act of 1773, which was perhaps the first legislation of British in India to extend, consolidate and institutionalise British Raj created these posts. But it is only from 1853 when Civil Servants began to be selected through a competitive examination in which Indians were deprived from appearing into. Post of Divisional Commissioners (DC) and Sub-divisional Officers (SDO) were later created by governor general Lord William Bentick to lessen enormous powers of Collectors. Even after Independence this structure remained so strong that even Nehru called ICS as steel frame of India.
This steel frame work of India now requires anti-corrosion treatment to make it more resilient and vibrant so that it can suit and adapt according to the needs of our people. The PM has taken the initiative, but a lot of other provisions are required to be made to rejuvenate, revitalise and renovate this institution. The indolent and battered bureaucracy is urgently required undergo some drastic changes keeping in mind the contemporary socio-economic and politico- administrative situation of country. We have to ruthlessly trash vestiges from this structure, which is eating up vitals of our system, without fear and affection. Bureaucracy has become inured to miseries of people, therefore it has to be sensitised. We must not forget that there is an intense rancour in masses against the indifferent, lackesaidial and insensible approach of most of civil servants in our country.
The proposed move is plausible, but only cosmetic surgery and its insulation from political interference would not do। Here are some changes would should be made to make Civil Services more sensible, vibrant, accommodative, responsive, responsible and public servant rather than govt servant.

1. The entry into Central Civil Services should be from intermediate level rather than graduation। It would help diminish the chances of entry of huge number of engineers, doctors and professionals including from IITs, IIMs. Civil Services are generalist job and Civil Servants from engineers and doctors community virtually have no use of their studies in this career. Moreover technical education in our country is still highly subsidised and public money is spent on them and in a way when these students enter into Civil Services, the cost incurred on them by government goes futile. It is therefore prudent to discourage such entries. By making Intermediate as entry level into Central Civil Services we can help eradicate this trend.

2. Period in field posting should be enhanced and the officers especially IAS and IPS should have longer years in fields on sub ordinate posts. At present IAS and IPS become DMs and SPs within 3-4 years time and therefore have little experience in grass root level problems. We should not forget that we are not producing Corporate Managers in UPSC; rather we are producing public servants. Longer duration in fields especially in rural areas would enable them to understand Bharat i.e. rural India in much big and better way. IPS officers become SP even less than one year. Thus the posting profile should undergo structural and functional change to make them understand the problem in bigger way.

3. Concept of fixed term is a welcome idea, but it should not be linked with extensions। In fact the very practise of giving extensions to favourite officers has lured the Civil Servants to do act of favouritism in order to win over their political masters. At the same time it discourages officers of next junior batch because it mars their chances of coming to top posts. For instance if the serving Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary or Home Secretary is given extension, the just junior batch officer will be left with no motivation because by the time the officers whose service has been extended would retire, the most of the officers of just junior batch would also retire. The fact of the matter is that the practise of giving extensions have helped germination of resentment and created aberrations also. This practise should therefore be discontinued immediately.

4. These days post retirement assignments are being offered to most of the top bureaucrats। Many retired IAS especially at secretary level in govt of India get assignments immediately after their retirement. Post of CEC, CIC, Member Planning commission, Advisors in different ministries, RBI governor, governors of states, and a host of such posts almost invariably go to retired Civil Servants. There is no denying the fact that officers of huge administrative experience should be tapped for country’s welfare, but such trend helps develop tendency and chances of nepotism, favouritism and other such ‘ism’ which in long run are detrimental and deleterious for our politico-administrative tapestry. Provisions should therefore be made that no officer shall be given post retirement assignment before three years after their retirement. Not only that persons retiring from posts like Judge, CEC, CIC, governor etc should not be given any post whatsoever because it is affecting the system very adversely.

It is happy to see that Civil Services are being insulated from political interference but at the same time it should also be ensured that such immunities are utilised for good of democracy, federalism, welfarism and politico-administrative structure rather than protecting non-performance and lobbyism. Merely providing security in term and conditions may make them more obstinate and non-performing because they still have enough protection in Constitution (Article 311).

ELECTION IN LEBANON; MANDATE FOR OBAMA

source warpost.blogspot.
LET THE FLOWER FALL INSTEAD OF BOMBS

The war ravaged Middle East country Lebanon went to poll after Obama’s famous Cairo University’s speech and defying the predictions of most of the opinion polls, 14 March alliance of Saad Hariri, son of late Rafik Hariri has won 71 seats in the just concluded elections. Hezbollah on the other hand could bag only 57 seats paving way for its role as an opposition. Many strategists elucidate this victory as success of ‘Obama doctrine’.
The total number of seat in Lebanon Parliament, the Assemblee Nationale is 128 and by winning 71 seats, stage is all set for Saad Hariri to become the next Prime Minister of Lebanon within a couple of days from now. Many experts term this outcome as ‘surprise election result’ because the general perception prevailed on the eve of this election was that mandate would be a fractured one and either it would be a hung Parliament or Hezbollah would get a thin majority. The apprehension in international community ran high because victory of Hezbollah which enjoys staunch support from Iran and Syria, would have stirred the direction of politics in the region in different direction. The peace process which got a fresh lease of life with Obama Netanyahu is perhaps the last hope of pressing the reset button. The region can longer afford hostilities as it has already taken heavy toll both economy and life.
The result was taken by pleasant surprise in many parts of the world. The question that is coming to everyone’s mind is that whether this result is an endorsement of Obama’s Middle-East policy or it is simply a transient phase in political cycle of Lebanon?
Obama’s speech is being considered as a milestone in Middle East politics and one cannot deny the possible role of this speech in the outcome of this speech. Undoubtedly Cairo speech marks the beginning of a tectonic shift in America’s established stand on Middle East. Obama’s repeated utterance on the ‘Two State Solution’ has been taken in the Arab world as a major policy change of USA vis-a-vis Lebanon-Israel. Obama categorically stated in this speech that both Israel and Palestine has ‘right of peaceful co-existence’. He also disapproved of Israel’s settlement in Gaza and West Bank which actually sent a wave of applause. It has undoubtedly perturbed Benjamin Netanyahu because bibi Netanyahu is considered a hardliner and his accession was generally not liked by most of the Arab countries. Even the International community also went pessimist with Netanyahu becoming PM of Israel. The drift from American stereotype stand on Israel-Palestine may therefore be a harbinger of peace in the region. Obama has dared to show that he cares and really wants peace process to succeed. His speech has generally taken by Arab world with applause mixed with a little bit of caution plus wait and watch. But, everyone thinks, beginning has been made.
Lebanon has a history of incessant hostilities. It has seen as many wars as any normal country witness in entire history on its civilization. There was a time when people across the world called Beirut as a ‘ghost city’. Quiet recently Lebanon witnessed a fierce war with Israel known as ‘July war’ which continued from 12th July to 14 August, 2006 in which Hezbollah of Lebanon fought against Israeli forces. This war left hundreds of civilian dead and thousand injured. This war razed major part of Lebanon and this country suffered from unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The scars of this devastation are still unhealed and common people of this country, like any other citizen, do want peace and political stability and it seems that Obama has been successful to some extent in instilling some hopes in the state of despair. It is however premature to say that Obama’s one speech has defused the sense of Anti-Americanism in Arab world. Obama has miles to go before he could achieve success in his Middle-East venture. He has to face the hindrance of Jew’s lobby in Congress as well as in US administration. The business community is still dominated by Israelis and they have an indomitable presence in scientist community also. Nonetheless, a good being has been made and the results in Lebanon have definitely shown some sort of endorsement of Obama’s gesture.
This election, though took place in a geographically tiny country, but its political significance would not be confined in its boundary. The ripples of hope would hopefully reach across the continent and avert the clash of civilisation which seems imminent. Thus this election though held in Lebanon, is a mandate of Obama.

रेफोर्म्स इन क्रिमिनल जस्टिस सिस्टम

TIME TO OPEN EYES

Criminal Justice System in India is a British legacy and had been established by the British Govt. The Indian Penal Code, 1860, Indian Evidence Act, 1871 and Criminal procedure Code of 1898 laid down the foundation stone of Criminal Justice System in India. The police force was created to execute and implement the verdict and bring the culprits to book. Police Act was enacted in 1849 last amended in 1861 to make the police force institutionalised. These above mentioned laws marked the beginning of evolution of Criminal Justice System in Modern India.
India became independent and we continued the British legacy. The voice of concerns against police apathy and atrocities gaining strength and it became gradually lauder. With the passage of time the system of governance and priorities of government underwent changes. The welfare state concept, human rights ethos as declared in Universal Declaration of Human rights by the UN on 10th December, 1948 etc necessitated drastic changes in the prevailing and exiting monolith structure of Criminal Justice System in our country.
The Criminal Justice System includes two aspect of Justice-
1. Police. 2. Judiciary
POLICE- Police being the most important and most visible part of Criminal Justice System, it was required to be revamped. The vestiges of British legacies were sought to be done away with by making it more people’s friendly, more responsive and more responsible. To achieve this desired goal and reform the structure one National Police Commission was constituted in 1977 by Ministry of Home affairs which gave recommendation on Police reforms.
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION-(1977-81) This commission was set up on 15 November, 1977 headed by Dharam Vira ICS, The commission gave as many as 8(eight) recommendation, last was submitted in 1981. Unfortunately none of the recommendations were implemented by any state. Important recommendation of this commission are-
· Police complaint Board as state level
· Posting of DGP from panel prepared by a committee comprising of UPSC chairman, CS and officers of MOH
· State security commission
· Gram Nyayalaya ( village courts)
· DGP would chose SPs and SPs would choose SHOs.
· APP& Additional PP on regular basis.
· Cadre of investigating officers should be increased.
· Directorate of Prosecution at state level and Deputy Director at regional level.
· Police stations as whole and compact unit (catering to all needs like traffic, Law and Order, Crime etc.
· Urban areas should have exclusive police stations.
· 150 sq KM should have one PS in rural areas
Unfortunately none except Sikkim implemented all such recommendation.
Prakash Singh retired IPS filed a petition in the Apex court and Supreme Court in its judgement (Writ Petition 310/1996) passed order on 11 January 2007. It has now become the guiding principle of police reforms in India.
The main points of judgement is as follows-
1. Establishment of a National Security Commission- this was for the Union Govt.
2. Establishment of a State Security Commission- this direction was for the State govt.
3. Selection of DGP from a panel and its fixation of tenure.
4. Minimum tenure of IGP to other field level officers.
5. Separation of Law and Order from investigation.
6. Police establishment board.
7. Constitution of Complaint Authority.
In pursuance of the above direction Government of Bihar enacted Bihar Police Act, 2007 in the year 2007 and repealed the relevant part of provisions of Police Act, 1861. State of Bihar took lead in this direction and incorporated some of the directions given by the Supreme Court. In section 59 of the act, the police department at district level has been made answerable to district complaint authority. Keeping in view of the spirit of judgment delivered by the apex court in Prakash Singh v/s Union of India, a civil officer, the district magistrate has been made chairman of this complaint authority.
The Act has yet not been fully enforced in the sense that till date Rules to this effect has not been framed. Section 94 of the Act empowers the Govt to frame Rules; non framing thereto has hampered the enforcement of this Act.

REFORMS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (JUDICIAL SIDE)
The first serious attempt was made in 2000 when Ministry of Home affairs constituted a committee on 24 November, 2000 under the chairmanship of Justice V.S. Mallimath, retired Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court and Kerala High Courts. Eminent legal luminaries like Chairman CAT, Member of NHRC were made members of this committee which is popularly known as MALLIMATH COMMITTEE.
TERMS OF REFERENCES-
· Suggest fundamental principle of Criminal Jurisprudence.
· Need to rewrite Criminal Procedure Code, Indian Penal Code, IEA etc
· Simplifying procedure for dispensation of speedy justice and simplifying complications in Criminal jurisprudence.
· Suggest ways and means developing synergy among Police, Judiciary, and Prosecution.
· Concept of federal crime in List I of seventh schedule so that heinous crimes can be removed from state list and bought to Union list I( article 246 of Indian Constitution)
Recommendations of Malimath committee-

1- Striking a balance between adversarial and inquisitorial system of investigation. The latter being supervised by a judicial magistrate.
2- Restriction to right to silence. This fundamental right is enshrined in Article 22 (3) of constitution which confers the accused the right to keep mum in eliciting information to a prosecution during examination.
3- Justice to victims. Present day criminal jurisprudence is based on the concept of awarding punishment to a accused to other than providing relief and succour to the victims. Committee recommended for awarding adequate compensation to the victims apart from awarding punishments only.
4- Separation of investigation and law and order wing of the police on line of NPC.
5- Special legislations to be enacted for organized crime, economic offences, Terrorism and low intensity war.
6- Concept of Federal Crime to be inserted Criminal jurisprudence and should be brought in list I of schedule VII in Article 246 on Indian Constitution on lines of America.
FADE OF MALIMATH COMMITTE’S RECOMENDATION –
Like many other recommendations of numerous committee and commission, 158 recommendations of this committee also mat the same fade। Majority of the recommendations have been thrown into the dust bins. Bihar is one such state which has partially acted on lines of these recommendations and has in acted Bihar Police Act 2007 repealing some of the out dated, vestigial and obsolete provisions of Police Act 1861.

MAJOR CHALLANGES FACING INDIAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM –
1। Huge pendency of cases (3, 63, 36,000) in different courts.

2। Inordinate delay in disposal of cases.

3। Ill –prioritisation of cases. The listing of cases are still done, despite computerisation , in most unscientific and non transparent manner

4। The quality and quantity of judgement are affected not by quality of judgement rather than personalities of the lawyers. Jungle of rulings has swallowed the bare Acts Codes.

5। Appointment procedures of High Court and Supreme Court Judges are not institutionalised (Advocate on record versus Union of India case in 1994 Supreme Court of India)

6. The impeachment procedure of High Court and Supreme Court Judges is arduous and complicated. This has led to development of an idea that judges can never be sacked. (The case of Justice Soumitra Sen, the judge of Calcutta High Court is still to be taken up in the Parliament.

National Food Security; challenges before the New Government.

MEN AT WORK; A SILENT REVOLUTION TAKING PLACE

Among many other challenges posed before the new UPA government, providing food security to all undernourished and mal nourished population is the most challenging and herculean one. Why is this challenge so huge? Why can this problem not be deferred? These are the questions which will meet answers in the report released by UNICEF only a couple days ago.
The latest report of UNICEF on hunger in South Asia is shame on humanity not because we have not been able to eradicate poverty and hunger from this region; but due to glaring paradoxes in which prosperity, growth, buoyancy in financial markets, increase in number of HNIs and other indices of growth on the one hand and poverty, hunger, malnutrition and child deaths exist side by side. It is disdainful and no civilised country can give political and economic sophistry whatsoever to downplay or decouple it from progress and development. How can a Nation move in which billions of population is in thrall of abject poverty and abhorrable hunger?
The report says that hunger in South Asia has reached to highest level in 40 years due to global financial crisis (GFC) leading to rise in prices of fuel, food and fodder. India did not fall incidentally in the trap of hunger and poverty; but it has been under this labyrinth for many years despite spectacular robust economic performance in almost all sectors of economy including agriculture. It is ironical that in spite of bumper food grains production in successive years, the food security situation has not improved significantly. We had reports when people die for want of food in Kalahndi, Balangir and Koraput areas (KBK) in state of Orissa despite food grains in FCI go-downs and warehouses were decomposing and decaying. What a travesty!
The report says the region would witness 100 million people going to bed without food; worst among the countries are Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. India is not an exception, the report laments.
Only a few months ago, a comprehensive report was prepared by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and World Food Programme (WFP) on hunger and food security in India. This report has said that about 40 billion population i.e. 1/3rd of the population suffer from energy deficiency due to mal or under nutrition in India. This report made startling revelation that about 40% of the children below 5 years of age are under nourished and about 27% of the world’s undernourished population live in India which stands at 94th rank on Global Hunger Index in 2001.
Even according to the FAO, number of hungry people in India has increased by 19 million between1991 to 2001. Nearly half the children are chronically malnourished. According to NSSO about 1/3rd or 200 million rural Indian populations spend only 12 rupees/ a day and consume only 12 kilograms of cereals per month. Situation of Urban poor is also not better.
Under the above mentioned grim scenario, the proposed National Food Security Act is a commendable initiative of government। This law would hopefully realise dreams of Mahatma Gandhi to provide food to every human, a goal that was inserted and enshrined in Constitution of India as Right to life (Article-21) sixty years ago. The proposed legislation seeks to provide access to sufficient food to the deprived section of society by making provision therein to provide 25 Kilo Grams of wheat or rice per month at a subsidised rate of Rs/-3 rupees/ Kg to the families living below poverty line (BPL). This legislation is perhaps the first of its kind after NREGA. After nearly huge success of NREGA, both in terms of providing employments and public spending, hopes of successful execution of this proposed legislation are also running high. According to reports and figures of Ministry of RD, about 460 crore man days employment have been created with Rs/-35,000 Crore expenditure under NREGS across the states in India. It is a consolable figure even if sporadic instances of corruption and pilferages are taken into account. Mechanism of social audit needs to be strengthened and people’s participation into these schemes can further be encouraged. This programme is all set to bring a social and economic revolution in rural India; a concept which has gained appreciation in countries like USA, UK and host of others.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT, A HUGE SUCCESS- when NREGA was enacted, many Neocons were pessimist about its implementation। But when it was implemented in February 2005 in as many as 200 districts in Phase-I (one) across Nation, it started giving encouraging results and some states did exceeding well. Within years of its execution, rural population in some states socked desired level of benefits. The benefits have started percolating down slowly but steadily. Nonetheless a lot more is required to be done to make in more result oriented and successful.

१. The payment mode of wage component in the scheme needs to be made less complicated and time consuming. At the same time wage should be hiked and should not be linked with minimum wages Act or any other such law which regulate wage size.
·२.The assets which are sought to be created in due course of work done in this scheme should be reoriented and reshaped. Many a times such types of schemes are selected which are of little or no use at all. More expertise are required to be involved at gram Panchayat level to select more useful schemes which will both create employment and assets.
३.Social audit of NREGS are required to be institutionalise and made effective. The use of Right To Information Act (RTI), 2005 can be of immense use.
४.The proposed National Food Security Act should be synergised with NREGS so that a composite and comprehensive programme is evolved which in turn help fight hunger and poverty.
५.NREGS is a rural employment and job guarantee scheme and is confined to rural areas only, but the hunger and unemployment in urban areas are also grim and gloomy. It is therefore desirable on part of the government to enact similar law for urban areas also. The National Food Security Act should be made applicable in urban areas also. If this law is implemented effectively can be a land mark in the economic, constitutional and social-political history of India.
Hopefully the government would undertake this challenge in positive and unflinching resolve and implement this law to eradicate the blot of hunger and poverty for ever from this country once for all. The flagship schemes of government of India have paid dividends in the period of crisis. It seems that Keynesian theory has worked here; of course Indianised version of Keynesian theory. Hopefully India would perhaps pioneer the world by giving an alternate model of economy.

RACIST ATTACKS; WHY INDIANS ONLY?

IS THIS A SIGN OF CULTURAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL SUPERIORITY?
The recent attacks on Indian students studying in Australia have attracted global attention. This rabid cultural and racial menace has attracted worldwide condemnation. One Sravan Kumar Theerthala was hit with Petrol bottles by some unidentified teens while he was reading book in his house at Melbourne. Balbjinder Singh another student from India studying in Melbourne was robbed and stabbed in his abdomen. Both are struggling for life in hospitals. Sravan’s condition is reported to be very critical, he is still in coma. In a separate incident, four students were attacked and burgled by racist elements in Australia. One Suketu Modi, a businessman from Surat was attacked in train by a group of students when he had gone there for IT business. According to student’s organisations, these racist attacks have been taking place in Australia for quite some time; most of them went unreported. According to one report about 20 racial attacks on Indian have taken place in Sydney alone previous month.
Australia interestingly is not the sole country where rabid faces of racism have been raising heads. Such dastardly incidents have been taking place in countries like UK, Germany, France and some African and Gulf countries also.
This incident has raised very perturbing question which every one of us would like to ponder about and like to find consolable if not acceptable answers.
REASONS OF SUCH ATTACKS-It is too a simplistic proposition to categorically brand them as acts of criminal or opportunistic activities as uttered by Australian High Commissioner and DCP Melbourne, John McCarthy, HC has however not denied that some racist elements might have been involved in what he called Shameful criminal acts.
If not the Global society, Indian civil society must quest reasons behind it; after all why Indians are being attacked everywhere? It seems that the existence of these vestigial racial elements even in cultural plural societies does have other hidden reasons apart from ostensible causes. Chagrin does not prevail in Australia; and even Australian media lamented only after vociferous diplomatic and societal protests at home.
• ECONOMIC- India has written stories of astounding success in economic fields; thanks to flooded brilliant young brains in fields of science and technology, management and other frontier areas. Our IITs, IIMs, and plethora of Business and other schools have produced best brains in the world. The campus selections by MNCs and TNCs over a couple of decades have caused many concerns to the students of those countries which have destinations of our ‘smart English speaking IT-BPO guys’ for obvious reasons. If is felt by many of them that their job opportunities are being eaten up by Indians. Many guys working in MNCs and TNCs in countries like USA, UK, Australia, Germany and a host of other such developed countries have faced similar acts of discrimination. Many of such incidents go unreported for simple reason; as to the victims have to run from pillar to post once FIR is registered. Student community particularly do not like to be involved in legal wrangles, because they think that they have come here not to fight legal battle but to complete their studies and make careers. They are also tormented by the lackesaidial, callous and sometimes, nocent attitude of Police. For instance in Australia, Police did not act till the matter was blown out of their capacity to hold. According to Forbes; about 13 billion USD is spent by Indian students abroad annually. Australia alone has a 15.5 billion dollar business with foreign students and as many as 1 lakh Indian students study in Australian at present. According to one estimate about 8.3 lakh Indian students are studying in countries like USA, UK, USSR, France, Australia etc. Needless to say that those going abroad for higher studies belong to affluent class of society. The number of HNI in India has swelled for some years. Like many other areas, the lopsided development in the field of education has created a dangerous in-equilibrium. The affluence of these students studying abroad or working guys who earns handsome salaries in MNCs betrays in their life styles and attracts opportunistic activities by teens who have been already suffering from a sense of inferiority complexes. These complexes find expression in such opportunistic acts blended with racism.
• SOCIOLOGICAL AND EDUCATIONAL- With the passage of time, the colonies have gained independence from colonial powers. The European Countries are finding their erstwhile colonies rubbing shoulders in gatherings at International forums. The sense of hatred which had these centuries been harbouring unconsciously precipitates in their mind and find expression in such abhorrable acts of racial attacks. History has tought us to be proud of our past. Their past had been excellent but future is full of intense competition which extra-individualism . In the present global financial regime, every one, may it be individual or Nation has to find a place for itself not on the basis of its past but on the basis of its present. The economic hegemony of USA is all set to nosedive. The American Tsardom in financial market is likely to over. The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has bashed US, the pain of which is still emanating. Asian giant China has purchased 1.3 trillion USD worth US treasury bills, a sense of chagrin prevails in USA, what a travesty; once lender has become borrower. The Chinese export juggernaut into USA has changed the entire economic power structure. Protectionist measures taken by USA and host of developed nations have these social and psychological dimensions also. The sense of frustration is obvious in younger minds because their economic future is not as secure as it had been decades ago.
There is no denying the fact that economic development in India has changed our life styles and cultural traits to a great extent, still then our social, family, and religious ethos which have deep roots, have not eroded to the extent of disappearance. Religious tolerance and non-violence are still way of our lives. When our boys go abroad we preach them to be adherent to these ethos. In spite of state of attacks, Students in Australia have decided to take out a Peace March rather than taking to streets. Normally such incidents meet violent backlashes. But the kind of restraint which has been showed by Indians in Australia and abroad is suggestive of the fact that ethos of Non-Violence and Satyagraha are still alive in our soul and these preaching of Mahatma Gandhi are inculcated in our way of life.
These characteristics of ours have been taken by many a Nations as timidity and cowardice. After all what explains when two teen attacked four students and went un-retaliated, physically they could have not only been overpowered but thrashed also.
Progress and affluence of students studying abroad do manifest in their lifestyles which tempt these racist elements to attack which serve twin purpose; on the one hand these snatch something from them and on the other it satiates their hidden desire of inferiority complex.

• ROLE OF EMBASSIES- the role of embassies in this regard have particularly been callous. According to reports available in public domain, hundreds of such attacks have taken place on Indian students in different parts of world. When the students approach to authorities in embassies, they are treated with callous and cool attitude. This has emboldened the morale of such lumpen elements who are indulged in acts of such vandalism and at the same time, it leaves students at the mercy of their fate. In this case also, Indian Embassy could take up the issue only after matter was reported in Indian media and PM and MEA Minister talked to Kelvin Rudd and Julia Gillard in strongest possible diplomatic over tune and conveyed their frowning over the issue. This approach of our diplomatic babus needs to be changed.
To sum up, we can say that these incidents are rooted in sociological, economic, historical and ethical soil of developed cultural plural societies. The lasting and amicable solution therefore can only be found in the roots and not in stems.

SRI LANK AFTER LTTE

WAR BRINGS DESTRUCTIONS ONLY;HELP HUMANITY TO SURVIVE

Sri Lanka has won the war against the Tamil Tigers with unflinching resolve. The 26 years of bloody, devastating and ruinous war hopefully has come to an end; though after paying a heavy cost in terms of life, property and sentiments. The kind of transformation which the tiny Island Nation underwent over few years is spectacular. An Army which was hopelessly nothing more than a police force, ill-equipped and ill trained had been fighting a suicidal war at least in the initial period after the Indo- Sri Lankan accord was raven and LTTE went in intense rancour over the entire issue.
The seemingly unending war did not obliterate Sri Lankan resolve to fight back and the government did show stoic courage to reorganise and annihilate the demons. Astoundingly they did and ensconced LTTE were not only uprooted but finished. The whole world Including India watched some howled but Sri Lankans were crowing over victory. Sri Lanka has won the war but it has to win hearts and minds of Tamils now.
The victory however does not mean end of problems and hostilities. The demography of this sea locked nation is heavily slated toward Singhalese which constitute 74% of the total population. Sri Lankan Tamil constitute 12.6% whereas Indian Tamils and Muslims are 5.5% and 5% respectively. The war is definitely over, but the issue is still unresolved.
The ethnic issue was very much alive but was in hibernation even before Sri Lank became independent in February, 1948। After Independence the issue came to fore and non-Redressal led to reopening and ripening of this issue. The Tamil sentiments got inured due to persistence of an idea in which hardliner Singhalese group believed that there should be a Singhalese hegemony over the Tamil minorities. Gradually the counter theory germinated that Tamils should have a separate Tamil Eelam state. In this backdrop, the concept of peaceful coexistence got gradually blurred and seeds of hatred gradually germinated.

POST WAR TASKS- The war has left Sri Lank with scars of economic destruction, emotional trauma, ruined hopes and shattered dreams. The Government has how a huge, if not insurmountable responsibilities of picking the rubbles and debris, knitting the nest and rehabilitating the Tamils. There are more than 2, 50,000 internal displace persons, the IDP who is to be fed and attended. The numbers of seriously physically injured persons are uncountable who have to be hospitalised and medical treatment have to be given. The northern and eastern part of Sri Lanka is in rubbles, roads, hospitals, houses, churches, temples, schools and everything have been ruined and turned into debris. It has to be reconstructed without any inordinate delay. The Government can no longer afford euphoria and recalcitrant attitude towards it.
The tattered Island is in desperate need of huge international aid both in terms of cash and kind. Hopefully the international community especially USA and Western countries would extend generous helping hand to see that Sri Lanka is taken out this catastrophe. The magnitude of destruction would probably be not less than those in Iraq and Afghanistan; therefore it requires assistance of that magnitude. The western hypocrisy is also under watch in the sense that whether it really is concerned or it is nothing but a drawing room ideology of crying howl for human rights violations. It is high time for the West to show that it really cares.
Mahindra Rajapaksha may make start from where the recompilation effort was shunned, yes it is the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lanka Constitution made in 1987। This was a landmark in the history of Tamil ethnic agitation in Sri Lanka. For the first time, a serious effort was sought to be made through this amendment which got President’s nod on 14/11/87. Tamil language was given status of official language and English language was made a link language. It also provided for establishment of Provincial Councils and devolution of some powers into them. Although it was not a big and heartening constitutional package for the Tamils because by now the concept of a separate Tamil Eelam had crystallised and Tamil tiger had taken to jungles, the importance of this step cannot be trivialised. Mahindra had to pick up the thread from here itself and proceed further. Only constitutional package is not going to do and work. The wounds of Tamil civilians have to be healed by application of ointment of oneness blended with emotional tinge. The relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work have to be started with utmost precision and fineness. Any apathy or lackesaidial approach would mar the entire process of healing touch.

BRINGING TAMILS IN THE POLITICAL MAINSTREAM- The defeat of Tamil tigers may be pushing hardliners to corners but complacency on part of the political leadership in this regard may give time to the hardliners to realign and spread discontent among the Tamil population which is already passing through a period of unprecedented social, economic, psychic and political turmoil. The process of economic reconstruction and political solution should go side by side; or else the initial euphoria may burst like bubbles. The sky soaring confidence of the government and the Sri Lankan Army should be channelized to positive and constructive direction.
Fortunately the Tamil hardliners in India have also been marginalised in the just concluded general parliamentary elections and Sonia, the widow of Rajiv Gandhi, who was mercilessly killed by LTTE suicidal women cadre, has emerged all pervasive and unquestioned leader of the UPA Government at centre. It was a happy coincident that when Sonia and congress were celebrating victory after the announcement of poll results, the death of V. Prabhakaran broke on TV and other electronic media. The emphatic victory of congress led by Dr Man Mohan Singh has fuelled the political environment with optimism and hope.
This historic opportunity may be properly utilised so that lasting solution and lasting peace are resorted in the strife torn island. India has pledged to give Rs/500 crore to Sri Lanka for undertaking reconstruction work. This good will gesture could be utilised with mutual consultation and India should very attentively and cautiously extend helping hand to Sri Lanka; otherwise any mishandling or overly action on part of India may be interpreted as an undue interference in the in internal matters of Sri Lanka. Hopefully at least one country of among our neighbours returns to peace and tranquillity.

SRI LANKA'S VICTORY;LESSON FOR WORLD

                            END OF LTTE AND ADVENT OF NEW

                                         DAWN IN SRILANKA

 LTTE Chief’s death marked the end of 26 years long war of Sri Lankan Army with LTTE. In other words we can say that Sri Lanka has won the Military war against world’s more powerful, organized and deadly terrorist organization, the LTTE. The dead body of LTTE Chief Virupillai Prabhakaran has been identified by the Lankan Army, the video footage of which has been shown on the electronic media to the world giving a message that they have the caliber to win and courage to fight unto death.

 

The victory has unfolded many success stories of Sri Lankan army and many such stories would be authored in the years to come in their glory. The last couple of months had been particularly very tough and challenging for the Sri Lanka in view of the growing concerns of international community about the alleged gross human rights violations by the army. The huge exodus of Tamil civilians from the war zones had has been a matter of serious concern for the government as well as international aid agencies like UNHCR and International Red Cross Society. The exact number of causalities during the 26 years of incessant war including deaths in the fresh offensive from January, 2009 would never be known, but time would help heal this wound soon, provided the Tamil problem is solved within the frame work of Sri Lankan territorial integrity and sovereignty.

 

The war fought by the Lankan army is a lesson for every Nation which is facing the problem of Terrorism including India. It is also a lesson for West and particularly America who is still to win and bring the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan-Pakistan to a logical conclusion.

 

The 2^nd Gulf war started   some ten years back by Barrack Obama’s predecessor George Bush is yet to be won even when Saddam is dead and the country is ruined. 9/11 humiliated America and it fought back with skirmish. Afghanistan under Taliban was attacked by USA under the false banner of NATO and forcibly retrieved consent of UN. The Taliban were deposed and Mullah Md Omar was dethroned. Initially USA thought that the war is over and it would show to the world that the America cares for the third world. It started so called reconstruction of Afghanistan, a task that will never be finished. The war against Omar and Osama-bin-Laden, the Al-Qaeda chief was termed as ‘Global War against Terror’. The USA undoubtedly the best and most powerful armed forces in the world with unmatched fighter planes, most lethal artilleries, heavily protected armored vehicles most sophisticated anti-terror equipments and other weapons blended with world’s best trained marines have yet to kill either Osama or Mullah Muhammad Omar. The ongoing seemingly unending war in Afpak territory is being fought with following military strengths-

There are 38,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, including three combat brigades and non-combat troops. Their numbers were bolstered by the recent arrival of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the Army's 10th Mountain Division, which has begun operating in eastern part of Afghanistan. There shall be additional deployment of 17,000 troops, as assured by Obama in his maiden Presidential speech. A force of 8,000 Marines, consisting of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade was further reinforced in Afghanistan. All the NATO countries are engaged in this war in one way or the other but What to talk of victory, Americans have yet to see Osama and Omar physically. They have so far failed to trace their hideouts and movements. The American army has been thoroughly demoralized when Taliban took Swat, Buner in Malakhand, Mingora etc under its suzerainty and posed an existential threat to Pakistan. 

One the other hand, Sri Lanka, with a meager total numerical strength of 1, 70,000 troops has been fighting against LTTE, one of the most organized and well trained terrorist organization which has been banned in as many as 32 countries for the last 26 years without any moral and material support of International community. In fact the international community including America influenced UN has always castigated and demoralized Sri Lanka on this issue. If the comparison is drawn between Al-Qaeda and Taliban on the one hand and LTTE on the other, it can be easily understood that LTTE is the most modern, well organized and hierarchical on lines of Military structure of modern state, disciplined and most committed, whereas; Al-Qaeda and Taliban are ill trained, less organized and ill disciplined. In fact the duo is more a militia that anything else inculcated with medieval cultural and military ethos.

Is it not very surprising to see that the world’s best army is not able to defeat the medieval band of mercenary militia?

The victory of Sri Lankan army over LTTE has necessitated USA to rethink over its war techniques and strategy of military operation against Al-Qaeda and Taliban. It is well said that success has many fathers and failures have only orphans. The international community which had been criticizing the Sri Lankan government over alleged human rights violations have now extending congratulations on the killing of Prabhakaran. The public jubilations in Sri Lanka is such that when Miliband, the Foreign Minister of UK criticized Sri Lanka for its alleged atrocities, he was burn in effigies. The international communities especially the West including American have to understand that protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity are the inalienable and non negotiable rights of and Independent Nation.  India must learn a lesson that a half hearted fight against Terrorism is like injuring a poisonous snake and letting it prepare to a fresh offensive, obviously which is more lethal and dangerous. We will have to re-think our Kashmir Policy and our strategy of fight against Terrorism. The political commitment and unshaken rocky resolve to uproot terrorism is the unfinished task of our successive governments. Amongst the priorities of the new UPA government should also be to crush the terrorists and terrorism in all its form. Let the world shed its crocodile tears, after all if the Nation itself is at stake who and why does one talk about diplomacy, human rights and international communities’ criticism and pressure. If Sri Lankan why not me .

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES

REMINDS US ABOUT MEDIEVAL TIMES ATROCITIES

The south Asia has suddenly turned into war zones and condition of human rights has been gradually deteriorating. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tibet etc are passing through tough weather with respect to human rights violations. The developments in these countries are posing and exerting enormous social stress on political fabric. The deteriorating situations in the neighbouring countries are bound to affect India from so many angles.
PAKISTAN- Taliban and Pakistan Army’s clash in Swat, Buner, Mingora, shagala and Dir has worsened the conditions in the war torn areas. The UNHCR, the international aid agency has reported that about 7 lakh population have so far taken shelter in the relief camps. Hundreds of thousands refugees are on exodus from the strife torn areas. The fighting has intensified after Zardari’s return from America. He has been rebuffed in Washington for his government’s lackesaidial attitude towards the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The Pakistani President had to give assurance to the US administration that his government would leave no stone unturned to see that Taliban is repulsed and areas are cleared of Taliban. With the Gilani’s unambiguous order to the army that Taliban be killed and areas be cleared, the fighting has intensified. The regular shelling by Air force helicopters on civilian areas has increased the causalities to large numbers. The Taliban on the other hand has also enhanced its offensive. The common citizens are grinding amidst these fighting. The exodus from the strife torn area is increasing alarmingly and the authorities are not able to cope up with this huge problem. Reports suggest that this is perhaps the biggest ever exodus and the number of internal displaced persons (IDP) is higher than that of the 1947 and 1971 partition.
The scenes of exodus by trucks, cars, horse cart, bullock cart, donkey and foot reminds the horrifying memories of infamous Indo-Pak partition of 1947. Swat, the epicentre of fighting, has turned into a ghost town where dead bodies are decaying and rotten corpses are being dinned by scavengers making the humanity to weep. The relief camps lack basic amenities and even proper medical and sanitation facilities are not available. People are dying for want of food and proper medical attention. The conditions of old, children and women are much more pitiable.
The aerial bombing by the Pakistani army without prior evacuation has inflicted untold miseries on the poor civilians. They are angrier against the army than the Taliban itself. The imposition of indefinite curfew in Mingora, Swat, Dir and many areas of Malakhand division has been preventing people from fleeing from such areas. They are thus made to die and suffer. There is huge shortage and scarcity of ration and people would start dying within a couple of weeks from now if the situation is not improved and supply line is not restored in the war and strife torn areas.

The conditions in the relief camps are pathetic and horrifying. Even the officials of UNHCR are very much concerned about the human tide and massive influx of the refugees coming to the camps. High commissioner of UNHCR Antonio Guterres after visiting one Yar Hussain Camp, said the refugees in Pakistan need massive international humanitarian aid, otherwise, he said, there shall be huge loss of life. The unprecedented humanitarian tragedy is looming large over these areas.
The Talban has destroyed everything in the affected areas, school, hospital, bridges, houses, roads, drinking water pipes etc leading to untold sufferings of masses। The common people are suffering both at the hands of terrorists and army. There are large scale human rights violations. The condition of women and girls are particularly bad. Public flogging, stoning to death, whipping in public, shooting down by firing squads, beheading etc are the common place in many areas in Pakistan which reminds the horrible scenes of medieval times. The war ravaged country is moving towards a catastrophe where the public are large are subjected to all sorts of humiliation and torture.

AFGHANISTAN-The human right condition in this war ravaged country is far from satisfaction. 9/11 terrorists attack on USA was a land mark in the history of terrorism in the world. The USA attacked Afghanistan and threw Taliban. Hamid Karzai, a western educated Pashtu was be-seated at Kabul to run the government. America led NATO forces in Afghanistan is still fighting a seemingly unending war. The killing of hundreds of NATO forces and hundreds of thousands of civilians in this country has also not led to improvement in the situation. The number of causalities, both military and civilian is increasing by leaps and bounds. Pentagon reports that death of staff Sgt. Matthew D. Blaskowski was the 500th death of American troops since ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ began on 7th October, 2001. According to New York Times, 510 have occurred in Afghanistan or are directly linked to the war there. The number of deaths of civilians both in Military operations and suicidal attacks including those by the Talban is unknown and unconfirmed.
Even the Presidential Palace in fortified Kabul is not safe. Present Obama has also candidly accepted that US is not going to win the war. The human rights violation by Taliban in Afghanistan is not News because it is so frequent and rabid that it horrifies human psyche. The public flogging and beheading by long bearded Taliban local commanders sometimes make us feel as if we are watching some films of horror. But unfortunately there are reports of serious human rights violation by the NATO and American forces. The Bagram air base, some 60 Kilometres away north of Kabul has been converted into a detention centre where large number of prisoners and suspect Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorists are kept. Reports coming to the public domain suggest that alleged suspects are kept here as détentes from as far as South-East Asia and Central Africa. Although it has not gained as notoriety as Guantanamo, it has been converted into torture centre. Event one of the Federal Judges has castigated this centre.
The weak and fragile government running on the money and material support of international community lacks zeal, courage, infrastructure and logistics to come up to the expectations of the common people. The un institutionalised bureaucracy is corrupt to the core and even CIA candidly accepts that about half of the supply to Afghanistan is either plundered by the Talban or Afghan machinery. Surprisingly the Karzai government too promulgated a new ‘Personal Status Law’ which applies only to Shia women. Under the provisions no women is allowed to work, leave her house or receive education without permission from her husband, no wife can refuse sex with her husband. In nut shell women would be subjected to domestic servitude. The provisions were so harsh that in a country like Afghanistan, women staged demonstration against it. The outcry was such that even Obama criticised it as abhorrent. Taliban has vowed to finish off, what they call western civilisation and western mode of life in Islamic countries including Afghanistan. The country is on the verge of extinction; everything seems to have finished except the zeal of common Afghans. The human rights condition in this tattered, pulverised and obliterated country is not now making headlines of western media unfortunately. The geographic and strategic location of Afghanistan is such that these developments are bound to have repercussion on India. The socio-cultural, historical and civilisation knot is so intertwined that we feel sorry for what is happening and what is about to happen here.

SRILANKA- 26 years of fighting for a separate Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka is hopefully coming to an end. Tiger’s spokesperson Pathmanathan has admitted their defeat on a Tamil website. Mahinda Rajapaksha is in jubilant mood and seen kissing the land after his return from Jordan. This may be end of fighting of war but not the end of Tamil problems. The guerrilla war may begin after few years of calm.
The Tamil Tigers, the L.T.T.E. (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) has been fighting with the Sri Lankan government and army one of the fiercest war of the world. The exact number of deaths in this longest war is not known. The recent government forces’ offensive against the Tigers made the human conditions in this strife torn island from bad to worse. Hundreds of thousands of civilians had to flee from the war zones. The United Nations say 7000 civilians were killed and 16,700 were wounded in the fighting from January, 20 to May, 7 2009 only. According to one source about 70000 people have died in the last 26 years of fighting. The shelling by Sri Lankan air force in the areas like North-East Mulliativu, Kilnochi, Chavkachacheri, and areas in Jaffna has taken heavy tolls of both civilians and Tamil Tigers. According to an estimate, about 3700 army and 1500 LTTE men have died here in this phase of war itself.
Mullaitivu was under the control of LTTE since 1996 itself and had been developed as fortress by the Tigers. This was a strategic town because it was vital for supply lines. It was also captured by the army on 25 January this year. Kilinochchi was also captured by the army and the civilians fled this area for an apprehended fighting. The whole town was converted into a ghost town. The Tigers, in a last desperate attempt to thwart government forces’ onslaught erected Human shield in which many lives were lost. In a blatant violation of human rights the government forces reportedly bombarded hospitals also killing hundreds of patients.
The scenes appearing on TV channels, internet and other media are pathetic। The satellite pictures showing hundreds of thousands of civilians fleeing the war zones, some of them trapped in trenches. It is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Well it is true that Terrorism, insurgency, war and fighting cannot go side by side with human rights. But at the same time no civil society can afford to ignore and shut eyes from such dastardly acts of Human rights violations. The UN aid agencies and Red Cross Society have also condemned the blatant violations. The hundreds of thousands of Tamil refugees are on exodus into Indian territories especially in Tamil Nadu exerting tremendous pressure on social and political fabric. UNICEF officials say that initially the number of IDPs were 65,000 but gradually it has swelled up to 2, 50,000 which may increase more. The relief camps are flooded with displaced persons and there is huge shortage of food, drinking water, medicine, and other medical facilities. If massive international help and aid do not reach to this country, the death of large number of people may take place. The humanitarian tragedies do not recognise geographical boundaries and pains of human sufferings cannot remain confine to an ethnic group only. The pains emanating from one part of the world do reach out to other parts and create emotional ripples and political stress. The situation must change and every nation, big or small, powerful or weak, democratic or authoritarian alike must strive to make the world a better place to live.

MYANMAR- Myanmar is also passing through a period of intense humanitarian crisis। The democratically elected leader, Auang San Suu Kyi, of National League For Democracy (NLFD) is still languishing in Jail। The land slide victory of Suu Kyi in 1990 general election in which her party secured more than 82% of the Parliament seats was thwarted by the military Junta। She was denied the power and was put to house arrest। She had already elapsed 13 out of 19 years either in Jails or under house detention।
In an utter disrespect to international community, the Military Junta has not yet started democratic political process. The civilians in this secluded country are denied even the basic political and democratic rights. The world leaders like Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Margret Thatcher, Leach Walesa, Ban ki-moon etc have demanded unconditional release of Ms Suu Kyi but it too went unheeded.
The most terrible storm which struck southern Myanmar in May 2008 took toll of more than 1 Lakh people. It was perhaps the worst humanitarian crisis this country ever faced. The world community tried to extend helping hand to the Burmese people but the Military Junta denied the access to the International Aid agencies. Millions of people died due to utter negligence of the men in power. The pathetic scenes which came through internet and other media clandestinely, stirred the human emotions across the world. The iron curtained Nation is virtually secluded from the world and virtually no news come from here without government’s censor.
Recent episode in which Suu Kyi has been put to trial is also deploring and ridiculous। Reportedly one American swimmer John Yettaw secretly swam across a lake to meet Suu Kyi few days back. The authority terming it as an offence, as what they call was a violation of the conditions of house arrest, arrests Suu Kyi and had put her to trial. In fact the term of Ms Kyi’s house arrest was to expire in the next month and undoubtedly the Junta does not want to release Suu Kyi; therefore they sought a frivolous ground to keep Ms Kyi under arrest for another indefinite period of time. If this charge is proved, she may be awarded 3-5 years imprisonment.

TIBET- The kind of pro-democratic movement erupted spontaneously and abruptly in Tibet just before Beijing Olympic is testimony of the fact that Tibet is sitting over stockpiles of explosives which may detonate anytime and any moment. The Chinese authorities subsequently unleashed a reign to terror against the movement in which hundreds of precious lives were lost. The international appeal to China went unheeded and the authorities went on violating human rights on a massive scale. Tibet’s religious leader Dalai Lama is in exile and has been living in India since 1959. On 19th April, 1959 Dalai Lama established the Tibetan exile administration in the north India hill station of Mussoorie and named it Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) it was moved to Dharamsala in 1960. The fight to make Tibet independent still goes on with hundreds of thousands of Tibetan refugees living and struggling for their democratic cause. Their presence in Indian soil makes China hostile to India and normalisation of the Indo-Chinese relation is still a distant dream. The human rights condition in Tibet is far from satisfaction and the international community including India is losing all hopes in this regard.
NEPAL- The tiny nascent democratic Nepal is all set to witness another upheaval in near future as the newly formed government under Pushapa Kamal Dahal Prachanda fell over integration of PLA into Nepal Army issue. The Constitution has not yet been written and ratified by the Constituent Assembly. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the CPA is running into rough weather and the possibility of Maoists starting again a Jan Andolan, the guerrilla war warfare, cannot be ruled out. That period had witnessed massive bloodshed and human rights violations by both government and Maoists on massive scale therefore any derailment of peace process may lead to arise of similar situations. This would terribly affect our security environment across borders. A new government is set to take over in Nepal under Madhav Nepal without the support of Maoists; therefore the fragile peace in this Himalayan country is likely to run into bad weather conditions. If it happens, another period of hostilities and human rights violation would begin. The social fabric of Nepal is such that many of its threads are spread into Indian society, therefore development of such situation would mar the peace in Indian Territory also, a situation India cannot afford to have at this juncture.
To sum up the whole issue, the socio-political and human rights milieu in our neighbouring countries are dismal and far from normal. In the globalised economy and liberalised society, no country big or small, weak or strong, developed or underdeveloped can remain isolated from what is going on or likely or happen around and across its borders. There is urgent need on the part of the new government to address to these problems and play its vital role of a vibrant and resilient democracy as well as emerging global economic power. We cannot afford to adopt recalcitrant attitude towards such situation in the name of non interference into others domestic affairs.

AFGANISTANISATION OF PAKISTAN?

PLAY WITH FIRE; HOW LONG YOU REMAIN PROTECTED?

The Taliban is advancing and taking control over new areas in Pakistan. The army has so far failed to contain this advance. The Pakistan army’s offensive has not deterred the Taliban. More than 2 lakh people have been displaced from swat valley itself. According to the UN aid agencies more that 3 lakh people have so far been displaced and have taken shelters in relief camps. The situation in swat, Mingora, Buner, Dir and other adjoining area has fast deteriorating due to heavy fighting between heavily armed Taliban and Pakistan Army. Reports suggest that the fighting has intensified after PM Gilani’s order to the army to clear Swat and other areas from Taliban. Taliban has encircled one Police Station in Mingora town and about 140 Police men are trapped and are likely to be killed if army does not yet send reinforcement and repulse the Taliban fighters.

UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond has said in the affected areas that an unprecedented human tragedy is imminent in the area and if humanitarian aid like tents, medicines, food, drinking water etc are not made available, large number of people especially women and children would die. It is necessary that this human tragedy should be averted and the fighting should be brought to a logical conclusion soon. So far as the hope of end of hostilities in these areas is concerned, it is not possible in near future.

President Zardari is in Washington to held dialogue with Barrack Obama and Hamid Karzai, the counterparts of USA and Afghanistan. Zardari had to face some tough and embarrassing questions from both media persons and some senators also. He had to face the question that what he had to say about the alleged nexus between ISI and Militants? He could not give any satisfactory answer to this question. Likely its earlier stereotype stand on India; Zardari orchestrated the same rhyme and said that if India withdraw its forces from North Western border so that he can what he says, deploy more force for tackling the Taliban fighters. Zardari further says that he hopes for improving the relation with India after the general election here. Both justifications sound hollow and do not seem acceptable. The advance of Taliban in areas like Mingora, Shangala, Buner, Dir etc had been going unabated and unchecked for years. The so-called peace agreement reached between Pakistan Taliban and Pak government was a milestone in the history of terrorism in this region. It marked the beginning of consolidation of terrorists in Pakistan in much more big way. It also thoroughly undermined the authority of the government. It was perhaps due to this fact the Taliban’ morale was bolstered to a great extent and it ventured into fresh areas like Migora, Shangala, dir etc and captured them. These areas are still under their suzerainty and the writs of the Pakistan government do not run here. Although the PM has ordered his troops to wage an all out war against the Taliban and flush them out within 24 hours, the possibility of waging such war is remote keeping in mind the history and chemistry of Pakistani forces. The unholy nexus between Pakistani army, ISI and Jihad and terrorist elements in Pakistan is an open secret. The startling disclosure of Dr Abdul Kadir Khan, the father of Islamic Nuclear Bomb, had already exposed the nefarious designs of the Islamic Jihadis including Taliban and Al-Qaeda. In fact this whole episode of Taliban should be conceived in this wider perspective. If this Talibanisation of Pakistan goes unchecked and un-deterred, they would be capturing some vital security and strategic installations also within a couple of weeks from now. Tarbela hydro electric power dam is located not too far from Mingora and Swat. This is the place where some of the nuclear fuel and heavy water of Pakistan are kept. This installation is so strategically important that its capture by the Taliban can give them an access to the nuclear arsenals. The reports, though unconfirmed, but not unsubstantiated, suggest that the technology for an Islamic Nuclear Bomb has some how sneaked into the hands of these elements.
Surprisingly, the USA is not so serious to deal and wipe out this menace as it should be. How can US administration take the assurances of the Pakistan’s President for guaranteed with respect to coming heavily down on the Taliban? Such type of assurances had have been given earlier also but the situation has not improved, in fact it has gone from bad to worse. What a tragedy! Actually the whole diplomatic drama in Washington which Zardari played with Obama and Karzai a couple of days ago was aimed at notching multimillion dollar aid from America. Ironically he succeeded in it also. This time also he successfully befooled the international community including the USA which has recently voted for a change from white President to Black President. Undoubtedly this fund would be utilized for conducting anti-India tirade and military buildup across the LOC once this state manage drama is over.
What a huge disproportionate comparison! After 9/11 US launched full fledged war against Afghanistan to teach Al-Qaeda a lesson, but we have been advised to maintain restrain after Mumbai attack despite the fact that one of the attackers has been captured alive who has admitted candidly before the world of his involvement in the mayhem.
The situation is not going to improve in Pakistan even if Gilani genuinely tries to clear Pakistan from Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The reason is simple. The army or at least major part of the Pakistan Army is contaminated with fundamentalism and the utopian concept of Afghanistanisation of Pakistan and later on Islamisation of the whole world have been indoctrinated into the hearts and minds of the rank and file of Pakistan’s army. America must understand this and should engage itself into Pakistan because the situation here in much more precarious than the Afghanistan itself. If the tattered Government of Pakistan tries to enforce its decree, the army may again stage a coup against the civilian government and it seems Pakistan is heading towards it very fast

DEVELOPMENTS IN NEPAL; LESSONS FOR INDIA

TOO CLOSE TO BE SEPARATED

The infant democracy of Himalayan Kingdom, Nepal, has been put into incubator for supplying oxygen and dosing some more testing medicines to keep it survived. The abrupt resignation of Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda over General Katwal, the Chief of Armed Staff’s issue, has raised many questions which urgently require answers both from domestic political and administrative classes and international community. Some experts believe that Prachanda did it out of sheer political immaturity and he should have waited and bargained a little more before tendering his resignation. But it seems academically naive to think like this. Prachanda who gained huge experience of running Jan Andolan or people’s agitation against monarchy in particular and political establishments in general therefore could not be taken as politically immature personality.
Anyway, the crisis has come and that too in a time when India is limping through its own elections, the result of which is likely to give birth to a fractured mandate in the Parliament।

The birth of democracy in Nepal could be possible after a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the CPA, was signed by Seven Parties Alliance and the Maoists. It was a land mark in the political history of not only of Nepal but of the entire South Asian region in the sense that it was an experiment of electoral politics with Maoism. It was altogether a new concept and nobody even in China had ever thought of it. It was a positive sign and in India also the idea of bringing Naxalites into the electoral politics started gaining grounds.
The wedding of Maoism with Election leads a situation to develop in Nepal and the Monarchy was dismantled and democratic republic came into being. The Peace process was initiated and constituent assembly was voted to existence. UN mission in Nepal, the UNMIN, which oversaw the surrender of Maoists guerrillas, also played a vital role.
The first set back of Prachanda, the supreme leader of Maoists in Nepal came in the elections which were held to constitute the Constituent Assembly। In this election he could secure only 229 out of total 601 seats bagging only 38.1% votes. After initial confusion as to whether Prachanda will like to be PM or President, he finally choose to become the first PM of Nepal and the Presidency went to one Ram Baran Yadav, a madhesi origin of Nepali Congress. Prachanda wanted to integrate his People Liberation Army, the PLA, erstwhile guerrillas, with the Nepali Army. In fact this integration plan had been one of the most important conditions of Prachanda to agree to the CPA. His Plans of integration has been not acceptable to India for obvious political and security reasons. Prachanda’s insistence of this plan smacked the Chinese influence and perhaps due to this reason it was not acceptable to other left wing parties like UML and Communist Party of Nepal ML also. Every one feared of Prachandisation of Nepal Army.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA AND WHAT INDIA SHOULD DO NOW- India cannot remain indifferent to what is going on in the Himalayan region। The developments in this country are certainly going to have strategic, political and security impact on India. India perforce needs to employ a range of diplomatic measures but at the same time should ensure that Nepal or Nepalese should not feel hurt of being interfered with their internal affairs. In fact the naiveté of our political and diplomatic establishments have already done huge damage to our image of being neutral during Jan andolan phase II, after which the Monarchy was thrown out. The Nepalese psyche still feels that India was favouring King Gynendra when public at large was in no mood to spare the King. Why do we fail to understand the public psyche? We sent Dr. Karan Singh as an envoy to Nepal to avert the crisis who was somehow related to the King’s dynasty. It evoked strong reaction amongst the public against India. This time we should avoid playing the game with emotions. Foreign policy should be based on pragmatism rather that idealism. Unfortunately we lose the game even after performing the best while others win without delivering anything. This is the paradox of our foreign policy. We win wars and lose diplomacy. Tashkent and Simla Agreement are the best examples in our diplomatic history.

The Chinese influence on Nepal is perceptible in almost every walk of life. This crisis may provide China more conducive and congenial environment to intrude into the governance and society more intensely than ever before. The Madhesi and Pahari divide of Nepalese civil society is almost vertical. The further intrusion of Chinese would aggravate the situation and thus would make the conditions in Nepal more hostile for India.
The first and foremost task that the political parties are required to do is to form a govt. India may tacitly but silently play a role in achieving this goal. Any mishandling of the situation may snow ball into withdrawal of Prachanda from the CPA. The result of such withdrawal would be catastrophic. The entire peace process may de-rail and the security situation across the Indo-Nepal border would deteriorate. The UNMIN, which has overseen the disarming of PLA, has categorically conveyed its dissatisfaction. The reports suggest that only few thousands of 303 rifles, country made guns, and small number of ammunitions were surrendered. It means that the PLA cadres still has enough arms and ammunitions with them and in case of failure of CPA and their subsequent reversal into jungles for launching agitation, these arms could be used. Development of such type of situation is unaffordable for India; we are already in a war like situation on North-West fronts, thanks to the Talibanisation of areas like Swat and Buner in Pakistan.
The Nepalese leaders on the other hand should concentrate on drafting of the Constitution for the Republic of Nepal, a task that is least attended so far। Reports coming from unconfirmed sources suggest that the drafting of the constitution has not yet begun in the real sense of the term। If the present trend of instability goes unabated, the situation would get out of control and unprecedented political crisis would crop up. India can provide some support on this issue with the consent of the parties in power. We have huge experience on this issue and India can boasts of a sound constitutional foundation. We have galaxy of eminent constitutional luminaries who can be of immense help for them, if their services are solicited.

VIOLENCE IN ELECTION IN BIHAR

IS FEAR OF ECI NON-EXISTENT?

The second phase of polling on 23rd April, 2009 went off but not peacefully as claimed by the election commission. 13 of out all 40 constituency went to polls in the second phase was also marred by violence, incidents of booth capturing and mismanagement on the polling stations.
Naxalites again stroked in Bihar killing 5 security personnel including one Patrolling magistrate named sunil Kumar at Karpori nahar culvert in Deoria PS in Muzaffarpur district of vaishali constituency. The naxalistes had planted landmine in the said culvert which exploded as the vehicle carrying the polling personnel who were returning after the poll crossed the culvert, leaving all the personnel dead and the driver seriously injured.
The state had also witnessed large scale violence during the first phase of poll in which more than 19 persons lost their lives including BSF and state police personnel.
2nd Phase of polls also cannot be said to have passed off smoothly and as many as 287 persons including one sitting MLA have been reportedly arrested, whereas; as many as 27 polling stations went without a single vote casted due to poll boycott due to lack of development in the concerned areas.
From polling percentage also, this phase was not successful and only 44% of the voters could exercise their voting rights. Political and media pundits tag scorching heat as the main reason but the high voter’s turn out in states like naxalites infested Andhra (68%) insurgency infested Assam(62%) and Jharkhand(48%) falsify their claims. The reasons according to many experts are voter’s apathy, apprehension of violence, naxalite’s boycott call and mismanagement on the booths. In many cases polling could not start timely due to non or improper functioning of EVMs. The slow rate of casting of votes due to improper and inadequate training of polling personnel has also been one of the main reasons of low voting percentage in the state.
From security arrangement point of view, this election felt the absence of K.J.Rao, the ex advisor whose name had become synonymous with free and fair election in the previous election especially in Bihar. The situation is such that two phases of polls have passed and ECI (CEC and ECs) did not visit the state. Before both the phases, only Navin Chawla came and did the formalities of holding discussions with the senior police and civil officials. Many of complaints have either been dumped or not properly investigated. The body language of chawla has failed to instil a sense of fear amongst the senior bureaucrats which has resulted in poor and some time biased deployment of police forces including CPMF. Unlike K.J. Rao and previous ECs and CEC, Chawla or for that matter Gopalswamy and other EC did not visit interior areas so that sense of confidence is instilled in the voter, especially vulnerable voters. The theory of ‘Randomisation of CPMF’ for deployment of central Paramilitary forces developed by KJ Rao was also not put into practice. One senior police official admitted on condition of anonymity that the present police set up in the state police head quarters did not repeat this theory because Abhayanad as ADG rank officer was instrumental in this exercise in the previous elections. This acrimony and adoption of non professionalism have resulted in violence. Unfortunately this point has not been highlighted by majority of media.
The situation is such that reportedly in Motihari district about 5000 security personnel kept on waiting for poll duty whole day on the 23rd, the day of poll and they could not be sent to the booths. In the first phase also, the naxalites infested districts like Jammui, Nawadah, Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehandbad etc went without 100% both covering by Police personnel as instructed by ECI. In Gaya, the DGP himself admitted that Home guards were deployed which was clear cut violation of security norms, unfortunately this laxity resulted in tragic death of those home guard. All the arms and ammunitions too were looted from them by the naxalites. In Jammui which went to poll in the first phase also witness large scale violence but majority of CPMF were sitting idle due to non deployment in the booths.
The acrimony in the ECI on the eve of Elections too has manifested in poor show which resulted in the above situation to develop. If the above situation is allowed to go unchecked and un-rectified, the third phase of elections scheduled on 30th April, 2009 may witness more violence both in terms of numbers and intensity.

MAOISM;WHO FUNDS THEM AND HOW TO WEED IT OUT

BRING THEM TO MAINSTREAM AND GIVE THEM THEIR SHARE

The Maoism in its different rabid and dangerous forms is increasing both in strength and territorial expansion. Once germinated in Naxalbari area of West Bengal has now engulfed states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh etc. it has also spread in some areas of Maharashtra and Utter Pradesh also. With passage of time, months and years more and more geographical areas are being infected by this menace. Now the stereotype concept of Maoists living in Jungles has eclipsed and they are now not only residing in plain areas but can and are striking the establishments whenever and wherever they wish.

The question that hounds every body’s mind is that who funds them and why in spite of huge security and intelligence network and establishment, India is not capable of weeding it out. In fact what to talk to wiping it out, it is spreading like a pandemic and no solution is perceptible at least in near future. 

The essay is an attempt to discuss and suggest ways to tackle this menace from politico-administrative angle.

The growing tentacles of Maoism and Extremism in many parts of the country are posing serious threats to Internal Security. One should not confuse this problem with Terrorism. The basic difference between Maoism and Terrorism is that, the former wages war against the ruling class and system but the declared aim is not seceding from the country, whereas; the later threatens the system itself. The aim of the Terrorism is generally to attack on the existence of the state itself, whereas; Maoism’s aim is to attack on the establishment.

The beginning of the Naxal or Maoist movement is traced back to 1967 itself in Naxalbari area of West Bengal. Charu Majumdar is said to be the man who started this movement in India. In Bihar the beginning of this movement is traced back to last 1970s when this movement was started in Mushari Block of Muzaffarpur district. Now this movement is an all India phenomena and has spread its tentacles in states like Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, M.P., Orissa, Jharkhand and many other areas of UP and Maharashtra also. On 13th March, 2006 the then Union Minister for Home, Sri Shiv Raj Patil tabled in Parliament a Status Paper on the problem of Left-wing Extremism i.e. Maoism in India. If one looks at the reports and the figures appended with the report, one can understand very easily the problem of the left-Extremism has assumed an all-India character. According to this official report, which is often deliberately less intensifies; say that 509 Police Stations across 11 States are Maoist-Naxalites infested. It is 5.8% of the total police stations of India. The report further suggest that after the merger of CPML-PW into CPI(Maoist) in September 2004, they are reported to be trying to woo the other splinter groups and have consolidated their front organisations Revolutionary Democratic Front(RDF)to intensify their mass contact programme. Although, this report points out various steps like (a) Modernisation of Police Force (b) Revision of Security Related Expenditure(SRE) in May,2005 (c) Supply of Anti-Land Mine Vehicle (d)Long-term deployment of Para-Military forces (e) India Reserve Battalions etc, the situation is not showing the signs of improvement so far. 

Recent spurt in Maoist attacks both on the civilian and security establishments, in areas like Dantewada in Chhattisgarh, Mehboobnagar in AP, East and West Singhbhum in Jharkhand, Baripada, Kandhmal, Malkangiri etc in Orissa and many places in Bihar are of serious consequences. One DSP rank officer had been killed in a place called Bundu near the Jharkhand State’s capital, Ranchi. Few years back, the Maoists blew Jehenabad District’s Jail in Bihar and set free many jail mates including one Kanu sanyal the hard core Maoist. Such incidents have thoroughly demoralised the security forces to such extent that the police headquarters have withdrew many police pickets from the extremists infested areas. Areas, hitherto unaffected in Bihar have also been brought under its control by the naxalites and Maoists. In recent times, districts like Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, East and West Champaran, Samastipur, Madhubani, Sitamarhi and Sheohar have also been affected by this menace. In Madhuban Police Station of Motihari district, the Maoists attacked the police stations, killed many security personnel, looted the arms and ammunitions, attacked block and banks. The main target was a local MP whose petrol pump was gutted. They also set ablaze the house and business establishment of this leader. In June, 2008, the Maoists blew on block office called ‘tetariya’ in the same district Motihari. In July, 2008, the Maoists blew Laxmipur Block office in Jamui district, incidentally this area is the home town of a central minister. Thus, the Maoists have proved it without a shadow of doubt that they can blew and attack any target any time whenever and wherever they want.

On 3rd July ‘The Hindu’ writes in its editorial about the killing of the anti-naxal force in AP “the murderous attack on Andhra Pradesh anti-naxalite force, the greyhounds, marks a new watershed in Maoist insurgency. This is the first time that as many as 33 Andhra Pradesh security personnel have been killed in a single encounter. The police men evidently walked into a well-laid trap, enticed with false information about a Maoist’s conclave in Malkangiri in Orissa. If the attack was totally unexpected, it was partly because it marked a tactical departure; rather than use of land mines and typical ploy such as ambushes and raids, the Maoists are believed to have employed rocket launchers to hit a launch ferrying the policemen aback “. It is pertinent to mention here that the greyhound was formed in the year 1989 as an elite force to combat naxal-Maoist menace.

MAOIST MENACE AND NEPAL- The success of the Maoists in Nepal has emboldened the morale of the Maoists in India to a great extent. In fact their infamous slogan FROM PASHUPATI SE TIRUPATI TAK is still relevant for them. They claim that now the one end i.e. Pashupati in Nepal has been brought under their control. Many security experts opine that the establishment of a red Government headed by Maoists is going to be a major Internal Security problem in India, whereas; many political observers believe that it is in a way, a positive development in the sense that now, what they feel, the Maoists will joined the political main stream and eschew violence. This is however a proposition which only time will decipher.

FROM WHERE THE MONEY COME TO MAOISTS-

The meteoric rise of these left extremist-Maoist organisations is not only on ideological grounds. They might have been pursuing some ideological principles in the initial phase, but now their main motto is extortion of money and plundering. Reports say that they are eating up the vitals of the developmental funds meant for developmental schemes. These extremists in form of levy take major portion of money meant for execution of Governmental schemes away. That is why these schemes have failed to come up to the expectation of common people. The policy makers, without looking into the ramification of such planning, went on increasing the size of the expenditures. The more money is pumped, the more is plundered. Thus, it has become a vicious circle of corruption, plunder and rise in the power of these elements. Whether it is MCC or PWG or Party Unity or its new name CPI (Maoist), their sole purpose is to extort money and snatch arms and ammunitions from the security forces. According to one estimate, about 70% of the arms of these Maoists belong to the security forces. The attack on the security forces serves the twin purposes. On the one hand, it instils a sense of fear in the common people, so that they follow their dictates and on the other hand, they snatch the arms and ammunitions from them which enhance their strike capabilities. They again use these weapons against the security forces themselves. This is how a unique kind of vicious circle goes on. Unemployment and poverty are the major causes of its spread. I have the first hand experience of these things, when I was posted as Circle Officer, Chandil, in West Singbhum district of the present Jharkhand State in 1996-99. I found here, how the local tribal unemployed youths were recruited by the Maoists in this area. The system had been institutionalised to such an extent, that it was more systematic than the security forces recruitment drives of Government itself. Moreover, such drives are free from corruptions, whereas; rampant corruption mars the Government recruitment drives. The morale of the extremists had emboldened in such a way, that they used pamphlets and posters to advertise such recruitment drive.

Incidentally, I got an opportunity of working as an Executive Magistrate in Raxaul, a bordering town of Birgunj in Nepal. I could understand how the Maoists were spreading their tentacles across the borders. Their call of from pashupati se tirupati tak is being pursued very meticulously and methodically. These Maoist-extremists, after committing crimes could sneak into Nepal very safely. I have seen how the porous border has become heaven for the arms peddlers and drug traffickers. Due to porous and open border the surveillance is very difficult. Initially, the deployment of SSB on this border had helped the situation improve. But, after few years, this force also got contaminated. The situation on this border is far from satisfactory. Now the situation in Nepal has changed drastically. The Monarchy is said goodbye and republic is born. The Maoists have won the election and are likely to form Government. A man of Indian origin Mr. Ram Baran Yadav has been elected as the first President of Republic of Nepal. It is being hoped that the situation in bordering areas would now improve. This new experiment of election with Maoism is believed to be the harbinger of peace in other areas also. It is a right time when we should also strive to create congenial environment to bring Maoists into political process. 

LOCAL SENAS and MAOISTS- Bihar is known for a typical security problem. In many parts of Bihar Maoists have been divided on caste and region lines and have formed so many senas or local armies. The situation becomes more precarious when they fight against each other. Here are some examples of local senas-

1. Ranveer sena- Bhumihar

2. Lorik Sena- Yadav

3. Bhumi sena- kurmi 

4. Search light sena- upper caste etc.

5. Sunlight Sena – Upper caste

These local senas have unleashed a reign of terror in many parts of the state for many years. Over a decade more than thousand people have lost their lives in inter and intra group fighting. Although, these massacres are not of national consequences but undoubtedly, it puts in lots of strain on the security forces. If the Internal Security scenario has to be improved, these tendencies must be checked. There are some infamous massacres here in Bihar which speaks about the horrendousness of the misdeeds of these senas. Bhelchhi massacre, dalelchak- Baghaura in jehanabad, senari massacre, etc. are some of the massacres which have taken thousands of precious lives. They, on the one hand tatter the social fabric and on the other hand it puts in enormous pressure on the security forces. The failure of land-reform measures in this state is said to be the main cause of such problems. But this is a very simplistic interpretation of this problem. Undoubtedly, in the initial years the land-reform measures were the reasons behind these problems, but, gradually it deviated from this stand and took the shape of typical caste organisations. Many political leaders also allegedly got involved into it. The erstwhile Government in Bihar had constituted one commission headed by a retired High Court Judge Mr. Justice Amir Das few years ago. But this commission did not do anything tangible and meaningful. It took nine years and could not come out with any findings and recommendation; therefore, the Government wound it up. Nonetheless, one thing is clear that this state is very sharply divided on caste line politics, because whenever the summons were served on one political person, the fellow caste men used to raise voice against it and thus this entire exercise proved to be worthless and wastage of time and resources. 

WHY DOES THE GOVERNEMENT FAIL TO TACKLE THEM EFFECTIVELY-

1. The biggest problem in tackling this problem lies in the system or the mechanism of our planning making bodies. Surprisingly in most of cases and most of time the problems are conceived and strategies are formulated by the people who do not have firsthand experience of these problems. The high sounding ideologies and stereotype principles are allowed to prevail on the realistic problems. The high sounding policies are formulated and are asked to be implemented by those who do not have any saying in this whole exercise.

2. The local Police Stations across the country have been thoroughly neglected by our strategists who sit in the power echelons. Instead of strengthening our Police stations both in terms of men and resources, we went on creating parallel institutions sometime of conflicting jurisdictions. Constitutionally speaking the subject Law and Order is the state subject, refer Article 246 seventh schedule, and Police Stations are the corner stone of this subject. We have well equipped paramilitary forces but with no legislative and statutory powers and conversely the local police stations are ill equipped but with immense legislative and penal powers. This discrepancy has to be removed but unfortunately we still are going the same path which would lead us to wrong destinations.

3. The Panchayat election of 2005-06 in Bihar is a path breaker example. The provision of 30% reservation for women and 27% reservation for extremely back ward classes i.e. EBC has done miracle here in this state. The Panchayat elections which were held without the help of Paramilitary forces went off almost violence free and only one person was left dead and that too was reportedly unconnected to poll. It gives a clear cut signal, give the people, the common and bereaved people, the power, the real power and make them partner in the governance. Conversely in the ongoing election 19 persons including security personnel have so far lost their lives. Many experts feel that common people in most of the poverty stricken areas do not feel associated with Parliamentary and legislative elections, because common and especially poor people’s chances of fighting in these election on political parties tickets are very bleak whereas; in party less Panchayat elections their involvement in terms of their candidature is much more intense and therefore they enjoy more sense of association in the panchayat elections in comparison with the parliamentary or legislative elections. 

4. Message is clear we will have to make our democratic institutions more democratic in the sense that they do not become the club of some elite families and confined some political personalities. Ensure that more and more poor and downtrodden fight election and win after all the tenet of democracy is for the people, by the people and of the people.