To Do Or Not To

[ROUDRAM]

[size=4]Postponement of decisions has given an image of indecision to the prime minister. After the failure to find a solution to the controversies on division of Andhra Pradesh, Manmohan Singh is now confronted with the demands emerging from the home ministry and from two state governments for the removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act. [/size]

[size=4]The indian army is strongly opposing the demand for removal of these special powers, and Singh is helpless. Politically it would be a wise move to liberate the people in Jammu and Kashmir as well as Manipur from this draconian law, which allows the army to operate against the militants, and removes the powers of the civilian authorities.

It would be a step towards normalisation of the situation in these troubled states, where the special powers act has been in force for decades, and has become a political hot potato. After the controversies over his divorce and the custodial death of a ruling party worker, jammu and kashmir chief minister omar abdullah has taken up the scrapping of the act and tried to whip up public opinion. the horror in Manipur is that for months there is an economic blockade, so that even essential goods are either not available or the prices have sky rocketed. Reports indicate that large majority in Manipur want the law to be scrapped. it would also allow Irom Sharmila, the agitator who is on a fast for over a decade, to accept a glass of juice, and get married.

But the army under its aggressive chief V.K. Singh has put up strong resistance saying it is too premature to take away the protection given to soldiers and officers to fiercely engage terrorists and militants, without worrying about the legal consequences. The army feels the lifting of the act from even some areas would lead to demoralisation. The defence ministry has also gone by the advice of its officers working on the ground.

Yet critics point out that in the areas where Abdullah wants relaxation, the army has not conducted special operations for years, and those areas are with the central paramilitary forces. They point out that the government can start relaxation in a few districts, and watch for its impact on the ground situation. If things are normal, then government could be liberal towards more areas. If there is deterioration, the government could restore the special powers to the army.

Singh will depend on the advice of the important colleagues like defence minister A.K. Antony and home minister P Chidambaram before taking a final decision. Taking a risk is better than allowing the status quo to continue.

Tailpiece: External affairs minister S M Krishna was pleasantly surprised when during his latest visit to Tokyo, he was invited home by Japanese prime minister Yoshiniko Noda. Thrilled with the success of Delhi Metro, Noda offered to help supply superfast bullet trains to Indian railways. The Japanese officials even explained how bullet trains would reduce travelling distance to Bangalore, Krishna's home city.[/size]
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[Maximus]