Chinese game plan

Soldiers are risking their lives daily to fight terrorists and their supporters in J&K and Nagaland. If civilians travelling in a vehicle do not stop when soldiers order them to, they are justified in opening fire. The civilians were guilty and could have been supporting terrorists. Why did the Home Minister not constitute an SIT during the farmers’ agitation and the deaths that followed, as has been ordered against the soldiers in Nagaland? Any illogical and unwarranted action against the soldiers will adversely affect their morale. This is a game plan of China which is actively supporting and funding terrorist organisations and such incidents are engineered to create hatred against the defence forces engaged in counter-insurgency operation, and destabilise the area with politically motivated incidents.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Mohali

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Ensure justice

The Army operation that resulted in the death of 14 civilians in Nagaland should lead to quick and credible investigation so that justice is done. It is established that the commandos acted on faulty intelligence, but no wrong information can justify the deaths of innocent citizens. The fact that those miners were non-combatants has to be the driving point of both the Army’s Court of Inquiry and the SIT probe. Past inquiries haven’t inspired confidence as no soldier operating under AFSPA has been charged for killing civilians. The draconian law continues in Nagaland. With Myanmar reverting to a military junta, refugees and weapons have started flowing into the Northeast. This gives insurgent groups who are unwilling to join the peace process elbow room to manoeuvre.

PS HANSPAUL, by mail

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Civilian deaths

It is unfortunate that the horrific death of 14 civilians in Nagaland occurred following a botched Army operation. This incident may be attributed as an outcome of impunity accorded by AFSPA. The ‘normalcy narrative’ in J&K of the government was punctured following the unfortunate civilian killings in the Valley. India has already earned criticism globally for this draconian Act. Looking at the gravity of the situation, the Chief Ministers of Meghalaya and Nagaland — alliance partner of the BJP — have demanded the repeal of AFSPA. The continued reliance on AFSPA must be reviewed. In the meanwhile, various agencies should ensure that such shocking incidents do not occur during action against insurgents. The immediate priority of the government is to ensure that the tragedy in Mon does not escalate into any further violence.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

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Botched operation

The avoidable killing of innocents in Nagaland has painted the forces involved in counter-insurgency operations as trigger-happy. If the ones responsible are not brought to book soon, there is a real danger of the simmering anger of the denizens getting exploited by insurgent groups to further consolidate their hold in the area. Such botched operations will further alienate the people from the mainland. The state government and forces should be on ground zero to try and bridge the gap and act as guardians to the bereaved. There must be an investigation that is transparent, quick and fair.

SS Paul, Nadia

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Nagaland killings

Refer to the Nagaland outrage; the civilian deaths are regretted, but it must be noted that the paramilitary forces deployed in Nagaland are also citizens of India who have the same right to life. Law and order is a State subject, hence elected leaders must be held accountable when civilians take law into their own hands and assault the Assam Rifles camp.

Brig HS Ghuman (Retd), by mail

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Compensation for ‘death’?

Refer to ‘The enduring legacy of farmers’ movement’; the Kisan Andolan began in earnest, but went astray midway. Its control slipped into wrong hands. The protests were anything but peaceful. How did 700 deaths, as claimed by them, occur? Were these natural deaths? If so, why the compensation? Ever heard of compensation for a natural death? It is unethical to use death to make money.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), JALANDHAR

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Permanent Commission

Apropos of ‘487 got Permanent Commission: Govt, Army inform SC’, it is a matter of pride for the female fraternity that 487 women Short Service Commission officers were granted Permanent Commission in the Army after the apex court verdict last year. This action will boost the morale of women officers and the Army will benefit from the hidden talent of its women wing. The court has also directed that 12 such officers, released from service during the pendency of proceedings, be granted Permanent Commission.

Vijaya Sharma, by mail

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