CHANDIGARH: The Indian army which was deployed in strength last week in Punjab does not appear to know where to begin from or what to do in the state.
Top commanders of Sikh militants, unlike in ne 1984, are not known, The number of Sikh militants holding out in Akal Takhat in the course of operation “Blue Star” was not more than 200. But vow their ranks have swelled to a many thousands and all of them underground”. Most of these activists live in villages during Sights and in sugarcane fields during the day or perhaps vice versa.
It is well known that Indian army’s leadership has been insisting on New Delhi to sort out political problems in Punjab and Kashmir owing to widespread unrest in these sensitive Border States. In the army’s perspective, it will be quite difficult manage the civilian front in the event of hostilities breaking out with Pakistan. Most senior officers of the defense forces have been wary about their involvement in the internal political affairs as a stark lesson from the operation “Blue Star”.
The army’s renewed intervention in Punjab has thus serious limitations unless its leadership has chosen to forget about the “blue Stars” biter lessons, Nevertheless, the Indian government wants the army to make a show of its presence in Punjab. That is why it has pressed into service as many a sine division, most army offers are aware of the fact that their presence will not make any basic difference in the situation to keep the forces and the country well aware of the army’s limited potential. The commanders made a show of producing results by demanding “all out powers” which, they knew could not be granted if the objective is to hold election as is claimed.
Thus the role that the army can possible perform at this stage in Punjab is one of the showmanship. They have no direct access to intelligence. For that the units are dependent on police stations. Since the police would not like the army to steal a march over the former, it would be hesitant to part with clues. In any case, the police officials could be expected to invite the army only in major confrontations and not in, routine matters. Besides, the unchecked powers assigned to the police have given officials contained euphoria they would not like to share with the army.
In view of the army’s limited and temporary stay in Punjab, the authorities are keen to ensure that the force does not fall foul of the civilian populations. For that purpose, the army authorities have been allocated certain amounts of money to buy medicines and distribute them among the needy in villages so that the officers are able to strike rapport with the population. How for these tricks work will be known soon.
In any case, the army’s full anticipated strength in Punjab has still to be positioned; it is likely to be complete early next month.
Meanwhile, most Sikh groups remain committed to a boycott of the proposed election. The latest to join the boycott movement is the student wing of the Babbar Akali Dal.
With most militant groups opting for a boycott, the Indian government has finally dropped the proposal to pass a law banning the entry to election of those who want 0 secede from India. The idea appears to have been disfavored by legal experts. In any case, the ban proposal is regarded redundant in the circumstances.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 29, 1991
