-------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Zoglul Husain
From: Zoglul Husain
YES, the writer's worry over the security of the Commonwealth games in October is justified, especially as India is in the throes of conflict and turmoil. The writer is right when he says: "The Naxalites are just one of India's militant groups. There is the age-old separatist movement in the Northeast Indian Seven Sister states, the Maoist movement, the horrendous bloodshed in Kashmir, unrest in Jharkand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and other states. There is the simmering revolt in the downtrodden Dalit and other sects."
The following article in the Weekly Holiday adequately justifies the writer's apprehensions:
Shamsuddin Ahmed Indian special force (IRB) stationed in Nagaland ordered to go to West Bengal to fight the Maoists have reportedly revolted on Saturday last. They staged a protest at Dimapur. The troopers complained that they were ill-equipped and lack logistic support and cannot fight the dreaded Maoists.
In Chhattisgarh, Congress Party heavyweight Mahendra Karma has viewed that Maoist movement cannot be silenced with force. He said the government wants to secure domination over the red corridor at gunpoint as it has lost touch with the people.
Despite discussions on peace talks and cessation of fighting that affected the life in 18 Indian states, confrontation between the Maoists and Joint forces continued every day especially in Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand. Peace process is not in sight although the Maoist responded positively to the offer of the President and Prime Minister. Maoist leader Kishenji said peace talks can be started after initiating judicial inquiry into the death his party spokesperson Azad and withdrawal of Joint Forces.
Meanwhile, Rediff News of India quoting Azad's post-mortem report said Azad was shot dead from a very close range, probably less than one foot. This belied the police report that claimed he was killed in an exchange of fire on July 2 - Maoists firing from a hill top and joint forces from the below.
The report exposed why Home Minister Chiddambaram is dead against judicial inquiry. Many believe that he knew about Azad's arrest and was killed with his nod. Chiddambaram now says there has been no direct and credible response to the peace talks from the Maoist. He told a meeting of state police officers at a meeting in New Delhi to deal with the rebels firmly without fear. He called for patience and hoped the Maoists can be annihilated in next two years.
But Congress leader of Chhattisgarh Mahendra Karma gave a different picture. He said the state government of BJP wants to rule the restive Bastar region at gunpoint where "Maoist movement is spreading day by day." The region comprises four districts with an area of 40,000sq km. The government and leaders have lost touch and contact with the people. "If politicians can't have the guts to stay in their areas then you can imagine the real situation ... They have given the Maoists a free run," said Karma who has survived several attempts on his life by the Maoist.
"The future of Bastar (Chhattisgarh) is dark; I don't see any indication of things improving because Maoists are active on two fronts - violence and public contact," he said.
Security experts in northeast states say withdrawal of the security forces from the region, as was done from Nagaland, may be risky. More than half a dozen secessionist groups are active in the region. Even partial withdrawal of troops to strengthen anti-Maoist operation in the central states will encourage the ULFA. Its commander Paresh Barua has changed the strategy in collaboration with the Maoist.
The following article in the Weekly Holiday adequately justifies the writer's apprehensions:
[From the weekly Holiday, 27 August 2010
http://www.weeklyholiday.net/front.html#02]
Indian troopers are ill-equipped to fight Maoists
http://www.weeklyholiday.net/front.html#02]
Indian troopers are ill-equipped to fight Maoists
Shamsuddin Ahmed Indian special force (IRB) stationed in Nagaland ordered to go to West Bengal to fight the Maoists have reportedly revolted on Saturday last. They staged a protest at Dimapur. The troopers complained that they were ill-equipped and lack logistic support and cannot fight the dreaded Maoists.
In Chhattisgarh, Congress Party heavyweight Mahendra Karma has viewed that Maoist movement cannot be silenced with force. He said the government wants to secure domination over the red corridor at gunpoint as it has lost touch with the people.
Despite discussions on peace talks and cessation of fighting that affected the life in 18 Indian states, confrontation between the Maoists and Joint forces continued every day especially in Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand. Peace process is not in sight although the Maoist responded positively to the offer of the President and Prime Minister. Maoist leader Kishenji said peace talks can be started after initiating judicial inquiry into the death his party spokesperson Azad and withdrawal of Joint Forces.
Meanwhile, Rediff News of India quoting Azad's post-mortem report said Azad was shot dead from a very close range, probably less than one foot. This belied the police report that claimed he was killed in an exchange of fire on July 2 - Maoists firing from a hill top and joint forces from the below.
The report exposed why Home Minister Chiddambaram is dead against judicial inquiry. Many believe that he knew about Azad's arrest and was killed with his nod. Chiddambaram now says there has been no direct and credible response to the peace talks from the Maoist. He told a meeting of state police officers at a meeting in New Delhi to deal with the rebels firmly without fear. He called for patience and hoped the Maoists can be annihilated in next two years.
But Congress leader of Chhattisgarh Mahendra Karma gave a different picture. He said the state government of BJP wants to rule the restive Bastar region at gunpoint where "Maoist movement is spreading day by day." The region comprises four districts with an area of 40,000sq km. The government and leaders have lost touch and contact with the people. "If politicians can't have the guts to stay in their areas then you can imagine the real situation ... They have given the Maoists a free run," said Karma who has survived several attempts on his life by the Maoist.
"The future of Bastar (Chhattisgarh) is dark; I don't see any indication of things improving because Maoists are active on two fronts - violence and public contact," he said.
Security experts in northeast states say withdrawal of the security forces from the region, as was done from Nagaland, may be risky. More than half a dozen secessionist groups are active in the region. Even partial withdrawal of troops to strengthen anti-Maoist operation in the central states will encourage the ULFA. Its commander Paresh Barua has changed the strategy in collaboration with the Maoist.
Dangerous Games
The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in the Indian capital of New Delhi on October 3-14. The Games have given rise to consternation and controversy from the very outset. Queen Elizabeth II expressed her anger in no uncertain terms over the corruption and scandals pertaining to organizing the games. Three key figures of the organizing committee in New Delhi have had to resign and the Indian Sports Ministry is more than a mite embarrassed.
Not only that, delays in construction mean none of the Games venues are likely to be ready by the deadline. With infrastructure projects around the city also well behind schedule, the Indian capital is involved in a race against time to be ready to host the Commonwealth Games - the biggest sporting event here since the 1982 Asian Games.
However, that is only the tip of the iceberg where India's concerns lie. The glaring problem, not only for the Indians but for the participating Commonwealth countries too, is the question of security.
Underneath its ˜Shining" veneer, India is a hot bed of terrorist activities and insurgent movements. The question which looms large now is whether India is actually safe enough for the Commonwealth Games to be held. It was understandable when Pakistan was struck of the list of countries to host the World Cup for cricket and perhaps even Pakistan breathed easier despite the slight. But given the prevailing circumstances and the bloody violence which has broken out all over India, is it worth risking the lives of the crème de la crème in the Commonwealth's sporting arena? And it is not the sports men and women alone who are at risk, the general public of India also stands under threat as such a huge sporting event, attracting worldwide attention and media coverage, is prime target for the terrorists to get their message across.
The Commonwealth Games 2010 is tempting to terrorists, no doubt.
Just this year, on April 6, 2010, the communist radical Naxalites launched the biggest attack in the history of their movement. In a well-planned attack by 1000 Naxalites, a total of 76 Indian security personnel of the Central Reserve Forces were killed in two ambushes in Chattisgarh. This is perhaps one of the biggest killings of official security personnel, leaving India's confidence reeling and the people acutely insecure.
The very next month, on May 17, the Naxalites blew up a bus on the Dantewada-Sukhma Road, killing 15 policemen and 20 civilians. Then on June 29 at least 26 personnel of the Indian Central Reserve Forces were killed in another major attack by the Naxals in the Narayanpur district of Chattisgarh. Such bloody attacks continue.
The Naxalites are just one of India's militant groups. There is the age-old separatist movement in the Northeast Indian Seven Sister states, the Maoist movement, the horrendous bloodshed in Kashmir, unrest in Jharkand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and other state. There is the simmering revolt in the downtrodden Dalit and other sects.
Under these circumstances, questions are being raised as to whether it would be at all wise to actually hold the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi this time. Better safe than sorry,says Aruna Sachdev, an analyst on South Asia now living in the US, There is still time for them to cancel, or at least postpone the Games until things are more secure. Yes, there will be a lost of money wasted, but aren't human lives more valuable?
Not only that, delays in construction mean none of the Games venues are likely to be ready by the deadline. With infrastructure projects around the city also well behind schedule, the Indian capital is involved in a race against time to be ready to host the Commonwealth Games - the biggest sporting event here since the 1982 Asian Games.
However, that is only the tip of the iceberg where India's concerns lie. The glaring problem, not only for the Indians but for the participating Commonwealth countries too, is the question of security.
Underneath its ˜Shining" veneer, India is a hot bed of terrorist activities and insurgent movements. The question which looms large now is whether India is actually safe enough for the Commonwealth Games to be held. It was understandable when Pakistan was struck of the list of countries to host the World Cup for cricket and perhaps even Pakistan breathed easier despite the slight. But given the prevailing circumstances and the bloody violence which has broken out all over India, is it worth risking the lives of the crème de la crème in the Commonwealth's sporting arena? And it is not the sports men and women alone who are at risk, the general public of India also stands under threat as such a huge sporting event, attracting worldwide attention and media coverage, is prime target for the terrorists to get their message across.
The Commonwealth Games 2010 is tempting to terrorists, no doubt.
Just this year, on April 6, 2010, the communist radical Naxalites launched the biggest attack in the history of their movement. In a well-planned attack by 1000 Naxalites, a total of 76 Indian security personnel of the Central Reserve Forces were killed in two ambushes in Chattisgarh. This is perhaps one of the biggest killings of official security personnel, leaving India's confidence reeling and the people acutely insecure.
The very next month, on May 17, the Naxalites blew up a bus on the Dantewada-Sukhma Road, killing 15 policemen and 20 civilians. Then on June 29 at least 26 personnel of the Indian Central Reserve Forces were killed in another major attack by the Naxals in the Narayanpur district of Chattisgarh. Such bloody attacks continue.
The Naxalites are just one of India's militant groups. There is the age-old separatist movement in the Northeast Indian Seven Sister states, the Maoist movement, the horrendous bloodshed in Kashmir, unrest in Jharkand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and other state. There is the simmering revolt in the downtrodden Dalit and other sects.
Under these circumstances, questions are being raised as to whether it would be at all wise to actually hold the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi this time. Better safe than sorry,says Aruna Sachdev, an analyst on South Asia now living in the US, There is still time for them to cancel, or at least postpone the Games until things are more secure. Yes, there will be a lost of money wasted, but aren't human lives more valuable?
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