Handling stonepelters in Kashmir was easier !
New Delhi
Men-women divide is immortal. They are complementary to each other too; and thanks to the Manipur imbroglio, soon the policy makers will have to come forward with more crystal clear policy to recruit more from 'weaker/stronger' sex.
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| photo : salute.co.in |
The military bosses are immensely disturbed by the manner 'women mob' objected to their discharging their normal job and as many as 12 militants of KYKL had to be set free.
One military version appears simplistic but has to be understood. "Being humane is not a weakness. Even otherwise we are often accused of ill-treating women. Ours is a thankless job.
Back home, we also leave our mothers and sisters and so you can't be brutal to a group of hundreds of women," said one official aware of the military operations and occupational hazards.
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| On the spot photo |
In other words, what they say is 'there is a need to demystify' the very concept that women in Manipur from time to time were indulging in 'peaceful blockade'. The women were rather 'blocking' security forces discharge their normal duties. It was motivated and all pre-planned.
On June 24th, they protested and gheraoed the forces at Itham village in Imphal East in such a manner that the 'rioters' were helped to flee the spot.
A day earlier on June 23, Yaingangpokpi village (also under Imphal East) after firing by armed rioters at Urangpat locality, a large number of 'women folk' were seen accompanying armed rioters. There was a well coordinated pre-planned actions which probably caught the forces surprised.
In open jeeps and other vehicles 'armed rioters' were encircled and shielded by women and they fled the spot in no time. "Even ambulances were used to carry rioters safe and sound away from the central forces," one source commented.
In similar actions on June 13, when riots broke out in Khamanlok area near Nungshung village; women mob blocked the movement of forces "even before the arson really began".
For men in camouflage, the intensity of problems multiplied manifold when women protesters created hurdles even during night operations. Women would gherao army officials, ring bells loud and scream at them clapping hands or beating chests. They would squat or even lie down on the roads and even interfere or prevent movement of logistics. Such incidents happened from Imphal to Pallel Road.
"We have video footage on some of these," the source said, adding that both in the media and in political din, these issues are hardly being debated.
There was another mega incident which not only created functional hazards, but many officers felt hurt.
"Our men and officers spend endless days and nights helping locals in Manipur and other northeastern states during disasters and other challenging times; but knowing very well we are on the call of duty even the roads near entry/exit gates were dug up to delay our movement," the source told 'Nagaland Page'.
Of course, it goes without saying that blocking movement of security forces is not only 'unlawful' but also detrimental to their efforts to restore law and order.
Soldiers and officers in modern times are aware of the power of social media and tools like Whatsapp. One of them smilingly responded to a query on these playing as 'negative catalysts' in Manipur; "We are using the hashtag HelpUsHelpManipur and often ventilate our emotions.... Nation will definitely welcome and appreciate our position one day".
All these should drag the debate to the 'policy front'. To a question on whether
there is a 'need for more women personnel/force' in Assam Rifles'; the source explained, "Structuring of a force is based on perceived threat and its charter, and the Assam Rifles charter is essentially based on the police charter or the Central Armed Police Force charter".
Sources further maintained that, "an integral women cadre was instituted in the Assam Rifles in 2013. Since then, Rifle-women as they are designated, are working hand in hand with their Riflemen comrades on every front, braving the inhospitable terrain and operational challenges in remote locations of the North East".
In the security apparatus in the country it is also understood that the employment of Riflewomen in Kashmir had "fulfilled a longstanding requirement of women combatants".
However, in general sense, the military top brass or even policy makers do appreciate that wrongdoers in politically sensitive states such as Manipur or Jammu and Kashmir "have been taking advantage of the shortfall of women security force/police personnel and human rights issues by using local women as scapegoats".
Hence, there is now a realisation that it is better to have more women personnel in Assam Rifles or in other CAPF as constables.
As of now, each Assam Rifles battalion has 30 Riflewomen. Given the quantum of duty especially
in the context of ethnic strife in Manipur and tyranny of 'women mob'; there is definitely a
need for more women constables to start with.
"Numbers or lack of them is an issue. But with their professional and humane approach, the Riflewomen of Assam Rifles have made a positive impact on the local populace wherever they have been deployed.
Their deployment in good numbers in Manipur will be a good beginning and could be a game-changer as well," the source said.
An apt solution to tide over the problem could be to get more women contingent from Central Para military forces. They along with CAPFs are best suited to undertake crowd management which is the need of the hour in Manipur.
ends
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