It is now one full week since terrorists attacked the landmarks of
Mumbai. Amidst the 24 hour media coverage, for me, the haunting
image of the attack has been our ill equipped policemen fighting the
armed to the teeth cowards from hell. Think of the lone RPF
constable at CST throwing a chair to distract attention of a
terrorist so that he can fire from his obsolete .303 rifle. Think of
ATS Chief Karkare trying to fit a useless bullet proof vest. Think
of armed with lathi Mumbai police personnel trying to stop the Skoda
of the terrorist at Girgaum Chowpatty. Think of the army man getting
down from the army truck with a 5 kg battery and equally heavy
communication equipment. Think of the NSG commandos reaching Taj in
the morning of 27th in BEST buses. What would have happened if
another terrorist had laid siege on the tin bus of BEST and deflated
its tyre?
Most of our policemen bravely fought the cowards, but did they have
a chance to succeed? We are a brave country but we have let
ourselves down by failing to look after those who are responsible
for our security. We have seen any number of talk shows on our TVs
about how spectacularly the government has failed. We have lampooned
our politicians. But after all this, what?
I propose that the Government of India immediately set up a Civil
Defence fund of India where all of us can contribute according to
our capacity. Let this fund be created under an act of Parliament
with water tight regulations to ensure that the Achutanandans of
this country cannot fiddle with this fund for their own agenda.
Further, utilization of this fund can be linked to the police
reforms which have been resisted by our ruling classes for the last
several decades making policing a hand maiden of their nefarious
designs.
The contribution to the fund can be made exempt from income tax. Its
management can be done by a highly empowered and autonomous board
consisting of eminent men and women who will oversee its
utilization. The utilization should be restricted to policing
infrastructure of the country: central para military forces such as
NSG, CRPF, CISF, RPF, BSF and so on and the state police. A broad
outline is given below:
Expense on Percentage
Equipment 60%
Firearms Small and Large
Transportation: Armored vehicles, Boats, Helicopters,
aircrafts
Surveillance-Radars, Sonars, unmanned aircraft
Safety Equipment -Bullet proof vests
Intelligence gathering Equipments
Training 20%
For welfare of police martyr families 5%
Exceptional bravery awards 3%
Discretion of the board (for other items related to related to
policing) 12%
Exclusions: Luxury transportation such as expensive cars for senior
officers, luxury aircraft.
Supervisory Board
Leaders Percentage
Eminent industrialists, business leaders from the private industry
30%
Security Specialists viz. Retired IPS, Retired Armed Force Officers,
Retired Intelligence Officers 30%
Specialist in strategic affairs 20%
Politicians
Union Home Minister
A person appointed by Leader of opposition in the Parliament
(Shadow home minister) 2 in number
Other eminent persons like scientists, academics and the like
Remaining percentage
Exclusions: All serving officers of the government, Retired civil
officers like IAS, revenue service etc (Police Service and
Intelligence service being the only exception)
This has been done in the past. Our IITs and IIMs are a result of
such farsighted legislation which the Arjun Singhs of this world
have not been able to destroy in spite of their best efforts. Hence
I am confident this can be done. Let us put pressure on the central
government to enact such legislation in the coming session of the
parliament itself. Once this is passed, let us contribute whole
heartedly to this fund to make it a grand success.
When the terrorist strikes again, let this be a battle by well armed
men. Let not another constable be seen firing from a first world war
vintage .303 to combat the next cowardly terrorist. A few of us will
recall the fearlessness in the eyes of the young CRPF constables who
defeated the nefarious designs of the terrorists during the
parliament attack. Well armed and well trained, our brave men can
show how the terrorists can be tamed.
TV Sinha
