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POTO - A Fearful Psychosis Or
An End
By Rajmani Ayekpam
The prevailing impression is that Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance, 2001, or POTO is a bigger threat to the freedom of citizen than a tool to curb terrorism activities in the country. Our experiences tell us that successive governments, bureaucrats and security officials have habitually indulge in excesses. The most careful attention must be given to the administration of such a law but the citizen is not to blame if he takes into account the manner in which laws in general are administered. No one who has indulged in major crimes has ever been brought to justice except those who were not influential at the
higher level.
It is not denied that the country is in mortal danger from terrorist who is ready to die for their misguided beliefs. However, those involved in Bofors, Urea scams, involving thousands of crores of rupees and most recently the UTI's Unit-64 scandal are hardly brought to justice. That some cases are difficult to investigate is not in question; what is indeed in question is favoritism, corruption and wide range of influences. Laloo Prasad Yadav, jailed former Bihar
Chief minister is given VIP treatment like double-bed, TV, telephone, food of his choice, freedom to walk etc. in the prison while other accused are dying to the plight of scarcity of basic needs. These are the stories of the second largest democratic country in the world.
Undoubtedly, suicide attack on Indian Parliament House on the 13th December, 2001 has scored a point against who has been opposing the promulgation of the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance, POTO. However, this may not be necessarily be true, though the NDA government can hardly be expected not to take advantage of the opportunity this has afforded. The more concern is the loophole in the Indian security apparatus. The country has witnessed some appalling assassinations of the top brass of Indian political system by the terrorist. However, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, etc. feel prey to their political shrewdness rather than their opposition to the terrorism. Recent attacks on JK Assembly and the Indian Parliament have been manifestation of terrorism at the highest level.
Now, it can be discussed at the micro level confined to this minuscule state that has suffered much at the hand of security forces than any other else. Since the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1968 was introduced in the state in the early part of the eighties of the last century in the wake of insurgency movement in the state innumerable numbers of human right violations, mostly involving security forces, have occurred and some of them have even attracted international attention.
The AFSPA has done more to bring more chaos and injuries to the common people than to check insurgency in this region. The government has turned a deaf ear even there was so much of hue and cry from the public.
It's unthinkable that we are living in the largest democratic country in the world considering the many modern time massacres like Patsoi-Langjing, Oinam, Heirangoithong, Tera, RIMS, Moirang Lamkhai, Tousem Lamkhai, Malom etc. in our civil life. The price of a human life is so cheap in this part of the world. The lives of innocent youths like Loken and Lokendra, Bijoykumar, Sanamacha, Netaji and many more have been taken for granted by the security forces in the name of the counter insurgency.
While there is so much discussion about the women empowerment in the parliament, there are on the other hand so many crimes against the modesty of women in this part of the world. One very good example was the rape of a married woman by a security personal even before her husband and family members in broad daylight. We can hardly forget all these things, as these are part and parcel of our civil life.
In democracy, press is regarded as the fourth estate after legislature, judiciary and executive. Moreover, the true picture of the democracy can be seen from the press in these days. But, in the existing circumstances, press have become the scapegoat from every angle of the society in the state. Every conscious human beings of this state is well aware why the publication of newspapers was shut down for fourteen days. It's an open secret that
it was a mark of protest by the press people against the interference of the editing rights of the press. Another aspect of the POTO is, it seems to the general public, that pressmen are to be targeted as much as the terrorists while you can't deny the profession of journalism is the toughest profession after military service. This is the worst signal to the press people given by the POTO.
There is some air of relief among the press circle that the controversial clause "punishment of person who is in possession of an information he knows or believes to be material assistance in preventing the commission of a terrorist act and fails to disclose that information to the police" has been omitted from the existing POTO by a ratification issued by an order of GOI on December 29, 2001. However, it still fails to appease opposition parties. Instead they consider it as cosmetic change only. This may not be able to cool down the debate of the POTO in the existing circumstances.
It's a shame that the present BJP-led NDA government has tried to portray those who do not support POTO when it is introduced in the Parliament as a terrorist supporters after the 13th December attack on Parliament. However, even in the NDA, DMK is more concerned about the people's opposition to the controversial ordinance than as a coterie in the present partnership of the government. The demonstration before the Parliament House by some sections of MPs who are considered as the cream of the Indian Parliament shows the true color of the ordinance.
To get consent of the POTO in the Parliament would be more a personal victory to Home Minister LK Advani than an end to combat terrorism in the country. He may even dare to call a joint session of both Houses of Parliament to get consensus. In the meantime the Congress is a party, which has suffered most at the hand of terrorists. However, they suspect the ruling party may use POTO as a political ploy to consolidate their position, particularly in the context of the forthcoming elections in the Hindi heartland, than an end to terrorism. The ruling party BJP was accused of using this trick in Gujarat in the recent past by the opposition.
Fortunately, the discussion of POTO has been subsided for time being as response to the rising tension between India and Pakistan. India is one step ahead of Pakistan in that Pakistan is branded as terrorist-sponsoring country before the eyes of the super-power. The cross border terrorism has been confirmed as Pakistan slapped ban on Lasker-e-Taiyaba and Jaish-e-Mahammad.
However, it can be discussed why did such type of fuss did not occur during the Nehru period? Nehru was not only a good administrator in the country but many countries admired his statesmanship. As India was strong advocate of the Non-alignment movement in the past India had good relations with her neighbors. So, cross border terrorism from the neighboring countries was almost nil in those days. After Nehru, almost all the politicians of the country are more concerned with fighting politics and petty things and had no interest in international politics. So, gradually our neighbors, which once were our good brethren, became our foe. It's a pity to think that our policy makers at the top level are not aware of these simple things.
If India does not try to improve its image as a strong advocate of the non-alignment movement (NAM) as earlier at the international level, it will be difficult to counter terrorism across the boarder.
There should be no delay to lift-up our stature as a peace loving country. Acts and Ordinances can't solve the problem of terrorism in the country since it's already an international phenomena. What's needed is international support to tackle terrorism in the country as funds for terrorist activities are coming from many far countries.
To tackle internal crisis are also more or less mean tackling the external hands, which incite terrorist activities in the country. Why did such a small and weak country like Bhutan becomes a safe-haven for some of the dreaded insurgency groups of the North-East? And why do those far flung peoples who reside at the border area have their loyalty to our neighbors? These are small things to see but very important to our security concerns.
The protection and the safeguarding of the people is the duty of the government. To implement its duty the government should not look suspiciously at its own people. On the other hand it is to be remembered that spreading of terrorism in our country is the result of failure in administrative system not by the people's non-performing of their duty. It is to be aware that the introduction of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 in this region has given more wings to insurgency rather curbing it.
The need of the hour is to gain confidence of the people in whatever government wants to do. Any move against the wishes of the people will give wrong signal not only in our country but also to the whole world.
(Courtesy: The Imphal Free Press) |
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