The news about the incident in which nine IRB police jawans from Nagaland were killed during combat operation in the naxal infested south Bastar region of Chattisgarh State is indeed both shocking and disturbing given that the level of violence is hardly going to abate but rather it is expected that a counter-offensive may soon be in the offing from the Naga armed police unit themselves, known for their daring exploits. This will only open up a vicious cycle of violence that may be difficult to control once it is set on course.
While public criticism abounds on the decision of the Nagaland State government to send the IRB in the first place, the government also did not have much of a choice given that deployment of at least 1 IRB unit outside the State was mandatory as per the conditions laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs. However it was disturbing to note the attempt on the part of the State government to muzzle the local media in the first place from reporting information relating to the 9th Battalion of the IRB. In the event of any casualty during operations, does the government expect silence on the part of the press? The media is also duty bound to inform the public about the well being of its citizen.
It is therefore essential for the local media to raise certain pertinent question about the deployment of the jawans there. It is well understood that the government may have some reservation in relation to certain news report appearing specifically on the Naga IRB at Chattisgargh. While, there are some limitations even with regard to the freedom given to the press, but beyond this, the press should be allowed to function independently without being dictated upon. These include writing about public interest information including operations which has been kept confidential by government sources. According to reports received, the areas of their operations are often located at great distances from their camp area, and the nature of their duties is “risky and taxing”. Operations require the men to go into perilous terrain, setting up camp for days at a stretch in paddy fields and forests, all the while wary of walking into an ambush or setting off deadly land-mines. The Nagaland government should raise these issues both with the Union Home Ministry and also with its counterpart at Raipur.
While the jawans may receive a special allowance for the risks that they have to endure it will be in the fitness of things if the Home Minister, Director General of Police and possibly even the Chief Secretary; go on an inspection to the IRB post to get a first hand knowledge. This will also provide the opportunity for the jawans to share their grievances with officials from home. This is the best that can be done to assuage the feeling of the remaining jawans and their families. Is this asking for too much?
