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| Omar Abdullah should not do politics by dragging in army's name | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 6 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has again made comments those would heighten tensions between New Delhi and the State. In an interview to NDTV's Barkha Dutt, Omar said the army had been delaying the process of justice in Machil, and Surankote civilians killings while the union defence minister did not favour repealing the AFSPA in the State.
Making Pro-active effects to ensure justice to victims of a civilian killing by the security forces is the fundamental duty of the Chief Minister and nothing must prevent Omar Abdullah discharge this constitutional and fundamental obligation of office. But, having said that, does it befit the Chief Minister to shout in public that the army does not listen to him? Does it befit the Chief Minister to tell NDTV that the defence ministry is not cooperating with the State Government in the withdrawal of AFSPA? Does it befit the Chief Minister to say that the union home minister, P. Chidambaram and the defence minister, A.K. Antony are not on the same page?
Accepted that peace and tranquility are the top priorities of the Chief Minister and he does not want to give an opportunity to the separatists to create unrest in the Valley like they did in 2009 and 2010. But, is there something like the oath of confidentiality or not? Does not his oath of office prevent him from making a public utterance that can result in a public outcry against the defence forces of the country?
A bird's eye view of the State's constitution makes it clear that the Government headed by Omar Abdullah has inherent powers which can be overruled or overlooked by neither the union home minister nor the union defence minister. Omar Abdullah can pass orders which would have to be respected by both the union home ministry as well as the union defence ministry. The State of Jammu and Kashmir has vast executive and judicial powers which are far greater than those enjoyed by any other state of the country.
Complaining that a certain provision of law cannot be repealed by the State Government because the union defence minister has put his foot down is trying to deceive and mislead the public opinion.
Omar must remember the early days of his Chief Ministership when he wanted a certain camp of the army relocated from Sopore town after two youth had been shot their mistakenly by a patrol party. Omar Abdullah put his foot down and made it clear that the camp will have to go. The Chief Minister's firmness left the authorities in the army without any option other than shift the camp. Why did not the defence minister intervene that time?
There must be no doubt in anybody's mind that the country's defence minister would never want a blemish on the fair image of the army. The army itself can ill afford to be seen trying to meddle in the affairs of day to day governance by the civilian authority.
It is okay to try and gain sympathy of the common man by maintaining that he alone has the best of intentions while others always try to put spanners in the good governance by the State Chief Minister. But, he must realize that the best interests of the State and the country cannot be at cross purpose with each other. The army is engaged in anti-insurgency duties on the specific and explicit request of the State Government. If Omar Abdullah wants them relieved from anti-insurgency duties he must make a formal written request to the union and he would find that the army would relinquish the anti-insurgency duties in the hinterland within less than 24 hours.
The Chief Minister must simply write a letter to the centre and as he believes in turning everything over to the NDTV, he must simply inform the said television channel about his decision. If the centre does not relieve the army of its anti-insurgency duties in the hinterland of the State within less than 24 hours, Omar would have a valid reason to crying wolf.
Nobody can deny the fact that some black sheep can always exist within the security forces. The fact that Omar Abdullah and the long arm of law has been able to reach out and identify those black sheep proves that as an institution the Indian army has done us proud. The Chief Minister should try and make an effort not to drag the army's name as an institution into any controversy. Saying that the country's defence ministry would oppose repeal of AFSPA or that the army does not cooperate with the process of law against those within it responsible for civilian killings is clearly tarnishing the fair image of the army and clearly an indictment of the finest institution of this country.
Yes, individuals can falter, but not the Indian army as an institution. The Chief Minister is able to reach out to his people and engage in developmental activities because the army made huge sacrifices to bring about the present peace in the State. If Omar Abdullah doubts this, his father would bear witness. |
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