KASHMIR POLICY – A BUNDLE OF CONTRADICTIONS AND INCONSISTENCY
GOI finally decides to move with precise planning and purposeful action in Kashmir.. Beefing up security and redeploying Army in areas from where they were withdrawn earlier is a well thought out move. This will, enable regaining morale of the army and help instill a sense of security to general public who do not indulge in arson and stone pelting but want peaceful and tranquil concomitant enabling secure living.
This move from the govt. may or may not make any great difference in the schemes of the cessationists; but with certainty I can say that they will continue calls for paralyzing normal life. Ensconced in the safety of their well protected fortress they will continue to gleefully watching on the plasma TV installed in the living rooms (at the cost of Indian Tax Payers money)the utter destruction and chaos created from their instigation.
Our policy on Kashmir appears a bundle of contradictions. We try to tread a path of quagmire mistaking it for firm and concrete. There is inconsistency in everything we indulge in when dealing with this state of Indian Union.
We hesitate to categorically specify the status of separatists. We are unable to decide whether they are nationalist or traitors. If they fall in the former category why are they allowed to participate in the “Venom Venting Mehfils” of Pak High commission ? If they are traitors why do we go all out to pamper them with free bees and privileges unthinkably inaccessible even to freedom fighters?
We object when Pak invites Hurriyat for “discussions” and clandestinely invite Andrabi & co for discussions?
If SAS Geelani, Mirwaize Omar Farook, Yasin Malik, Bilal Lone etc are cessationists why is it that GOI/state govt. spent over 100 crores per annum by way of security, fuel, medical aid, air travel/star hotel accommodation on them? What is the idea of giving “Z” category security to traitors.Who in India are provided with 500 PSOs, 1000 police personnel, given free fuel for the travel, etc?
Is it our national policy to encourage divisive and disruptive activities and assist disintegration of the country?
Why is it that “section 124 of IPC not slapped on Geelani for his call for separation from Indian Union and the violence following this incitement and his utterance that he is not Indian and his press note declaring that“Kashmir is nearing Independence” and Pakistan is friend” etc when we have done so at the drop of hat when ordinary Indians made much less serious pronouncements?
Why Geelani still not arrested for openly defying Indian Law and refusing to pay income tax? Will an ordinary Indian Citizen be given this same privilege?
Mir Waize is invited by OIC to deliver speech on Kashmir during UNGA Meeting in New York. He appears to have accepted this invite.
Will GOI give him an Indian Passport and facilitate with free air ticket and 7 star hotel accommodation so that he can spews venom, abuse and denigrate the country in a foreign soil?
It is now time to seriously ponder over these issues and the present action of the govt. such as deploying 4000 army personnel to bring about normalcy indicate a brave shift towards firmness. We must take more stern action regarding separatists.

Goi now is considering lowering security grading of these traitors. Please do not waste time any more.completely withdraw security cover provided to them so that they are free to move around if they dare to do so.
This measure will put an end to the menace. Either a more militant outfit or a youth pining for peace will pen a “period” to the terror chapter.

Those who are responsible for the attack will not go unpunished” PM on Uri Attack.
Another dastardly Fidayeen attack.
Not in civilian area; But,
In an infantry Base in URI- a sensitive border area- just 6 Kms from LOC. Uri is a sensitive area with porous and vulnerable border very close to LOC. This was a relatively peaceful area. The Pahadi population was a bit different from the people of the valley and identified more with population of Poonch area than that of the valley. They were friendly during early 70s of the last century, that was my experience, and I do not know how they became hostile now.
We are unable to understand the lapses in our security system? How 4 terrorist carrying sophisticated weapons, grenade launchers, sizable stock of grenades and incendiary bombs could sneak un-noticed into Army Camp with maximum peripheral security. That too, in the wake of intelligence input of imminent terrorist attack.
Are we so poor in our surveillance operations? How did JeM fidayeens manage to reach army base without being noticed at about 5.30 am. It eludes comprehension how that they covered about 6 kilometers unnoticed. Don’t we have electronic surveillance system installed and manned across loc? Evidently we have not learnt any lessons from Pathankot experience.
All the Attackers had complete knowledge of the target. How did this happen? Are there moles among us who passed vital info to them? Otherwise how were they able to plan the attack so precisely and chose this time of engagement changing of troops to execute their plan?
These are some of the queries that need specific answers. It is time for us to revisit security strategy.
Undoubtedly, the operation was planned and carried out with active collaboration of ISI/Pak Militray is evident from the weaponry with Pak markings seized from the neutralized attackers. They were carrying incendiary bombs which are not available off the shelf. So, for sure, they were supplied by those who have access to it. Obviously, the Pak Military/ISI.
The DGMO has confirmed the identity of the attackers as Jaish e Muhammed and told his counterpart in Pak so, without mincing words.
We lost 17 of our braves and four out of 30, injured and undergoing treatment in 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, are critical and one critically injured airlifted to Army Hospital New Delhi. Number of Martyrs might go up.
14 braves who lost their life were engulfed in fire set to their temporary accommodation by the incendiary bombs.
Of late, incidences of insurgency are on the increase and security personnel could not carry out anti insurgency operation mainly because of the non co operation of the locals. This is mainly due to hostile conditions prevailing in south Kashmir and its spread to other parts of the valley. There is no denying this fact. That is the ground reality and Pak has fully exploited this and locals are in many ways fueling the fire. We have to accept the fact that in addition to LeT, JeM etc from across the increasing local terrorist out fits also play a major role. Radical Wahabi Islamization in the valley is the other contributory ingredient.
The first thing need to be done is to adopt measures to restore confidence and co operation of the locals. Earlier the Satbhavana program of the Army helped this cause greatly. Something of this nature has to be planned and executed urgently with alacrity.
Following this incident we have witnessed brave words and many wrestler- style chest thumping like “Jaw for a tooth” “deterrent action” “will not go unpunished” etc.
Also, we heard obnoxious political profanity coming from leaders of some party.
Incidentally, an appeal to INC and its leaders, at this time of national crisis , one would have expected them to refrain from petty politicking and at least to pretend, that they are with the nation . The comment by one of its leaders “ govt doing biryani/sari diplomacy” etc does not go well with the general public. Your assets are on the waning; you are not endearing public by such utterly unwise blabbering.
The Goi has to act with determination and purpose. Mere brave sounding rhetoric will not serve any purpose any more. Pak does not care. They know that except these rhetoric no retaliatory action will follow and embolden them to perpetrate more terror attacks.
Act Now; Stop Rhetorics.
What are the options available to us?
“Every action has an equal and opposite action” that is first principle for practice.
The Prime Minister when he said that the men behind this attack will not go unpunished has very wide connotation to it. I hope that his plans, whatever it may be, bear desired fruit. It is high time now to go for well thought out , purposeful and resolute action. What are the options available to us?
Diplomatic, Economic and military are the obvious ones.
We have not achieved the desired result of isolating Pakistan diplomatically with our new aggressive approach towards Pakistan., Calling them a Terrorist Nation does not give us any advantage. We can consider breaking diplomatic ties with Pak till situation improves.
Military options are not the best choice as both nations are nuclear powers.
Economic measures can be resorted to like suspending all trade arrangement with Pak and to hurt them more, tell China that we will stop import from them, which is substantial, if they continue to support Pakistan. China cannot afford to lose a market like India.
There is another option open to us; that is the “rogue route”. We may activate our counter intelligence initiative to cultivate sources in POK? Why not Resort to same Pakistani tactics of engaging non-state actors to counter this menace.
We need not create a fidayeens of our own but can seriously consider utilizing friends in Balochistan and sympathizers in POK to achieve our objective. We have co-ordinates of terror camps in POK. Why not plan a complete destruction of these? We can consider soliciting help from “Mossad” to achieve this objective.

If we opt for this there will be voices screaming hysterically all around that “we too are becoming a terrorist nation”, our “international standing will undergo a beating” Let them ; scare crows should not deter us.
Dastardly attack needs drastic retaliation or else we will be perennially be at receiving end.

There is another greater anomaly in the pay structure of PBOR. Junior rank getting a higher salary. The X group, considered to be equal to diploma are paid a higher pay which reflects in pension also.
This anomaly creates much dissentment among many.
No doubt that X group undergoes advanced technical course and deserved to be paid higher. But the moot point to be understood is that defence essentially is a rank conscious,discipline and "izzat" based special and unique establishment.
While holding a particular rank in "X" group they are justified in being paid higher than others in same rank in same/lower groups.
Instead of "PAY" this extra emolument may be classified as "Technical allowance" making it non-reckonable for pension. Because once out of uniform veteran is treated only on the basis of the rank held and not 
on technical qualification possessed while in service.
Secondly, while fixing pay for next higher rank it must be ensured that a lower rank person which ever group he may belong to must not be placed above the next higher rank. This has been the point of contention between Maj. Gen Satbir/MOD. This needs to be resolved. A minimum difference of Rs.500/- above the salary of a junior rank (including tech allnc.) be fixed as starting salary of next higher rank. This will avoid many anomalies in pay and pension of PBOR.
Tech.gp bros may not agree with me but i think it is worth considering.
vet JWO sukumaran

Lt.Gen.(R) Harwant Sing's article is a pointer to the fact that the Top Brass are waking up to the situation arising out of the discriminatory treatment being meted out to military. It is a welcome change. Sri Mohanarangan Narayanan's doubt whether the Gen was unaware of this while in service is, though pertinent, emanates from misconception about the uniformed person's right to freedom of opinion and speech. If he had voiced the the same concern while serving, in all probability , would not have survived to write this blog.The question by M Narayanan reminds me of Kruschev's reply to a question as to why he did not object Stalin. So I do not blame him for his action as VCOAS.
What i see in his blog is the mind set that has been so discernible all through as how utterly unmindful they are about the woes of men called PBOR. 
First thing to be done is to remove for good the nomenclature "PBOR" Call them a) Junior Officers (JCOs are Cl II Gazetted Officers) b) Senior Non Gazetted c) Non Gazetted and Air Men, Front line Soldier and Sea Warrior.
Give Same allowances to all whether officer or others and maintain the Pay Difference between officers and Junior Officer and below.All other perks must be equal. By virtue of certain quality required to become an officer an significant enhancement in pay is justified.
This will set aside, positively, most of the resentments prevalent among personnel other than commissioned officers.
This measure if implemented will boost the morale, efficacy and out put of the fighting force

AN APPEAL FROM VETERANS TO PEOPLES’ REPRESENTATIVES

                                                                     IN BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT

Honorable Members of Parliament

I am sure that all of you honorable members are aware of the existence of section of society known earlier as “EX-SERVICEMEN” and now rechristened a “VETERANS” . I do not know if the renaming has brought any difference in their social status in the eyes of the bureaucrats which is degradation, disdain, disgrace, contempt and  insult. The process of degradation commenced over four decades ago and grew to the present indescribable dimension. I will not go in to the details of history of those callously calculated  moves  by bureaucrats who always wanted subjugated Armed Forces as all of you , I am sure, are fully aware of.

Issue now is of absolute discrimination

This appeal from veterans comes to you for help in resolving a burning issue which is affecting life of many pre 2006 defense retirees who are living in perennial penury.

The Hon’ble CAT Ernakulam in an order dt 16-8-2013 in OA.No.715/2012 filed by Sri M.O. Inasu directed that the revised pension w.e.f.1-1-2006 under 4.2 of OM dt 1-9-2008 would not be reduced based on the qualifying service of 33 years. The appeals filed against the order in Hon’ble High Court of Kerala and The Hon’ble Supreme court of India were dismissed.

Consequent upon this the GOI issued OM No.38/37/08-P&PW (A) dt 06 April, 2016 revising pension of Central Govt Retirees in Accordance with CAT order.

Within 48 hours of issuance of the above OM the Principal Controller of Defense Accounts (Pension), Draupadi Ghat issued Circular C-149 asking all pension disbursing authorities to revise Pension of all pre 2006 Defense Civilian Retirees.

FOUR MONTHS have gone by nothing has happened as regards defense pensioners.

The benefits of this order mostly affect low paid PBOR like sepoy/Naik/Hav/and JCOS. Most of them are in their twilight years of existence and pinned their hopes of a small comfort of arrears accruing out of the enhancement in emoluments.

We are not worried and surely not jealous if our civilian brothers get arrears earlier. Let them have; but WHY THIS APATHY towards us? That is the question which baffles us. Is GUARDING AND KEEPING VIGIL AT BORDERS AND SACRIFICING OUR LIVES WHEN THE NATION IS THREATENED is the crime that we committed for which we are being subjected to this punishment? We are unable to fathom the depth of the intellectual inanities of “Babus” who rule the roost in MOD.

We have approached all and sundry trying to resolve the issue but in vain. Senior veteran officers have written to the Raksha Mantri requesting him to find a solution for the present impasse; but again in vain. DESW was requested to throw light on the matter and we were advised that the matter was “under processing”. This was on 24 May 2016.

On 27-6-2016 Sri MBC Menon asked under RTI 2005 to furnish information on the subject for which a reply dt 1-8-16, clearly exhibiting the thinking of Babus which has been and is contempt towards the cause of veterans was received on 3-8-16.

Para 2 of the the reply said “the information sought by is not specific as defined under section 2(f) of RTI Act 2005 and CPIO is not supposed to create information/give clarification on the issue raised by the applicant”

It further says that the matter is “under examination”.

Hon’ble MPs, please note difference a.) GOI issues OM on 6/4/16 and pension is revised for CG pensioner b) within 48 hrs PCDA(P) issues circular to revise pension of defense civilians. C) the matter still “BEING EXAMINED” even after 4 months in respect of defense veterans.

Gentlemen Ladies MPs, tell us what you think about this. Will you accept such inordinate delay when the question of implementation of enhancement of your emoluments are concerned ?

Will Abhinav Mohanty Sir, MP and Rajiv Chandrasekhar Sir MP take up this matter in both Houses? Will any representative of the people, of which we too are part and parcel, rise to the occasion and speak for us.

Thank you in anticipation

Veteran JWO Sukumaran Nair

OROP – A ball game no one knows whose court the ball is in.
For the past two days there have been many high level meetings in connection with OROP.
ESM’s reps met the NSA at his residence where COAS was also present. This followed the next day with the meetings at HM’s where the above mentioned along with Mr. Ram Madhav of RSS.
The channels went on and on incessantly declaring that OROP will be declared on the eve of 50th anniversary of 1965 war with Pakistan which falls on 28 Aug.
This raised the hopes and blood pressure of veterans in equal proportion. Many saw a narrow silver ray
Of OROP SUN In the eastern horizon which raised hope . But by 10 pm 25 Aug, one channel , NDTV, again scrolled that the” OROP talks with Govt inconclusive. Veterans reject Govt plan” sufficient to shoot up the mercury level in the sphygmomanometer fastened to the arms of veterans.
Hectic discussions went on till late into the night but the hurdle remained where it was. The Govt was unrelenting so were the Ex-Service men on the core issues of definition, base year, date of implementation and annual increase of 3%. Govt wants to implement from 2015 with 2011 as Base year. This was against as agreed and approved by two parliaments and ESM rightly rejected it.
When 1.25 lakh cror can be so easily sanctioned from the platform of public rally what adverse effect a couple of thousand cror saved by way of cutting short the date of implementation of OROP will have on the economic health of the country?
ESM have given an ultimatum which expires today.
To add insult to injury Ors up to the rank of Hav have risen in revolt demanding that they be heard before a decision is announced. Balls come from different courts. God knows whose court the ball is in now!!
Parleys are planned for today, too. Will it be fruitful or wasteful?
Nation watches with fingers crossed

JWO ( R ) Sukumaran

Today, the 62 day of relay hunger strike of veterans for OROP, the agitation attracted unprecedented national attention.

The NDMC and Delhi Police to an unwise decision to evict the agitating ex-service men from the venue of their agitation, Jantar Mantar.  One wonders whose brain child it was. Mercifully, so to say, the decision was reversed by the timely intervention of MHA. Otherwise situation could have gotten out of hand.

There was an optimistic expectation that the PM would announce OROP In his speech on 15 Aug on the lines of the definition agreed and approved by the parliament. But the hope got shattered after the meeting with FM, on 12 Aug, who came with new proposal suggesting 2011 as the year of reckoning. This naturally gave way to the apprehension that dilution in the implementation is in the offing which was unacceptable to IESM. Meanwhile , the letter from former four Chiefs of Staff too drew serious concern among one and all. It said volumes in few words. May it serve as an eye opener for the Govt.

Eagles were eyeing the prey and trying hard to sweep on them. Political parties of all hues are trying their best to take advantage. Sri Manish Tiwari said that OROP was sanctioned by the UPA govt an funds were allocated. How brazen one can be. No wonder such blunders come from a person who can name a person fugitive when no case , no FIR, no legal action initiated against him. Mr. Sidharth Nath Singh of BJP, as usual, repeated the often heard cliché that OROP is a commitment made by PM and will be implemented. And personalities who cared nil for the past 62 days suddenly thought that they should express solidarity with veterans, so Sri Aravind  Kejriwal tweeted that OROP must be approved immediately, as if it was delayed  because he did not tweet till now. To crown it all Sri Rahul Gandhi, who had time to take up the cause of FTII students and lead them to the Hon President of India visited the venue after veterans sat in Dharna for 61 days . He was received with dignity notwithstanding some chanting “GO BACK” but was not allowed to make a political speech.

One really wonders as to why the Defense Minister/any other Govt Reps. Or some one representing PMO has not visited and assuaged the agitated Veterans  so far. Why is the Govt making it a suspense thriller? Surely we are not awaiting release of a Alfred Hitchcok mistery. Please shed the cloak of secrecy and talk to the veterans, they are a patriotic fraternity. Govt will only gain not by taking them in confidence. Don’t divulge, at least assuage their concerns.

The IESM has scrupulously stayed apolitical, in tune with the tradition of Indian Armed Forces .That is the true legacy of our defense Service and will remain so forever.

Lots of hope are pinned on the speech of the PM from the ramparts of Red Fort tomorrow on the occasion of Independence Day.

Stop press:

The press conference by Defense Minister today at 1530 hrs shattered all hopes till now nurtured. He said that there are” technical difficulties” but will implement the promise given  by the Govt. There is nothing new in the statement . Just repeating what he has been saying always

So ,OROP remains a mirage

 Jwo (retd) Sukumaran Nair RV