Monday, May 28, 2007

Fragging In Kashmir

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6691337.stm

Now, Frgging is a trend that all armies of the world have seen at sometime or the other when they faced prolonged deloyment in high intensity operational areas. The Americans faced it when their forces were deployed in Vietnam in the 1970s, Russians in Afghanistan in the 1980s, Indians in J&k and the NOrtheast in the 1990s and now the NATO forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are facing the problem. There have been numerous studies to find a solution. Unfortunately, masaic of one solution cannot be lifted and fitted onto another problem as each problem has different parameters determinig its seriousness. Besides, in each problem the socio-economic backgound of the soldiers was vastly different, damanding separate solutions.

Notwithstanding what I have said above, the fact is that 'fragging' is a reality and merits urgent measures to curb the trend. One of the ways to arrest the trend is stricter disciplinary actions and faster procedures adopted to punish the guilty. That is why the trial by a 'Special Summary General Court Martial'. There are other measures being implemented to curb the menace; like timely and frquent leave, welfare measures like family accomodation in peace stations for soldies deployed in field areas, better allowances to offset the problems of soldiers, to name a few.

The most serious efforts, however, should come from the political establishment as insugencies cropping up are a fallout of inefficient administration and corruption in governance. This was a major finding in a study conducted by 'International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), London and endored by our own think tank, the United Services Institute. The others in Europe and USA have taken these findings seriously and are addrresing the issues involved. We too are doing something about it i our own shoddy way. Lets hope our efforts pay the dividends we are looking for.