“DIE HARD” AT MUMBAI
Those who have seen the movie “Die Hard” have a parallel in modus
operandi of the terrorists in Mumbai. It is highly unlikely we have the police
organization depicted, or the professional toughness of the super hero to
bring all the terrorists to book. In America Die Hard happens in Hollywood
studious and generally not in American cities after 9/11. We have to have a
capable, professional police force with separation and specialization for
Crime, Law and Order, Computer and Forensics, Investigation and interrogation,
Negotiations with Kidnappers etc using modern equipment and sharing in
internal world wide up to date intelligence. Most importantly, as propounded by
our Supreme Court, isolated from the political establishment and politics!
There has to be policy laid down for coordination between various agencies
like Rapid Action Forces, Emergency Services, Defence Forces, TV and the Media,
which entails setting up temporary Command Centers and a designated Officer in
Charge for overall responsibility and coordination at the Site, so there is no
confusion till all the organizations can function with full capacity. There
have to be mock drills held from time to time to test out the organization and
improve/update it. This will entail complete revamp of all the organizations
from recruitment to training to weeding out the incompetent and
indoctrinated/suspicious elements. With Sadvis and army officers getting
polarized, the situation is getting alarmingly complicated and dangerous. With
the world in recession, and India relatively comfortably placed, there will be
those who want to use this opportunity to bring India to its knees, rather than
accelerate to a superpower.
The Media must report and inform. It is obvious that the terrorists will
have mobile phones and their headquarters/control centers watching the drama
unfold. Surely they
must not be informed about the forces that are being brought to bear, where and
how? It is imperative commandos obtain surprise, and their and other lives are
not further risked television channels, one trying to outdo the other with
crucial leaks and information for TRP ratings in such life and death
situations! They also keep repeating the same gory details with inane questions
to different authorities which are many times “not on the same frequency”.
Surely there must be an official spokesperson for statements that are quoted by
foreign reporters updating their channels that come out at variance by what we
are seeing on the various Indian channels! Even in the absence of our special
forces having such organization and backup(Remember Kargill where brave ill
equipped forces did the job), the job was done splendidly!
Since Mumbai is the headquarters of the Western Fleet and its Dockyards
and other vital Institutions to our projected sea power are located there,
navy now taking on the well organized and well funded international Sea
Pirates, I’m afraid these maybe on the hit list next, and will have to be
doubly protected at all times with heightened security and awareness. With the
Defense Minister pulling up our naval chief who had the courage to stand up
against the wrong done in pay parity with civilian counterparts, and now I hear
permission has to be taken before engaging sea pirates hijacking vessels
/before even firing in self defence, I wonder what our stone age geriatric
bosses ( most lacking in moralty and courage) who cannot take tough
decisions,will come out with!There is no alternative to professionalism and
good organization with Prevention better than Cure attitude.
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