Retired DGP recapitulates 'counter insurgency' experience

Dr Ibocha Soibam *

Vigil for peace :: Pix - Robert Lanky

A review of BL Vohra, IPS (retired)'s book 'Tripura's Brave Hearts' (2014) by Dr S Ibocha Singh, IPS, DIG(R-II), Manipur.

BL Vohra was an IPS officer of 1967 (Manipur Tripura cadre). He was working in Manipur Police till 1990 as Vice-Chairman (now Managing Director), Manipur Police Housing Corporation. After that he was Director General of Police, Tripura Police from 2000-2002.

The present book 'Tripura's Brave hearts' narrates his successful venture as DGP of the then trouble-torn state of Tripura outcome from insurgent movement.

The book 'Tripura's Brave Hearts' is organised in eight chapters. The first, second and third chapters are all about the posting of the Author as DGP of the state and deteriorated law and order situation in the state on the eve of his posting and the prevailing morale of the force vis-à-vis the political stand of the state Government. It also gives an account on the history of Tripura, emergence of Tripura Upajati Yuva Samiti as an insurgent outfit and later on as a political wing.

Chapters IV, V and VI narrate about malpractices in the state which led to the birth of utter callousness in the state, the undesired merger with Indian union in 1949, training of UGs in Bangladesh, Islamic fundamentalists' assistance to the UGs. Chapter VI is on the nature of insurgency. It gives a detailed account on the insurgency movements and activities of insurgents in Tripura.

The core chapter of the book is Chapter VII of the book entitled 'The Fight Back'. He has got support of the Chief Minister in his fight against the UGs. His doctrine which made police morally determined and physically prepared as backed by the ruling Government is given in the book as "The next step was to discard the doctrine of use of minimum force" as it was civil police. It was decided that the police in this case cannot and will not follow this doctrine as the situation was extraordinary and the slow and use of maximum force was required". (page-153).

How he made police tough to fight the insurgents is given on Chapter VII. The very many steps taken up by him against the insurgents which made his fight successful is narrated in detail in this chapter. This steps are i) Fighting back from the hot spot, ii) Talk to SHO directly on serious crimes, iii) His personal visits to the place of occurrence of crime, iv) selection of competent police officers, v) security of the Police station with brick wall, vi) Deployment of special police officer (SPOS, vii) Deployment of Tripura State Reserve Battalions (TSRB) in the toughest interior areas, viii) Up-gradation of some sensitive outposts as Police stations, opening of new Police stations, replacement of .303 rifles by sophisticated weapons.

"Increase of strength of armed police is not a good strategy. It is the police station which has to be strengthened first, as real work is and can be done only at that level. So in Tripura we decided to increase the number of police stations and discard the old concept of having a small strength of policemen at each police station." (page 177), ix) Supervising officers were encouraged to go out and look for criminals and insurgents rather than wait for any information at the police station. Mobile check points instead of fixed nakas were introduced" (page-178),

x) Counter-insurgency school was opened and trained the personnel, xi) Improved investigation abilities by establishing a Forensic Science Laboratory, xii) Provisions of police given, TA, uniforms, BP Jackets, AK-47, INSAS, night vision devices, BP vehicles, effective communication was made, xiii) Encouraged the personnel by giving concern of their service matters by way of reward and promotion, Introduction of Policeman of the year Award, DG Commendation Disc etc.,

xiv) streamlined police administration by way of clean recruitment, promotions and increments, transfer and postings and introduction of new measures welfare, xv) Made police human right concern. "I had made it clear that no violation of human rights would be tolerated" (page-197), xvi) Normal police duties of prevention and detection of crime and maintenance of law and order was not neglected, xvii) The number of police control room, vehicles to patrol the city was increased. Motor cycles were also introduced for patrolling in lanes,

xviii) Judiciary was made co-operative to police, xix) Surrender policy was implemented effectively, xx) Government supportive role of media by making Police excellent relation with media particular by SP(Ops), xxi) Border fencing by 75% of the border area was made.

The last chapter of the book (Chapter VIII) is on 'Guarding the Future'. The state was no more under the clutch and turmoil of insurgents. However to guard the future is an intrinsic important aspect. As resentment outcome from the tribals turned into insurgents, the state required to give more concern on imparting education in tribal areas, improvement of road connectivity of remote areas, inclusion of tribal language known as 'Kokborok' in the 8th schedule of Indian Constitution, steps to improve health sector. In the end the police are required to outpace the terrorist in skills and in the way of anti-terrorists approaches.

The book is a dependable work of the police officers of all level in particular and the public inclusive of those who are in administration (Politicians and bureaucrats inclusive) in general. It will open a vista in regard to effective policing and maintenance of orderliness in the society through legal means and with process endowed to us lawfully.