Indian Army: News and Discussion

[venom]

10 yrs after Kargil, Bofors upgrade hangs fire

On the tenth anniversary of the Kargil conflict, the gun that did so much to facilitate that victory — the 155 mm Bofors FH-77B — could be staring at a major setback. With India’s artillery modernisation programme already stalled, the plan to refurbish and upgrade India’s old 155 mm FH-77B Bofors guns also seems headed for failure.

The reason: the Indian Army, long accused of framing its equipment requirements unrealistically, apparently wants the upgraded Bofors gun to deliver better performance than new guns in the market today.

The company that made the guns — Sweden’s Bofors AB, now owned by British multinational BAE Systems — has examined the army’s technical demands and decided not to bid, since the demands are unrealistic. Industry sources close to the tender describe it as “a high-tech wish list” that fails to recognise the limitations in upgrading a 20-year-old gun.

According to this source, “Some of the requirements in the upgrade for these 20-year-old guns are more extreme than the requirements for new builds of the FH-77B.”

The tender for modernising the Bofors FH-77B, involves overhauling the gun, fitting a state-of-the-art sighting system, and upgrading the barrels from 39 calibre to 52 calibre. The barrel upgrade will allow the guns to fire heavier ammunition, inflicting heavier damage on targets.

Brigadier Khutab Hai, Chief Executive of Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS), which partners BAE Systems in India, confirms, “It is true that we didn’t respond. We have given the MoD (Ministry of Defence) our reasons. I would not like to comment on why we are not participating, other than to say that some of the specifications asked for by the army cannot be met technically.” BAE Systems India declined to comment.

Undeterred by Bofors’ withdrawal, the MoD-owned Ordnance Factories Board (OFB) and the Tata group have stepped forward and bid for the Bofors upgrade programme. Neither has ever developed an artillery gun earlier. The OFB, however, has the technical drawings of the Bofors FH-77B gun, which were handed over by Bofors when India signed the contract in the mid-1980s.

In an interview in September 2007, then OFB Chairman Sudipta Ghosh — currently in CBI custody in a corruption investigation — had told this correspondent, “The Bofors gun has not been productionised (sic) here, but [Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur] has all the drawings…. and based on those, we have indigenised [some parts of the Bofors gun].

Allegations of kickbacks in the 1986 Bofors deal had made it politically difficult to manufacture the guns in India. Eventually, the US $1.4 billion contract ended with the purchase of 410 “made-in-Sweden” guns. The part that was really advantageous for India — the indigenous manufacture of another 1170 guns under transfer of technology (ToT) — never took place.

Attempts to fill the resulting shortfall of artillery guns have been stymied over the last decade by erratic procurement practices and unrealistic technical demands. Since 2003, through several rounds of trials, the guns offered by three of the world’s leading artillery manufacturers — Bofors of Sweden, Denel of South Africa and Soltam Systems of Israel — have repeatedly failed to meet Indian Army expectations.

For BAE Systems, the decision not to bid was a difficult one. It had set up a JV with MDS — with BAE Systems holding a 26% stake, the maximum permissible — primarily to build artillery systems in India. Last year the JV had written to the MoD offering a sweetener: if it won artillery deals like the Bofors upgrade, it would give the Indian defence production establishment a share of the work.

The OFB would be given the work of manufacturing the gun barrels; public sector Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) could make the sighting systems; while the gun trails and gun carriages (on which the guns rest, fire and move) would be built in the new BAE-MDS factory in Faridabad.

Despite all this, BAE Systems has not bid. Industry sources say BAE is confident that the OFB and the Tatas will prove technically unable to upgrade the Bofors guns. Their bids have been resting in the MoD since early 2009.

10 yrs after Kargil, Bofors upgrade hangs fire

 

[youngindian]

Infantry, special forces to get new-generation carbines and rifles

20 July 2009, 01:13am IST

NEW DELHI: In the dazzle of strategic missiles, fighter jets, nuclear submarines and main-battle tanks, basic Army's high-tech F-INSAS project also focuses on transforming soldiers into self-contained, fully networked, mobile killing machines. The 1.13-million strong Army is now on course to ink three deals for3,90,000 new-generation carbines and assault rifles.

Defence ministry sources said the aim was to seal the deals, worth around Rs 7,000 crore, `as soon as possible' to bolster the `combat potential' of infantry soldiers and special forces.

Interestingly enough, the first phase of Army's high-tech F-INSAS (future infantry soldier as a system) project in the pipeline also focuses on enhancing the `lethality and survivability' of foot-soldiers.

F-INSAS, in fact, wants to transform soldiers into self-contained, fully-networked, mobile killing machines, with a high degree of `situational awareness' and capable of operating in all-terrain and all-weather conditions.

Under it, infantry soldiers are to be progressively equipped with light-weight integrated ballistic helmets with `heads-up display' and miniaturised communication systems; portable visual, chemical and biological sensors; hand-held computer displays, GPS and video links; and of course lethal firepower with laser-guided modular weapon systems.

The biggest of the three deals to be inked is the project to buy 43,318 `close-quarter battle' (CQB) carbines off-the-shelf from abroad for around Rs 4,400 crore, which is to be followed by the indigenous manufacture of another 1,16,764 similar guns under transfer of technology.

"The global tender for CQB carbines was issued in early-2008. The deal should be inked within the 2009-10 fiscal," said a source.

Soldiers will find the compact and modular carbines, equipped with night-vision devices, laser designators and detachable under-barrel grenade launchers, much easier to operate than full-length rifles.

Under the second Rs 2,183 crore project, the Ordnance Factory Board is to manufacture 2,18,320 advanced carbines based on the new 5.56-mm model developed indigenously.

The third deal, in turn, is the procurement of 10,730 light-weight assault rifles for Rs 385 crore. Incidentally, the 10 existing battalions of Parachute Regiment, each with around 850 soldiers, have now more or less been reorganised into seven Para-SF (Special Forces) and three Para-SF (airborne) units.

But equipping these special forces, tasked with conducting clandestine and `irregular' warfare deep behind enemy lines, with specialised equipment has taken place in quite a slipshod manner till now.

Army, however, says the 40 specialised items earmarked for special forces are now being fast-tracked. These include weaponry like TAR-21 Tavor assault rifles and M4A1 carbines, all-terrain multi-utility vehicles and GPS navigation systems, modular acquisition devices and laser range-finders, high-frequency communication sets and combat free-fall parachutes, among other equipment, from countries like the US, Israel, France and Sweden.

Infantry, special forces to get new-generation carbines and rifles - India - NEWS - The Times of India

 

[nitesh]

Salute to bravehearts:

We aim for the heads of ultras

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday inaugurated the regional hub in the city wherein the brave hearts will be stationed. In case of a major crisis situation like militants taking hostage or taking over a complex, the commandos will be out there in flash. “Give us an opportunity and we will prove what we are made up of.

Either we kill them or they kill us and our targets are their heads. We do not settle for anything less than that,” smiled a NSG commando confidently.

 

[nitesh]

New Army cantts in Naxal-hit areas being considered

 

[I-G]

'Seven Services personnel caught for spying in three years'

'Seven Services personnel caught for spying in three years'

Updated on Monday, July 20, 2009, 16:59 IST

New Delhi: Government on Monday said that seven personnel of the Services have been arrested for spying in the last three years.

"Eight cases of spying have been registered in the last three years and seven personnel have been arrested from all the three Services in this time period," Defence Minister AK Antony said while replying to a Lok Sabha question.

"Nine Service personnel have been convicted or dismissed from 2006-09," he added.

The minister said that Pakistan based intelligence agencies have been found involved in spying activities against India.

"Regular awareness programmes are conducted to sensitise members of armed forces and their families regarding the threat perception and modus opernadi being adopted by the adversaries," he added.

In reply to another query, Antony said that in light of a CBI FIR against Director General, Ordnance Factory Board, the government has decided to put on hold acquisition from seven companies including three foreign arms manufacturing firms till further orders.

Bureau Report

`Seven Services personnel caught for spying in three years`

 

[I-G]

Supply of T-90 tanks to commence this year: Govt

Updated on Monday, July 20, 2009, 17:37 IST

New Delhi: Government Monday said the supply of T-90 tanks built from indigenously produced components will commence this year.

Supply of T-90 tanks through indigenous production of components will commence from 2009-10," Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

He said the Ordnance Factories have so far supplied 186 tanks by assembling semi-knocked and knocked down kits. These kits were sent from Russia.

India and Russia had signed a contract for Transfer of Technology of the T-90 tanks in February 2001.

Last year also, India signed a deal for procuring around 350 more T-90s from Russia and another 1,000 would be license-produced here at its ordnance factories.

Meanwhile, replying to another query, Raju said the Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is planning to produce 500 rail coaches in this financial year and will produce another 2050 in the next three fiscals.

Supply of T-90 tanks to commence this year: Govt

 

[venom]

Pak bunkers worry India

The ceasefire may be in force along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir, but that hasn’t prevented the Pakistani Army from building bunkers close to the border. The Indian Army, consequently, remains in a state of high alert. BSF officials said the issue was earlier taken up with the Pakistani Rangers but to no effect. Over 200 new bunkers were constructed by Pakistani Rangers in 2007; the number is only increasing thereafter. The activity, in fact, has picked up quite a pace after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Even as the infiltration from across the border has shown a decline and no major violation of ceasefire has been reported along the border, the bunkers remain a source of constant worry for the BSF.

Pak bunkers worry India

 

[I-G]

Chhattisgarh: 2 CRPF men killed in accidental grenade explosions

Updated on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 12:09 IST

Raipur: At least two troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and four injured on Tuesday when grenades exploded accidentally at a paramilitary camp in Chhattisgarh.

The incident took place at CRPF's 85th battalion, based at Nayapara in Bijapur district of the insurgency-hit Bastar region, some 450 km south of capital Raipur.

"It's an accidental explosion, the grenades went off during mock drill by CRPF jawans," Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) TJ Longkumer said.

He said the injured troopers were in critical condition and had been admitted to a hospital at Jagdalpur town, headquarters of Bastar.


Two CRPF men killed in Chhattisgarh in accidental grenade explosions

RIP

 

[jayadev]

Gen Kapoor meets Mike Mullen

Washington, Jul 23 (PTI) Army Chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor today met US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and is understood to have discussed issues related to defence cooperation between the two countries.

Kapoor, who is currently on a visit here, met Mullen and his counterpart George W Casey at the Pentagon and is believed to have discussed bilateral issues matters related to the region.

The two sides are understood to have deliberated on contemporary strategic issues, including Af-Pak policy and regional security situation.

The discussions are also believed to have delved on the Indo-US defense cooperation, including joint training and exercises, exchanges and military

fullstory

 

[RPK]

Army chief meets U.S. military officials

Washington (IANS): Indian Army chief, General Deepak Kapoor, has kicked off a dialogue with the top U.S. military leadership with meetings focusing on the regional security situation.

Gen. Kapoor on Wednesday met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and his counterpart in the U.S. Army, Gen. George W. Casey.

Underscoring India's role in the strife-torn Afghanistan-Pakistan region, he is also scheduled to meet the head of the U.S. Central Command, Gen. David Petraeus, for discussions on the situation in the region besides a wide range of bilateral issues.

The general would be visiting the CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida for talks focussing on Pakistan-Afghanistan.

Though India has kept itself away from any direct military involvement in Afghanistan, it has been playing a significant role in the rebuilding and reconstruction of the war-ravaged country. The Afghan Army chief also paid a visit to India earlier this month.

Gen. Kapoor would visit Fort Bragg in North Carolina, America's most combat-ready and active military installation. It is home to the 82nd Airborne Division and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. He would also be visiting Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, known as the intellectual centre of the U.S. Army, and the National Training Centre of the U.S. Army in Fort Irwin in California.

Visits to these facilities will provide the army chief a glimpse of the organisation, doctrinal concepts and training facilities for operational deployment of the US Army in a global framework.

 

[NSG_Blackcats]

F-INSAS Project of Army

The Qualitative Requirements for Futuristic Infantry Soldier-As-A-System (F-INSAS) is being finalized together by the developer and army, indentifying critical technologies requirements. Out of five major technologies for the futuristic soldiers, the following two have been projectised in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

(i) Design and development of Muti-Calibre Individual Weapon System.

(ii) Design and development of Air Bursting Grenade for Individual Weapon.

Integrated Management System with Public-Private-Partnership is contemplated in order to produce cost-effective system in large quantity.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Shri Prabhat Jha in Rajya Sabha.

Link

 

[youngindian]

India plans $8.5 billion for defence procurement this fiscal year

Thu, Jul 23, 2009
A provision of Rs. 40367.72 crores (US Dollar 8.5 billion approximately) in respect of procurement under capital acquisition has been made in the Budget Estimate for the year 2009-10.

A modernization plan in the form of Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP), 5 years Services Capital Acquisition Plan (SCAP) and Annual Acquisition Plan (AAP) is prepared with due consideration to our security concerns, perspective defence capabilities and equipment profile. The plan is prioritized in the light of operational exigencies.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri S S Ahluwalia in Rajya Sabha today.

F-INSAS Project of Army:.

The Qualitative Requirements for Futuristic Infantry Soldier-As-A-System (F-INSAS) is being finalized together by the developer and army identifying critical technologies requirements. Out of five major technologies for the futuristic soldiers, the following two have been projectised in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):.

-Design and development of Multi-Calibre Individual Weapon System.

-Design and development of Air Bursting Grenade for Individual Weapon.

Integrated Management System with Public-Private-Partnership is contemplated in order to produce cost-effective system in large quantity.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

INSAS Rifles to Soldiers:.

The INSAS rifle was developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) based on Army’s Qualitative Requirements. It was inducted into the Army after extensive trials in the years 1996-97. Since inception, design of rifle, has undergone five modifications as per user’s requirement to make it more user-friendly.

The Ordnance Factory Board is supplying INSAS rifles duly proved and accepted by the Director General Quality Assurance (DGQA), an agency designated by the Defence Forces. The rifle is tested for its quality, safety and strength, operational requirements and other rigorous tests as per the stipulated standards laid down by DGQA.

With the change in the operational environment to keep pace with new technology, Qualitative Requirements for a New Generation Assault Rifle of current technology have been spelt out by the Army.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply.

http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defensenews.jsp?id=3347&h=India%20plans%20$8.5%20billion%20for%20defence%20procurement%20this%20fiscal%20year

 

[venom]

Strategic Andaman&Nicobar military command floundering with low force-levels

NEW DELHI: India's first and only regional `theatre command' in the strategically-located Andaman and Nicobar Islands, created as part of the
national security reforms after the 1999 Kargil conflict, is floundering and that too badly.

There is growing disquiet among the top military brass about the unified Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), where Navy, IAF and Army assets are under the operational control of a single commander, especially with all the three Services pulling in different directions.

"ANC is in a bad shape. It requires many more aircraft, warships and troops but IAF, Navy and Army all remain extremely reluctant to part with any of their `assets','' admitted a senior officer.

Consequently, ANC force-levels have remained largely static since it came into existence in October 2001 as a result of the high-powered Group of Ministers' (GoM) report on "reforming the national security system''.

Consequently, India's last military outpost in the shape of ANC is making do with just a single infantry brigade (3,000 soldiers), barely 15 landing, patrol and fast-attack craft, and a handful of Dornier-228 maritime patrol aircraft, Mi-8 and Chetak helicopters.

This when a strong military presence in the 572-island archipelago is necessary to not only counter China's strategic moves in the Indian Ocean region, but also ensure security of the sea lanes converging towards Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes with around 70,000 ships sailing through it annually.

Navy, in fact, feels ANC should be `dismantled' and handed back to it since this `experiment in jointness' is clearly not working at present. "It's predominantly a maritime command with maritime threats. Would Army like to hand over its Northern Command in J&K to an IAF or Navy officer by rotation?'' said a top Navy officer.

Alternatively, the government should come up with a specific budget for ANC, either through the integrated defence staff (IDS) or some other channel, instead of leaving it to the whims and fancies of the Services.

But that might be asking for too much. Both the earlier NDA regime as well as the current UPA government have, for instance, not shown any sense of urgency about the GoM's single-most crucial recommendation — the creation of a chief of defence staff (CDS) post.

Apart from providing single-point military advise to the government, a CDS is required to effectively manage the country's nuclear arsenal, streamline the entire defence planning process and bring much-needed synergy among Army, Navy and IAF by resolving inter-Service doctrinal, planning, procurement and operational issues.

"In the absence of a CDS, tri-Service structures like ANC, IDS, Defence Intelligence Agency and Strategic Forces Command will continue to flounder,'' said an officer.

Strategic Andaman&Nicobar military command floundering with low force-levels - India - NEWS - The Times of India

 

[RPK]

Army short of 11,387 officers: Antony

New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) The Indian Army is short of over 11,387 officers, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha today.

While the Navy was short of 1512 officers, the shortage in the Air Force was 1400, he said in a written reply.

However, there is no significant shortage of Personnel Below Officer Ranks (PBORs) in the Armed Forces and nearly a lakh joined the army in that category in the last three years.

As many as 5033 officers and 96,453 PBORs joined the Army in the last three years while 1209 officers and 6792 PBORs were enrolled by the Navy during the same period. As many as 1451 officers and 21,311 PBORs joined the Air Force in the last three years, Antony said.

 

[venom]

T-72 tanks moved to remote Sikkim area after China tests Indian defences

Chinese moves to test Indian control of the strategic Finger Area in North Sikkim last year have prompted the Army to deploy heavy tanks and armoured personnel carriers in the region and strengthen defensive positions.

In fact, the highest gallantry award to a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel was conferred to a dozer operator, Zalim Singh, who cleared a strategic road near Theing village — he was decorated with a Bar to Shaurya Chakra — for a column of advancing tanks.

While the Army brought armoured vehicles to the North Sikkim plateau in the late 1980s, the small detachment has now been replaced by the heavier and more powerful T-72 Main Battle Tanks and modern BMP troop carriers.

Sources said the mobilisation took place after repeated Chinese transgressions last year in the Finger Area, a one kilometre stretch of land in the northern tip of Sikkim that overlooks a valley called the Sora Funnel and is considered a strong defensive position.

T-72 tanks moved to remote Sikkim area after China tests Indian defences

 

[RPK]

Army keeps hawk-eye vigil over snow-covered peaks


Batalik (Kargil) Jul 28 (PTI) Braving bone-chilling cold and high velocity winds, an entire division of the Indian army is keeping a hawk-eye vigil over the high-altitude mountain clips in Kargil and Drass sector and not vacating them even during unbearable winter.

The army stopped its winter withdrawals from the scores of high-altitude areas after Pakistani forces took them by surprise in 1999.

The Pakistan army took advantage of the Indian army's trend to withdraw its troops from the snow-covered peaks during winters and engineered an intrusion into Kargil capturing several strategic posts.

Even as the Indian army trounced the Pakistani troops and recaptured the peaks, they now maintain a round-the-year vigil over these areas.

"We are keeping round-the-clock vigil along Kargil and Drass sectors and the re-captured heights are now manned round-the-year along the 280-km-stretch border with Pakistan," a senior army officer told PTI.

 

[youngindian]

India tightens controls on arms buys

July 28, 2009

NEW DELHI, July 28 (UPI) -- When the deputy chief of the Indian army recently promised the Indian public and private sectors a "level playing field" in purchases of military hardware he wasn't talking about electric golf carts to take elderly golfers around hilly golf courses.


The carts, which cost about $243,000, were allegedly bought with money designated for electric wheelchairs in military hospitals and on track alignment reconnaissance vehicles.

Meanwhile, the India government announced major reforms to the country's military procurement program designed to speed up and tighten quality controls over the purchase of defense equipment. Decisions on modern combat and related materiel for the Indian armed forces are being delegated to a new committee under the Master General of Ordnance.

Defense Minister A K Antony told the Indian parliament: "There is no question of delays now. After considering security aspect, the committee can take decisions and can give money also. Now the committee under MGO can give all clearances."

Responding to critical questions about delays and the issue of sub-standard equipment, the minister said the government will speed up the process of Indianisation in military purchasing to bring more transparency and give "more space" for both Indian industry in both the private and public sectors. The Indian military procures some 70 percent of its purchases from outside the country, a figure that Antony described as "shameful and dangerous."

The "military" golf carts are just the tip of an iceberg of recent criticisms of India's military procurement program highlighted in reports by India's Comptroller and Audit General. Purchases from Russia have come in for particular criticism.

The CAG said 2,000 laser-guided 155mm Krasnopol-M rounds, which the army acquired from Russia in 2002, had proved unsuccessful. Bought for some $77 million, the comptroller's report said they had been acquired "without necessary evaluation." The critique was embarrassing because an earlier $31 million purchase of 1,000 similar rounds made in 1999 was also found to have been flawed.

India's purchase of a second-hand Russian-built aircraft carrier has also come under attack. The Admiral Gorshkov is due for delivery by 2012, though the CAG believes it could well be delayed, at a total cost of $1.8 billion. The final bill doubled, say Indian media reports, when the Russian shipyard escalated the price of its refitting in 2007.

The Admiral Gorshkov will turn out to be 60 percent dearer than a new warship, says CAG, adding, "The objective of inducting an aircraft carrier in time to fill the gap in Indian navy has not been achieved."

India is building its own 858-foot carrier to be armed with surface-to-air missiles, latest radar and an array of other combat systems from Israel, France and Russia.

'With this project, India joins the select club of 40,000-ton aircraft carrier designers and builders," the navy said in a statement.

The CAG report has also criticized the induction into the Army Aviation Corps of 40 advanced light helicopters -- designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited -- at a cost of $360 million. It says they are underpowered, limiting their range to 5,000 instead of the required 6,500 miles, which will delay the phasing out of the AAC's obsolete Chetak (SA 316B Alouette III) and Cheetah (SA 315B Lama) helicopters, reducing the army's operational efficiency in the mountainous Kashmir region.

Meanwhile, the Indian ministry of defense has ingeniously defended its golf carts. It says they "facilitate noiseless reconnaissance in close proximity to the enemy."

Jane's Defense Weekly, however, notes that more than half of India's 180 golf course are owned or managed the military -- most of them by the army

India tightens controls on arms buys - UPI.com

 

[I-G]

Paramilitary contingent leaves for Congo on UN mission

Updated on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 00:27 IST

New Delhi: A 114-member paramilitary contingent, including seven women, have been sent on an UN mission for performing civil police duties in trouble-torn Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa.

The squad belonging to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has replaced a 124-member similar unit from the same force which was deployed in that country for more than a year, a senior official said.

The new contingent, with a total strength of 125 (11 members sent in advance) have been trained in commando, VIP security and civil policing duties, he said.

The squad will perform patrolling and security duties, escort duties and will provide security to the Supreme Court of Congo in coordination with the local police.

This is the 4th ITBP contingent being sent to Congo. The squad will serve in that country for a year.

Paramilitary contingent leaves for Congo on UN mission

 

[RPK]

Indian Army assures security for NC Hills

DIMAPUR | JULY 28 : The Indian Army today said its main role in the conflict-ridden North Cachar Hills district of Assam was to provide “environmental security,” by moving into the hinterlands and put relentless pressure on militant groups so that they stop killing and harassing innocent villagers.
Briefing mediapersons here at 3 Corps headquarters, Rangapahar, on the situation in NC Hills following the ethnic clash between the Zemes and Dimasas, Brigadier General Staff, NK Misra said the Army was also trying to ameliorate the condition of the villagers by undertaking military civic action (MAC) programmes such as providing medical and educational aids.
Another initiative of the Army was to encourage the district administration to spread its wings and services to remote villages so that villagers do not feel a sense of neglect or alienation, the Brigadier said. Misra also informed that the combined efforts of the security forces including the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF and Assam Police and Special Police Officers (SPOs) had paid off as more DHD militants have been killed and arrested in the past two months than it had been in the entire year of 2008.
He further informed that every evening a joint control meeting was held between security forces and police in the district headquarter Halflong for “absolute coordination and synergy” among them.
According to the Army, the basic cause of turmoil in NC Hills was that various militant groups and other vested interests have been interfering in the multi-crore Railroad and East-West corridor projects, NEEPCO project and cement factory.
For the militants, these projects are “most lucrative for extortion,” and there are also those “disgruntled elements who want to keep the situation boiling,” the Army spokesman said.
On the difficulties faced by security forces in their pursuit against militants, Misra said the rugged terrain of the district was one major obstacle. Besides, there are also reports of villagers supporting the militants, he added. Among others, officers from the Media Cell and PROs including Col. Amrit Koijam, Col. Nirupam Bharghava, Maj. Anil Tripati and Maj. Pallab Choudhury attended the briefing.

 

[RPK]

India abolishes the army batman as 'abhorrent' relic of British Raj

To the Indian army officer, it has always been an essential perk of the job to have a batman — a personal assistant responsible for duties such as shining your boots, cleaning your weapons and serving your whisky at sundown.

To many Indian politicians, however, the post is an abhorrent relic of the British Raj, under which soldiers have to perform degrading tasks such as walking their officers’ dogs and taking their children to school.

Now the Indian Government has finally bowed to political pressure and ordered the army, for the first time, to prevent its roughly 34,000 officers from using their sahayaks, or assistants, as domestic servants.

“Sahayaks will not be employed for menial household work,” A. K. Antony, the Defence Minister, told Parliament on Monday. “Any practice that lowers the self-esteem is to be abhorred . . . In this context, it is always ensured and shall continue to be ensured that soldiers are not employed on any demeaning and humiliating tasks.”

Mr Antony was responding to a report by a parliamentary committee last year which said that using batmen as domestic servants was “demeaning and humiliating” and contributed to psychological problems in the 1.3 million-strong army.

“The committee take a very serious view of the shameful practice which should have no place in an independent India,” the report said.

A separate government commission also recommended cracking down on the use of batmen as servants among paramilitary forces under the Home Ministry.

Many MPs want to abolish the system, under which batmen are still officially obliged to answer their officers’ telephones, maintain their uniforms and weapons and act as their bodyguards. India is thought to be the only country in the world to maintain such a tradition after Pakistan’s decision to replace batmen with contracted non-combatant domestic staff in 2004.

Britain abolished the system after the Second World War. In India, the navy and air force phased it out several years ago and pressure has been mounting on the army to follow suit. Current and former batmen complain that they are issued with inferior uniforms, passed over for promotions and frequently humiliated by their officers, or more often their wives.

Army psychologists have also found that verbal abuse and perceived humiliation are among the factors accounting for a spate of recent suicides in the army.

Yet Mr Antony stopped short of abolishing the system altogether, in an apparent concession to army top brass worried that losing such perks could accelerate a brain drain to the private sector.

Instead, he defended the army by saying that it had repeatedly issued detailed instructions on duties to be performed by batmen.

He also backed the army’s assertion that a batman was a “comrade-in-arms” to officers, symbolising “trust, respect, warmth, confidence and interdependence, which are the fundamentals of relations between the leaders and the led”.

The army deployed similar arguments before the parliamentary committee, testifying that though batmen were not supposed to act as domestic servants, many did so out of “reverence”.

Some officers have also argued that civilian government officials enjoy similar perks — and often treat their staff far worse.