8 August 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. A closer look at beefing up Jammu’s counter-terror grid

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS3 – Internal Security

Context

The Jammu region faces increased terrorist activity, exacerbated by troop redeployments to the LAC. To strengthen security, additional Army and Assam Rifles troops have been deployed. Effective counter-terrorism requires integrating new troops with existing units, gaining local support, and adopting a long-term strategy for sustainable operations.

Background

• In recent years, the Jammu region has faced significant security challenges due to active terrorist activities backed by Pakistan. This has led to heavy losses for security forces.
• The weakening of the counter-terrorism grid in the Jammu region has been attributed to the redeployment of troops to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following the Galwan incident in June 2020.

Recent Developments

• Induction of Additional Troops: To address the security gap, around 3,000 Army troops and 500 Special Forces have been deployed in the Jammu region. Assam Rifles troops have also been inducted, highlighting the government’s seriousness in counter-terrorism efforts.
• Reports on Troop Movements: The media has reported on the movement of Assam Rifles troops to Jammu, and the replacement of Assam Rifles battalions in Manipur with CRPF units and establishing a counter-terrorism Grid reflecting strategic adjustments to strengthen security.

What Is Counter-Terrorism Grid:

A counter-terrorism grid is a strategic framework designed to combat terrorism by deploying military and security forces in a coordinated manner across vulnerable regions. The grid involves positioning units and sub-units in areas prone to terrorist activity to restrict their movement and gather intelligence. It is based on threat assessments considering factors like terrain, population inclinations, and potential infiltration routes. Effective implementation requires understanding the local environment and engaging with the community to gain support and gather information. This approach allows security forces to conduct targeted operations, disrupt terrorist networks, and maintain stability in affected regions.

Challenges in Counter-Insurgency Operations

• Local Population Dynamics: In counter-insurgency operations, the local population is typically divided into three groups: a minority supporting the state, a minority supporting terrorists, and a neutral majority. Success depends on sustaining the support of the state-aligned minority and winning over the neutral majority.
• Orientation of New Troops: Newly-inducted troops face challenges in acclimating to their areas of responsibility. Effective orientation involves understanding the local area and population and integrating with existing units to avoid merely numerical deployments.

Lessons from Operation Dudhi

• Historical Precedent: Assam Rifles units were previously deployed in Jammu and Kashmir in the late 1980s and early 1990s, achieving success in operations like Operation Dudhi in 1991. This operation demonstrated the effectiveness of allowing battalion-level command and control.
• Operational Control: Effective counter-terrorism operations require trusting commanding officers to lead. However, recent trends of transferring control to higher command levels have hindered seamless operational control.

Strategic Considerations

• Integrating New Units: New units should be deployed as integral bodies under existing command structures, not as independent entities, to ensure effective operations. This approach allows sufficient time for acclimation and integration.
• Long-Term Perspective: Security forces must adopt a long-term perspective in counter-terrorism efforts, avoiding expectations of immediate results. The focus should be on sustainable operations that gradually achieve stability and security.

Conclusion

• A comprehensive strategy involving effective troop deployment, integration with existing units, and community engagement is crucial for counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu.
• Trusting local commanders and ensuring seamless control are vital for successful operations.
• The security forces’ commitment to a long-term, sustainable approach will be essential to countering terrorist threats and achieving peace and stability in the region.

Practice Question:  Discuss the challenges and strategies involved in strengthening the counter-terrorism grid in the Jammu region, considering recent troop redeployments and the need for local population engagement. (250 Words /15 marks)

2. Court shifts the tide on stray dog policy

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity – Judiciary

Context

The Supreme Court ruled against indiscriminate killing of stray dogs, favouring sterilisation per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the new ABC Rules, 2023. This judgement emphasises constitutional compassion, scientific temper, and humanism, supporting humane population control methods endorsed by WHO, over unscientific culling practices.

Supreme Court Ruling on Stray Dogs Case

• The Supreme Court of India delivered a final judgement on a 15-year-old case titled Animal Welfare Board of India & Anr Versus People for Elimination of Stray Troubles & Ors, also known as the All India Stray Dogs case or AWBI vs. PEST.
• The case concerned the rights of municipal and local authorities to cull stray dogs to manage populations and prevent rabies and human-animal conflicts.
• The judgement, delivered on July 12, has drawn both praise and criticism.

Central vs. State and Municipal Laws

• The legal conflict was between State and Municipal laws, which allowed the killing of stray dogs, and Central laws, specifically the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2001, which prohibited such actions.
• Various High Courts had differing opinions, with some supporting local authority discretion to kill stray dogs, while others emphasised adherence to Central laws.

Supreme Court’s Final Mandate

• The Supreme Court acknowledged changes in the legislative landscape, particularly with the introduction of the new Animal Birth Control (ABC)  Rules, 2023, which align with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, to prohibit wanton killing and promote sterilisation.
• It directed that the governing law should remain the Central law (PCA Act 1960 and ABC Rules, 2023), prohibiting the killing of stray dogs.
• Parties with grievances regarding the new laws can challenge them in the relevant High Courts.

Constitutional Compassion and Duties

• The judgement highlighted the constitutional value of compassion towards all living beings, referring to Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution, which mandates citizens to protect and improve the environment and show compassion for living creatures.

Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution

Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution mandates that it is the duty of every Indian citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to show compassion for all living creatures. It emphasises environmental stewardship and ethical treatment of animals.

Scientific Approach to Stray Dog Management

• The Supreme Court endorsed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation for sterilisation as the only effective and humane method to control stray dog populations.
• A 2014 report by the Bombay Municipal Corporation supported sterilisation over killing, citing it as the only scientific solution.
• Historical data showed that killing stray dogs did not effectively reduce populations; for example, the Bombay Municipality killed 4.5 lakh stray dogs between 1984 and 1994 without reducing their numbers.

Promoting Scientific Temper and Humanism

• The article argues for adopting scientific methods and humanism, as promoted by Article 51A(h) of the Constitution, over unscientific and inhumane practices like culling stray dogs.
• The importance of maintaining the bond between humans and dogs, domesticated around 10,000 years ago, is emphasised.
• The Supreme Court’s decision is portrayed as a positive step towards a humane and scientifically backed approach to managing stray dog populations.

Article 51A(h) of the Indian Constitution

Article 51A(h) of the Indian Constitution stipulates that it is the duty of every citizen to develop a scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform. It emphasises fostering a rational and humane approach to societal issues, including respect for science and human values.

Practice Question:  The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the All India Stray Dogs case underscores the constitutional value of compassion toward living creatures as outlined in Article 51A(g). Discuss how this decision reflects the interplay between constitutional values and legislative frameworks in addressing animal welfare issues in India. (150 Words /10 marks)