This is with reference to Harwant Singh’s ‘In defence of Special Powers’ (IE, December 16). The extent to which soldiers should be empowered in insurgency situations has been a subject of much debate.

The complex conflict in the Northeast has been going on for the past six decades. It is one of our four major internal security challenges — others being Kashmir, Naxalism and terrorism in the hinterland. The human rights record of the Armed Forces in fighting insurgencies has been exemplary. There have been aberrations, of course, but they have been set right by the timely intervention of the authorities. However, the idea of continuing to empower soldiers with sweeping powers, as inherent in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), when conditions on the ground have transformed greatly since 1958, when this law was enacted, needs a review.

The insurgency in the Northeast is no longer rural guerrilla warfare restricted to the raids and ambushes of an earlier era. It is a politico-military campaign to maintain the status quo, so that the prevalent anarchy will sustain the welter of nexuses, of which the militant is the focal point. Thus the contractor-criminal dyad will pay obeisance to the leaders of terrorist groups in their respective areas of influence. While negotiations are being undertaken with the state, they are seldom successful. Instead, virtually impossible conditions are placed, such as unification of Naga areas. Given the chameleon-like nature of the terrorists in the area, giving soldiers with powers to kill is likely to lead to embarrassing situations such as the killing of Manorama Devi, forcing the top brass to rescue their subordinates.

... contd.