Crush the Naxals

The recent massacre of paramilitary personnel in hands of Naxal Insurgents has brought forward certain basic flaws in our system. There is also a strong reason to believe that our security set up is nothing but a crisis management infrastructure. The comments of Union Home Minister are well understood but he has a lot of work to be done and begin from the basics.

From a layman's point of view following deductions can't be ignored:

• That there is virtually no coordination between the state and the central administration.
• That there is virtually no political consensus on the issue.
• That there seems to be no respect for central authority by the states.
• That our policy makers are not aware on the principles of the of use of armed forces in such conflicts.
• Certain quarters of Indian Air Force also seems to be confused in the use of air support.
• Naxals appears to be better trained and organized.
• Our state and central para-military forces seems ridiculously ill trained and organized.
• That police leadership seems to be completely unprofessional in tackling such issues.
• That there is too much of freedom of expression to people in India.

Series of events over the years have taken place that brings us to the above deductions. Our people are dying as cannon fodders and there is a sympathetic wave for these killers in the heart of our Capital. Imagine if it could happen in Delhi which part of country is safe. You cannot allow people on the name of democracy to speak against the very fabrics of democracy by justifying brutal killings.

Mr. Chitambram has a lot to begin with. He cant' afford to wait until the monster becomes too ugly to be tamed. Certain key areas where he can emphasise are:

• Create a core team of battle hardened ex soldiers, Territorial Army officers, scholars, ex bureaucrats, ex police officers, ex intelligence operatives and prominent citizens. Why ex is because they would have no personal interests in the bargain. This team should work as a think tank to the minister in evolving a clear strategy.
• Tell the states that their political agendas can not come in the way of national interest. Nobody should be allowed to speak against the national interest in the name of freedom of expression.
• Reorganize all our central para-military forces in a single force with various wings into it. We have plethora of forces and all confused on the specialist role to be performed. Create a centralised leadership, ethos and values. Pull ex short service commissioned officers of the armed forces to create a nucleus of junior leadership. Utilise the services of Territorial Army members in the entire endeavour. Create a system of lateral transfer of armed forces officers into the para-military force after colour service. This was also recommended by the Kargil Review Committee.
• Create an operational command head-quarter to coordinate all operations in Naxal affected states. Utilise military infrastructure for training the forces.
• Put all counter forces under a single commander who should also be fully empowered to deal with the issues. He should initially be an ex army commando.
• There should be no political interference in the operational functioning.
• Every state to have a state advisory committee to coordinate with the operational command but that should only be advisory in nature.
• Operational Command should have a dedicated media management cell to control any propaganda by the Naxals and also effectively using media in correctly disseminating information.
• Not the least, re-analyse the intake of Indian Police Services (IPS). It is not a bad idea that all IPS entrants should made to serve in the army initially for five years before being inducted into the police cadre. Another option is to allow them to serve as part time army officers in the Territorial Army along with the police service.

Naxalism has become such a menace that can't be ignored. It should be tackled with an iron hand and for that "National Will" is a must. We need to tell these forces that India is not the China of early twentieth century where state authority was brutally defeated by the Marxists. The Geo-Strategic reality has changed and India is out to play a leading role in the current world order.

(Picture: Google)

Do We Care for Our Heritage?

This is the same place at Alfred park in Allahabad where freedom fighter "Chandra Sekhar Azad" was killed by the British under a tree. Though the tree was cut subsequently, the place remained sacred for all patriotic Indians since then. Another tree was planted by the relatives of Azad but that too was never allowed to be worshipped by the British. The location of tree however, is still a mystery.

Post independence, a statue of Azad was erected by Government of India at the same location to allow people to pay tribute to this brave son of the motherland but unfortunately it has become a place for irresponsible citizens to rather disrespect the Hero.

A Request to Visitors

The Response with Shoes on

Dead Soldier is not a VIP in this country

An incident worth a debate has happened at Delhi Airport on Wednesday when eight serving Indian Army officers, all in uniform with their identity cards, led by a Major General were denied entry in the Airport by the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force). The officers were there to receive the bodies of Captain Devinder Singh and Naik Selva Kumar who died fighting the terrorists at Jammu & Kashmir. The officers also included a Brigadier, recipient of "Kirti Chakra", Nation's second highest gallantry award during peace time.

The officers as per Indian rules are not VIPs and thus, not allowed to enter without a valid ticket or special permission from the Ministry.Now interestingly, following individuals are allowed to enter the Airports as VIPs:

1. Spouses of High Commssioners
2. Dalai Lama
3. Robert Vadra (Son-in-Law to the head of a Political Party)

It is also interesting to mention that even the Chief of Indian Armed Forces were not included in this list till an year back who were later added after a lot of pressure from the media. But still, even our Lieutenant Generals are considered far below the status of Mr. Robert Vadra.

Imagine the kind of impression it would have created among people at the Airport watching these highly decorated soldiers not even allowed to enter a premises of their own country and that too for security reasons.

"Once Dead Always Forgotten"

This is the state of "New Allahabad Cantonment Cemetery", right in the heart of military presence where fallen soldiers are put to rest. One may also wonder, if it can happen under the nose of army than who else would restore the dead soldier's pride?

The Cemetery contain Graves and Memorials of fallen Indian Army soldiers who fought unto their lives to defend the honour of nation as far as south Africa, Egypt, East Africa, Burma, Afghanistan, NWFP...It is endless. Hero of "Rook's Drift" at South Africa, Major Broamhead of South Wales Boarders is also buried here. He was one of the Fifteen Victoria Cross recipients who were honoured with the the prestigious medal, a record for a single military battle in such adverse scenario.

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It has been published in Hindustan Times dated 22 Jan 10, page three of the economic supplement.

MY WRITE UP MAKES NATIONAL HEADLINES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND A MENTION IN THE ZULU WAR FORUM

BROKEN MEMORIAL (GRAVE) OF MAJOR GONVILLE BROMHEAD,VC ALONG WITH THE REGIMENTAL MEMORIAL OF SOUTH WALES BORDERERS

It is a matter of great satisfaction that my previous write up titled "RECIPIENT OF VICTORIA CROSS MAJOR G BROMHEAD FINALLY DOWN IN INDIA" dated 02 January, 2010 has made national headlines in the United Kingdom due to the kind attention of my friend Andy Cherry via Facebook. It has also been mentioned in the zulu war forum. Please refer the links:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/rorkes-drift-heros-grave-lies-in-ruins-1884349.html

http://1879zuluwar.talk-forums.com/general-discussion-area-f6/bromhead-s-broken-grave-t1659-30.htm#7032

Rorke's Drift hero's grave lies in ruins

Last resting place of soldier portrayed by Michael Caine in 'Zulu'

lies mouldering and desecrated By Jonathan Owen

"The bravery of Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead during the defence of the mission stationat Rorke's Drift in the Zulu War of 1879 has come to symbolise courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

But 118 years after the death of this British hero– famously portrayed by Michael Caine in the film Zulu – his grave at Allahabad, India, lies in ruins – the headstone broken on the ground, surrounded by animal dung and overgrown grass.

For his gallantry at Rorke's Drift, Lt Bromhead, of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot (later the South Wales Borderers), was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour – and one of a record 11 VCs awarded to the mission's defenders. He helped to command around 140 soldiers, of whom 36 were sick or injured, against about 4,500 Zulu warriors intent on destroying the post and killing the garrison. The battle raged for 12 hours before the Zulu attack was abandoned.

The citation for his VC stated: "Lt Bromhead shared the command of the defenders of the post with Lt JRM Chard of the Royal Engineers, setting a fine example and conducting himself with great gallantry in most trying circumstances."

Promoted to Major, Bromhead went on to serve in Burma during the 1880s before dying of typhoid at Camp Dabhaura, Allahabad, India on 9 February 1892.

Lord Roper, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary War Graves and Battlefields Heritage Group, said last night he would take urgent action to restore the resting place of one of Britain's best-known military heroes. "I will be contacting the British High Commission in Delhi to ask whether they can do anything about it. It is very sad that the grave of someone of such historic distinction is in such a condition," he said.

Brigadier David Bromhead, the great, great nephew of the Rorke's Drift hero said yesterday: "It's sad, and I hadn't realised it had got that bad. It doesn't surprise me, I'm afraid. Maybe it's a heartless thing to say, but you can't really blame anyone at that end – I suppose it's the inevitable result of the passing of time. I don't know quite how one deals with something like that, unless you employ someone to maintain it locally. I'll talk to the regiment about it to see what can be done."

The British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia (BACSA) confirmed that the matter has now been referred to the Indian army. Dr Rosie Llewellyn-Jones of BACSA said: "I am very confident that this grave will be restored in the very near future."

I sincerely believe that something would be done for its restoration.

POINT OF VIEW ON SUKHNA LAND SCAM

A point of view by Lt-Gen Harwant singh ( Retd ) on the Sukhna Scam

"On a piece of private land, adjacent to Army establishment (Corps HQ) at Sukhna, an educational institution was being planned. Law does not permit construction of any building within 1000 meters of a military installation. This law has been breached at innumerable places. At Badowal (near Ludhiana ) marriage palaces and other construction has come up next to an army ammunition depot, objections by the military authorities not withstanding. A number of villas have been constructed next to a very sensitive defence installation at Kasauli, inspite of the IAF taking the issue to Himachal High Court, where nothing came of it. A toll barrier has come up next to ammunition depot at Lalru, inspite of serious of protests by the army. The list is endless….

At Sukhna the concerned builder had approached the military authorities for an NOC (no objection certificate) to raise an educational institution close to corps HQ on private piece of land. This was just to make sure that at a later stage the army may not obtain a stay or seek demolition of the buildings, through the courts. This request for NOC was turned down by the army for security reasons. In fact army never issues any such NOC. After some gap, concerned builder once more approached the military authorities, for an NOC and on its brochure had the picture of the present military secretary (Lt-Gen Avadesh Prakash) who was shown as the future director of the institute. Being in a key position as MS at army HQ, he pressurized those at Sukhna corps HQ to issue an NOC. Thus it makes a case of gross impropriety and violates the purpose of the law which ensures security of military installations. Equally those who relented to this pressure have become party to this misdemeanor, which included two generals and few other officers. Gen Avadesh Prakash is involved in a similar case at Ranikhet, where in addition there are allegations of misappropriation of regimental funds.

Command Headquarters at Calcutta took a serious view of this impropriety (gross misconduct) and ordered a court of inquiry. The army commander at Calcutta has reviewed the inquiry report and recorded his recommendations. It is now for the army chief to examine the details of the inquiry report and the recommendations of the army commander and take further action. Ranikhet case is being dealt with separately by Central Command.

Military draws its manpower from within the country, where moral standards have fallen, corruption is rampant and a climate of loot and plunder prevails right across the national landscape. The difference is that this fall in standards is unacceptable in the military. That is how military’s internal mechanism searches out cases of corruption, misdemeanor and misconduct etc, (liquor, ketchup, local purchase frauds, moral turpitude and Sukhna like cases, violators of civil rights etc types,) irrespective of the rank of the miscreant and apply to these the rigors of military law. It is not that every crook is caught. Some do manage to hoodwink the system but their number is minimal.

The process of application of Military Law has well defined set of rules and procedures and these cannot be short circuited without prejudicing the legal position. No senior commanders in the chain of command is expected to show undue interest is a case while under investigation and being dealt with at the lower level. Military’s justice system is not only prompt but eminently fair and this is borne by the fact that not more than 4 to 5 % of the military’s cases are reversed by the high courts/supreme court and that percentage is far less than judgments of lower courts reversed by the higher judiciary

The RM and the media ought to be aware of this. Therefore, RM’s, summoning the Army Chief and telling him that severe disciplinary action ( in the interest of morale of the army etc ) should be taken against officers involved in Sukhna and Ranikhet cases, tend to subvert the military’s legal system. Eastern Army Commander is known for his sense of propriety, probity and fairness. It was best to have left the case to his judgment at that stage. What, if the President of India was to call upon the Chief Justice of India to dole out severe punishment in a particular case or take a lenient view! Now that the case has comes up before the Army Chief and the RM, they can .do whatever is proper: keeping in focus the evidence on record, nature of the case and army commander’s recommendations.

Nor should the RM try to link this need for action against these officers with the morale of troops. Morale is an area and domain entirely the province of the Army Chief and his officers. What one expected the RM to do, if he wanted to make morale of troops and officers his concern as well, was to look carefully at the, distortions and disparities brought about by the Sixth Pay Commission, as these relate to the defence services and which have adversely impacted the morale of troops and veterans and not left this vital issue in the hands of the bureaucrats, who in the first place are the ones to bring about the distortions. In this important area of his direct concern, the RM has singularly failed.

Handing over the case to the CBI will achieve double purpose. One, it will put it on a long drive. Two, it will not be possible to build a legal case against the officer (s) under the civil law, for what they did.

Military does take prompt disciplinary action against offenders, when and where they are detected, irrespective of the rank. But do look at the MoD, which oversees the military. Bhatnagar, as the defence secretary was charge sheeted by the CBI in the Bofors case and instead of taking legal action against him, he was moved as Lt-Governor to Sikkim, placing him beyond the reach of the Indian Law. Another defence secretary, Ajit Kumar was indicted by the Delhi high court for tampering with the service record of a senior IAF officer, which had resulted in denial of promotion to him. Instead of taking legal action against him he was merely shifted to another ministry. Yet another defence secretary was involved in a shady deal in the purchase of one lakh rifles for the army when no ammunition for these was available anywhere in the world and for years these rifles remained rotting in the depots. No action was taken against him. (It is only when he moved as chief secretary to Tamil Nadu and tried the old MoD tricks that Iron Lady put him behind bars.) Had such misdemeanors been committed by a military officer, the full weight of the military law would have been applied on him.

So it is best to leave the army to deal with such cases. Media, both print and electronic, whatever its compulsions, should refrain from sensationalizing such cases, for they serve no useful purpose except highlight its own naivety. Now that we are on this subject of dealing with such cases, the media may as well tell us what action has been taken against all those officers of the MoD, involved in the Tehelka Sting Operation. Additional secretary who took a gold chain from the Tehelka team was promoted, because, we are told, and hold your breath, he did not take the chain home but kept it in the safe in his office! While all the army officers involved in the case were dealt with without delay, interference by civil courts not with standing. One of then ending up behind bars and others faced various degrees of disciplinary actions. In one case a general officer was merely entertained to a dinner by the Tehlka Team and that was enough to end, his otherwise bright career.

THE END"

Happy Republic Day to All.....

RECIPIENT OF VICTORIA CROSS MAJOR GONVILLE BROMHEAD FINALLY DOWN IN INDIA

SIDE VIEW: BROKEN MEMORIAL (GRAVE) OF MAJOR GONVILLE BROMHEAD,VC ALONG WITH THE REGIMENTAL MEMORIAL OF SOUTH WALES BORDERERS

BACK VIEW

ENGRAVING OF BROKEN STONE

CLOSE VIEW

Hero of Rorke’s Drift, Major Gonville Bromhead, V.C. of the 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment (later South Wales Borderers) might have never imagined during his life span that one day his Memorial at grave in "The New Cantonment Cemetery, Allahabad, India" would be left broken on the earth surrounded by animal waste. This is what the beautifully sculpted historical monument stands today at Allahabad completely in a bizarre condition. To all, it gives a feeling of shame after visiting this site; one may also think on the fate of a gallantry soldier sacrificing his life for the honour and pride of the nation. That one day, the same nation would put your honour in the dust. Major Gonville Bromhead was not a politician rather a true patriot who obeyed the will of the nation in the highest tradition. A true soldier of the great Army, for whose deeds, the entire nation owes a lot.

Gonville Bromhead was born in Versailles, France to Sir Edmund de Gonville Bromhead Bart and Judith Christine (née Wood) daughter of James Wood Esq. of Woodville, Sligo. He was educated at Magnus Grammar School, Newark, joined the 24th Regiment as an Ensign on the 20th April, 1867. Served in the South African War of 1877 to 1879, he was mentioned in Dispatches (London Gazette dated 1st March and 15th March, 1879). Promoted to Captain and was given the Brevet of a Major. He also received the South African Medal with clasp as well as being awarded the Victoria Cross.

He died of typhoid at Camp Dabhaura, Allahabad, India on 9th. February 1892 and was buried at Plot B-1, Grave 66, New Cantonment Cemetery, Allahabad, India. A Memorial with a plaque in the Havard Chapel and his name on the colour pole in Brecon Cathedral. Other Memorials at Magnus Grammar School, Newark on Trent and in Thurlby Church, Lincolnshire.

Alongside the Grave at Allahabad Cemetery is The 24th Regiment Memorial with the engraving of following Veterans from the Anglo-Zulu War:

Lieut. Col. J.J. Harvey DSO

Major G. Bromhead VC
Sergeant J.A. Whellor
Drummer D. Kinchenton
Private A. Ker
Private T. Mitchell

(Other names are however, too difficult to read)

His Digest of Citation reads “On 22nd and 23rd January, 1879 at Rourke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Lieutenant Bromhead shared the command of the defenders of the post with Lieutenant J.R.M. Chard (Reg No.203) of the Royal Engineers, setting a fine example and conducting himself with great gallantry in most trying circumstances.”

The London Gazette 2nd May, 1879 mentioned “Lieut. Chard, Royal Engineers, and Lieut. Gonville S. Bromhead, 2nd Battn. 24th Regt. For their gallant conduct at the defence of Rourke's Drift, on the occasion of the attack by the Zulus on the 22nd and 23rd of June, 1879.The Lieut. General commanding the troops, in his report, stated that if it was not for the fine conduct and excellent behaviour of these two officers under the most trying circumstances, the defence of Rorke's Drift post would not have been conducted with that intelligence and tenacity which so essentially characterised it. He was presented with his Victoria Cross at a ceremony held on the 22nd of August 1879 at Utrecht, Holland by Sir Garnet Wolseley. Major Bromhead served in the Burmese Expedition of 1885 and 1887-9 receiving the Medal and two clasps.”

Battle: The Defence of Rorke's Drift, 22nd and 23rd of January, 1879 South Africa “In January 1879 the British invaded KwaZulu in South Africa, without the sanction of the Home Government, in a war brought about by the misguided policy of "Confederating" Southern Africa under the direction of the Governor-General Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere. The fiercely independent AmaZulu people refused to lay down their arms and accept British rule over the Sovereign Kingdom. The British General Officer Commanding, Lord Chelmsford, despite having abundant military intelligence on the AmaZulu, had a misconceived idea of the fighting prowess of his enemy. The result was that on 22nd January a British force of seventeen hundred strong, was attacked and only some four hundred men, of whom only some eighty Europeans, survived at a place called Isandhlwana.

Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande commanded an impi, the Undi 'corps' of 4,500. His men had played little part in the action at Isandhlwana, but goaded on by his men, and despite the orders of his brother, King Cetshwayo kaMpande, not to cross the Buffalo River into Natal, he chose to attack the British supply base close to a river crossing known as Rorke's Drift, which the AmaZulu called KwaJimu.
The post was established in a trading store-cum-mission station that consisted of a dwelling house and a chapel, both sturdily built of stone. The house was doing temporary duty as a field hospital, the chapel was full of stores and there were only 104 men who were fit enough to fight. The command of the post had passed to Lieutenant Chard of the Royal Engineers, when Major Henry Spalding of the 104th Regiment left on the morning of the 22nd January. Commanding a company-strength was Lieutenant Bromhead of the 24th Regiment.* James Langley Dalton, a volunteer serving as an Acting Assistant Commissary and a former Staff Sergeant, ordered the construction of barricades connecting the two buildings with sacks of corn, and an inner barricade with biscuit boxes.
When the Zulus attacked, wielding their short stabbing assegais, they were unable to reach the men behind the barricades and they were blasted by rifle fire at point blank range. Most of those who did mount the breastwork were repulsed by the bayonets of the defenders. Some of the Zulus were armed with rifles, purchased from unscrupulous traders, but they were not trained marksmen and the British soldiers were able to pick them off at long range.
After a number of unsuccessful attacks the Zulus set fire to the hospital, burst in and began to spear the patients. A private named Alfred Henry Hook, a Gloucestershire man, kept them at bay with his bayonet while his friend John Williams hacked holes in the wall separating one room from another and dragged the patients through one by one, the last man had dislocated his knee. Williams had to break the other to get him out of a window and into the yard where the barricades offered some protection.
Fighting went on all night in the fitful glare from the blazing hospital as the Zulus made charge after charge on the barricades. Both sides fought with desperate courage. A patient from the hospital, a Swiss born adventurer Christian Ferdnand Schiess, stabbed three Zulus in quick succession after he had clambered over the breastwork. In the yard Surgeon James Henry Reynolds tended to the wounded, oblivious to the life and death struggle going on all around him. Those too badly hurt to shoot propped themselves up as best they could and reloaded the guns, and re-supplied ammunition to those who were still on their feet.
When dawn came at last, the Zulus drew off taking their wounded with them and leaving at least 351 dead around the barricades. Later Lord Chelmsford arrived on the scene with a column of British Soldiers.
Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead were both awarded the Victoria Cross, as were the redoubtable privates Alfred Hook, Frederick Hitch, Robert Jones, William Jones, Corporal Allen, James Langley Dalton and Pte. John Williams. Surgeon Reynolds got the Cross for tending the wounded under fire; and the Swiss volunteer Christian Schiess - the first to a soldier serving with South Africa forces.”

(Film titled "ZULU" is based on this operation)

(Published by the team of "Indian Analysis" in the absence of Surender Singh)

(Source: http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/index.html)