AFSPA, North-East
Sir: Refer the eye-catching title, `Tripura: Sweeping Powers to the Army’, and the contents in Orissa Post (30 May 2015), reported under `Round the States’. This is a case of unhelpful reporting. It is a public perception that Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is a draconian law, but may I point out that AFSPA, promulgated by the government in `disturbed’ areas, is for protection of the army personnel from unwanted persecution by the judiciary in the execution of their tasks.
A look at the statistics will clearly bring out the positive nature of its use, with rare exceptions. Even in such rare cases, it must be noted that the army applies its internal justice system effectively and in the quickest time-frame to punish the guilty. Therefore, a constructive manner of reporting the same news would have been `Tripura lifts AFSPA, which provided immunity to the Armed Forces from legal persecution’.
Having served in the North-East for many years, this writer is mindful of the ground realities. Certainly, the lifting of AFSPA in Tripura is a welcome development as the insurgency there is well under control. Army is not required to be deployed and hence AFSPA is unnecessary. Assam Rifles can well manage the situation without resort to AFSPA.
But the point to stress is, the media, a powerful tool to mould public opinion, should exercise self-restraint so that the public is not misled on important issues vis-à-vis dealing with the most disciplined and important arm of the nation.
Brig Suresh Nair (Retired), D 30, Sector III, NALCO Township, Damanjodi, KORAPUT
Autos, city
Sir: Everyday, we hear that the state capital is becoming unsafe for women, while cities like Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore are safe for the female population. Our auto drivers are a real problem. It is not safe for girls in the city to move around in autos as part of their daily work or study schedule. There are instances of such men passing lewd comments and making passes at them. Police stations are approachable, but it is unlikely that girls will go and file a complaint in case any such behavior comes from auto drivers. The government should confirm whether the drivers actually work for their service or not. Social media as always has risen to the occasion and is endemic with demands for justice.
Narendra Rout, Semiliguda, KORAPUT
