Frankly, this attack (once again) demonstrates the need for a proper paramilitary force in India. The CRPF, let's be honest, is a police force, not a paramilitary. They used to call themselves paramilitary, until in 2011 the govt put an end to that pretence, and re-classified them (and BSF and a few others) as CAPF. And that is precisely what they are - armed POLICE. You cannot expect them to undertake quasi military operations, or defend against a quasi military attack.
Though politicians will make a few noises about the "need of the hour" being to stand united, or whatever such hackneyed, hollow clichés they can think of, I think the real need of the hour is to make a proper paramilitary force in the country. Downsize the bloated CRPF, and instead, raise a paramilitary force trained in the basics of warfighting, instead of peacekeeping (which is what police forces do). Something like the Rashtriya Rifles. Many countries have internal troops that can properly fight military style.
The COBRAs seem to be raised as "commandos" (an overused term in India). What is needed is a large, properly trained force that can wage war on these insurgents. Yes, the long term solution is development, and yes these are our own people. But they operate in a military fashion, they conduct raids, ambushes (like this one), and are all trained riflemen. We cannot keep pretending that it is a law and order issue - it has gone beyond that. These are insurgents that can bring hundreds of troops at a place, can plan and organize assassinations, have vast intelligence networks of their own, and for all purposes, are engaging in war and insurgency against the nation, not just street crimes.
The police has done quite well in recent years, and the naxals are on thee backfoot. But how long should we take before completely eradicating them? Should we keep raising tens of thousands of policemen (CRPF constables), or simply a 10,000 strong paramilitary force that can do military operations for the home ministry?
The CRPF and other police forces should do policing jobs. Fighting insurgents with military style training should be done by a paramilitary force that has military style training. The armed forces should be solely to fight external threats, the paramilitary should be to do military ops in India for the home ministry, and police forces should be for policing - ie, maintaining law and order.
Though politicians will make a few noises about the "need of the hour" being to stand united, or whatever such hackneyed, hollow clichés they can think of, I think the real need of the hour is to make a proper paramilitary force in the country. Downsize the bloated CRPF, and instead, raise a paramilitary force trained in the basics of warfighting, instead of peacekeeping (which is what police forces do). Something like the Rashtriya Rifles. Many countries have internal troops that can properly fight military style.
The COBRAs seem to be raised as "commandos" (an overused term in India). What is needed is a large, properly trained force that can wage war on these insurgents. Yes, the long term solution is development, and yes these are our own people. But they operate in a military fashion, they conduct raids, ambushes (like this one), and are all trained riflemen. We cannot keep pretending that it is a law and order issue - it has gone beyond that. These are insurgents that can bring hundreds of troops at a place, can plan and organize assassinations, have vast intelligence networks of their own, and for all purposes, are engaging in war and insurgency against the nation, not just street crimes.
The police has done quite well in recent years, and the naxals are on thee backfoot. But how long should we take before completely eradicating them? Should we keep raising tens of thousands of policemen (CRPF constables), or simply a 10,000 strong paramilitary force that can do military operations for the home ministry?
The CRPF and other police forces should do policing jobs. Fighting insurgents with military style training should be done by a paramilitary force that has military style training. The armed forces should be solely to fight external threats, the paramilitary should be to do military ops in India for the home ministry, and police forces should be for policing - ie, maintaining law and order.
