Friday, July 11, 2025
spot_img

Need for co-existence   

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

While it is accepted that the armed forces must be protected from unnecessary intrusions, since security is of prime concern, there is a case to be made about which areas they can cordon off from civilian use.  There was a time when the Shillong Garrison Ground was open to sporting events of various schools in the city. Suddenly the place was garrisoned off and became out of bounds for civilian events. No attempt was made by state governments since then to retrieve this venue for public events. Many national political leaders including the late Rajiv Gandhi gave public speeches from the Garrison Ground.  Today what is galling for the local public is that roads that could be used to divert the burgeoning traffic of Shillong city are all out of bounds. This arrogant exclusivity displayed by the armed forces alienates them from the local communities. As it is there are very few occasions for a public-armed forces interface. Even during the two most important events – Republic Day and Independence Day – when the Governor invites a cross section of society for the ceremonial “At Home,” there is a clear line that divides civilians from the military. The twain never doth meet and no one makes any attempt to cross that dividing line as if doing so would taint one or the other group.

Civilians are fully aware that security of the operational areas of the armed forces especially Signals Units and Air Force Stations is of paramount importance, but residential quarters within city limits cannot all be appropriated by the armed forces. An activist has taken up a PIL on this issue. But Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s decision to review the occupation of all such spaces that were hitherto allowed for civilian thoroughfare is a welcome break from tradition where spaces occupied by defence personnel within the city were almost sacrosanct. If service to the nation is the military code then people are an integral part of that nation.

Previous article
Next article
spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

22 Maoists, including eight females, surrender in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, July 11: In a significant development in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, 22 Maoists laid down their arms on...

BJP looting land, forest, water: Rahul Gandhi at ‘save Constitution’ rally in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, July 11: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday targeted the BJP, alleging that the ruling party has...

Centre plans Rs 1,345 crore subsidy scheme to boost production of Rare Earth magnets

New Delhi, July 11: The Indian government has drawn up a scheme to offer subsidies to the tune...

We missed no targets in Pak, not even a glass pane broken in India: NSA Doval on Op Sindoor

New Delhi, July 11: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday addressed the convocation ceremony at IIT...