Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Army versus police

This refers to the editorial "When army men run riot" (Jan. 3). It is shocking that army personnel led by a Lieutenant Colonel stormed a police station in Kolkata to forcibly free two of their colleagues. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that army men have taken the law into their hands. Something is seriously wrong with their training and discipline. The top army brass should give exemplary punishment to those found guilty.

C.P. Srinivasan,
Chennai

The way the army officers led operation lock-up break and rescue, it appears they have been seeing a lot of Bollywood movies of late. The two officers arrested on charges of molestation and their rescuers should be punished to reinforce that they are not above the law of the land. It should be a deterrent for others who consider themselves supermen.

Mohd. Salahuddin,
Mumbai

Nothing can be said about the behaviour of the army men or the police till the findings of the inquiry ordered by the army are out. To find fault with the army personnel on the basis of the police version would amount to prejudging the case.

There was a perceptible failure on the part of the West Bengal Police, which did not report the matter to the Eastern Command. It is quite natural for army men to rescue their comrades in distress. They are trained to do so. The police had no business treating the commissioned officers of the Indian Army as ordinary criminals.

Captain K. Natarajan,
Coimbatore

I disagree with the views expressed in the editorial. Civilian control of the armed forces does not mean that even a lower rank policeman can dictate terms to commissioned officers after violating protocol. How would the police react if a Sub Inspector puts an ACP or SP behind bars without informing their superiors even after repeated pleas? As regimental and unit spirit bind the men in the army, even a small protocol violation can lead to a big flare-up. Besides sensitising the army on the need to observe proper conduct, it is important to sensitise the police too on protocol.

Col. S. Vinayagam (retd.),
Bangalore

The police overreacted by arresting the army officers when they had no mandate to do so. They should have reported the incident to the army authorities and if necessary filed an FIR. Vandalising the police station was a serious matter.

There is no doubt that the army will severely punish the offenders who took the law into their hands. At the same time, it would only be fair to proceed against the policemen for arresting the officers.

Col. C.V. Venugopalan (retd.),
Palakkad

The editorial is unfair to army officers. The comparison of their behaviour with that of jawans who threw passengers out of a train adds insult to injury. In the given context, I only see the display of camaraderie among officers and swiftness of action. The need to maintain pride and dignity of rank is important in the army.

Not much has been reported about the policemen involved in the incident. What were the ranks of those who picked up the officers? Did the police follow the rules before picking them up? Did they pay the courtesies due to them?

V. Srinivasan,
Madurai

There is so much noise over the alleged ransacking of a police station by army men. It is quite possible that the story has been exaggerated. Army officers cannot be treated as goondas who can be caught by the collar and thrown into a lock-up by a Sub-Inspector or constable.

Throwing an officer in jail without proving his offence is the highest dishonour that can be inflicted on him.

Deepinder Singh,
Madurai

It is appalling to see the media holding the army officers solely responsible for the incident. Is there prima facie evidence that the officers indeed ransacked the police station, assaulted the policemen, and freed their comrades? How can the media assume the police version to be true? In spite of the law being clear that defence personnel cannot be arrested by the police, the casual manner in which a Major was arrested and the Eastern Command not even informed is highly condemnable.

B. Asokan,
Chennai

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