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Monday, December 1, 2008
India Happening
INDIA AHEAD ~ Some practical suggestions after the Mumbai terror attack on 26 November 2008
INTRODUCTION
As citizens of India, we would like to place some thoughts both at a micro and macro level which we hope might form a template/ way ahead for preparedness (God forbid) in a future attack/threat. Apart from being a mountaineer and explorer, I have trained in Mountain Rescue and offer some suggestions to which we will be very grateful if people would add their own practical suggestions and we will endeavour to send this onto the relevant Government Departments /Media so that some of the suggestions may be taken into formulating a policy to combat terror in the future.
MICRO POINTS:
DEMARCATING THE AREA: As seen with the Taj Hotel blast, the police were having a tough time in controlling people so the first thing is to have barricades/ tapes put up which demarcate the area where public cannot venture into so that police and paramilitary can do their job unhindered. Obviously, it is a good idea to have these barricades/tapes to also be of luminous quality or have yellow flashing lights for nightfall. The local policeman apart from wearing adequate bullet proof vests and helmets and state of the art equipment, should also be given electronic mega phones to make the announcements to the nearby public.
COMMAND VEHICLE: There needs to be a special vehicle which should arrive at these places which is obviously armed with sophisticated communication equipment and this needs to be the spokesperson to any media. (It was embarrassing to hear the CNN ask somebody from the authorities who after 12 hours itself said "the situation is under control as the forces have been sent in" at which point, CNN promptly announced this only to realise that this was totally incorrect.)
EMERGENCY SERVICES TO BE PRESSED INTO ACTION: It is very important to have a few ambulances and fire tenders again with state of the art equipment to be called in so that they are on standby and all hospitals contacts need to be with these Command vehicles so that more ambulances can be requisitioned in the shortest available time.
FIRST AID & CPR COURSES: Additionally, first aid courses along with CPR training (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) should be publicised for the public to undertake at least in larger cities so that they can help themselves and fellow citizens because we know that when somebody is injured, then the way a casualty is handled is sometimes the line between whether the person will live or die. Perhaps Youth organisations like the National Cadet Corp and schools and colleges and other civilian organisations like the Rotary clubs could be asked to take this forward. In fact, some people have voiced the need for our youth to undergo a one year compulsory Military Service but perhaps, we can even look at a 3-6 month module of National/Military service.
ANTI TERROR CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER: I think we need to establish a special telephone number that is manned 24x7 by intelligent people just like you have a number 911 in the US which is meant for emergencies. Currently, we are only able to dial 100 to the police and I think we need to go beyond this so that any citizen who finds anything suspicious can dial into this number and obviously, they should also have the capability hoax calls which may also happen through their systems.
SELECTIVE REPORTING BY MEDIA: As in this particular case, it was much too obvious to see that if the television media indulged in a 24x7 reporting, we were compromising the security forces tactical plans as everything was being reported minute to minute. This would naturally allow for the terrorists contacts to reach them by phone and inform them on what the forces were doing. As a responsible citizen, I am not interested in seeing a continuous live action specially if it compromises the situation in every way and it was also not prudent for channels to say that these were exclusive shots or first shots to score over other channels.
MONITOR TRAVEL ADVISORIES: The Government should also direct the Ministry of Tourism to immediately assess the travel advisories that are put out by foreign governments which essentially advise their citizens not to travel to the country which should be eased up as soon as the clear and present danger is over.
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR USE OF FIRE TENDERS: We often saw fires in the Taj hotel raging for quite a while before the fire tenders started their work. Obviously, apart from not having a quick enough action to reach the spot, we need to strengthen their training to react fast and at the same time ensure that all the water hydrants /points from where they can take up water are strategically placed all over the cities. More importantly, we need to ensure that these fire tenders actually do a reconnaissance journey in every part of the city so that they can enter every road and by lane and if there are unauthorised constructions that may have mushroomed, they need to be removed for free access to these fire tenders.
MACRO POINTS:
AT CRISIS, TAKE HELP FROM OTHER GOVERNMENTS: I think it is clear and no secret that whilst we have fantastically brave soldiers of our NSG (National Security Guard), the ATS (Anti Terror Squad) and the Police, we sometimes lack in organisational/coordination and rapid reaction skills as was displayed in Mumbai. Moreover, there are special pieces of equipment or skills that can come in handy. Therefore, when other Governments offer assistance, we should not consider it a loss of face or stand on prestige issues but rapidly accept this and create a sort of international cell that morphs together to battle the terrorists. If this was to become a standard practice with any nation, then the terrorist too would shake in his boots much more than presently, where he may understand that he is dealing with a more sophisticated international 'anti terror cell'.
SPECIAL ANTI TERROR FORCE UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS: Under the United Nations, perhaps, a special anti terror force could be created that could come to the service of all nations as and when there is a terror strike. This could entail a force which would have the state of the art equipment as well as sophisticated training, not to mention communication and intelligence networks being wired in. Then in the future, we could consider, having a certification programme for anti terror security and emergency response teams to set up all over the world with the same focus. Then, we might be able to deliver a body blow to Terrorism worldwide.
ENGAGE WITH PAKISTAN: This is a forgone conclusion but I think we need to open the throttle and change tack a little wherein we should try and ensure that Pakistan stabilises which will be good for us and a very sensible article has been written by Gautam Adhikari as an Editorial in The Times of India today. Read link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Editorial/COMMENT_Save_Pakistan_To_Save_All/articleshow/3770216.cms STRENGTHEN
INTELLIGENCE NETWORK AND OVERALL COORDINATION: Again a no brainer and as many people have been saying, we need to have one special dedicated agency that is created on the lines of the Homeland Security of the US and obviously, they need to be given the relevant powers to check citizens which will impact on our personal liberty but so be it.
POLITICAL PARTIES TO COME TOGETHER: Again, a desperate requirement of the hour, and only if this happens, would something like a special Homeland Security agency be created for anti terror in our country. It was quite sad to see that political parties are still obliquely trying to score brownie points on each other with an eye on the vote banks and one does not hear or see a major move by all political heads sitting together and in an emergency meeting and involving a plan of action. It may be noted that ever since 9/11 in the US and the blasts in the Underground in the UK, they have successfully thwarted many attempts and there has not been one incident that has caught the establishment unawares.
STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT TO BE PROVIDED: Needless to say, we need to give state of the art equipment such as Kevlar bullet proof vests and pretty much an analysis of the American/British anti terror soldier armed to his teeth would allow us to know what needs to be done. In fact, holding joint workshops with these Governments or a quick trip there or inviting their advisers here would help us understand what equipment is required and what budgeting can be done.
INCREASE SECURITY IN PUBLIC PLACES: Use of CCTV and other gadgets could be employed in sensitive places like airports, hotels, railway and bus stations, heavily crowded markets etc. being controlled by the same Anti Terror cell so that all is coordinated under one umbrella body.
SPECIAL EMERGENCY FUND/SERVICES FOR VICTIMS/HOSTAGES: It is a good idea to have a contingency plan for hostages or injured persons to be treated sympathetically and offset any expense that they may incur to either travel to their home location or in terms of medical treatment or clothing which may need replacement. Also free provision of mobile phones for use by affected persons to communicate to their loved ones. In the case of foreigners, the same special Anti Terror Special Cell personnel should be able to quickly coordinate with relevant embassies/high commissions to secure a smooth run with issues of visas, passports. Airlines to help with a priority return to their home country. This would also show the empathetic nature of our establishment.
HONOURING OUR FORCES: Again as has been voiced, we need to institute special medals and cash awards to honour the brave who lose their lives fighting the terrorists and this needs to be sensitively done in both conveying the news and sending the Government representatives to the families.
Mandip Singh Soin FRGS and Anita Singh SoinG 66 East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065Tel: 26912641Mobile: 9810087319Email: mandipsinghsoin@gmail.com Join our face book group – INDIA AHEAD
INTRODUCTION
As citizens of India, we would like to place some thoughts both at a micro and macro level which we hope might form a template/ way ahead for preparedness (God forbid) in a future attack/threat. Apart from being a mountaineer and explorer, I have trained in Mountain Rescue and offer some suggestions to which we will be very grateful if people would add their own practical suggestions and we will endeavour to send this onto the relevant Government Departments /Media so that some of the suggestions may be taken into formulating a policy to combat terror in the future.
MICRO POINTS:
DEMARCATING THE AREA: As seen with the Taj Hotel blast, the police were having a tough time in controlling people so the first thing is to have barricades/ tapes put up which demarcate the area where public cannot venture into so that police and paramilitary can do their job unhindered. Obviously, it is a good idea to have these barricades/tapes to also be of luminous quality or have yellow flashing lights for nightfall. The local policeman apart from wearing adequate bullet proof vests and helmets and state of the art equipment, should also be given electronic mega phones to make the announcements to the nearby public.
COMMAND VEHICLE: There needs to be a special vehicle which should arrive at these places which is obviously armed with sophisticated communication equipment and this needs to be the spokesperson to any media. (It was embarrassing to hear the CNN ask somebody from the authorities who after 12 hours itself said "the situation is under control as the forces have been sent in" at which point, CNN promptly announced this only to realise that this was totally incorrect.)
EMERGENCY SERVICES TO BE PRESSED INTO ACTION: It is very important to have a few ambulances and fire tenders again with state of the art equipment to be called in so that they are on standby and all hospitals contacts need to be with these Command vehicles so that more ambulances can be requisitioned in the shortest available time.
FIRST AID & CPR COURSES: Additionally, first aid courses along with CPR training (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) should be publicised for the public to undertake at least in larger cities so that they can help themselves and fellow citizens because we know that when somebody is injured, then the way a casualty is handled is sometimes the line between whether the person will live or die. Perhaps Youth organisations like the National Cadet Corp and schools and colleges and other civilian organisations like the Rotary clubs could be asked to take this forward. In fact, some people have voiced the need for our youth to undergo a one year compulsory Military Service but perhaps, we can even look at a 3-6 month module of National/Military service.
ANTI TERROR CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER: I think we need to establish a special telephone number that is manned 24x7 by intelligent people just like you have a number 911 in the US which is meant for emergencies. Currently, we are only able to dial 100 to the police and I think we need to go beyond this so that any citizen who finds anything suspicious can dial into this number and obviously, they should also have the capability hoax calls which may also happen through their systems.
SELECTIVE REPORTING BY MEDIA: As in this particular case, it was much too obvious to see that if the television media indulged in a 24x7 reporting, we were compromising the security forces tactical plans as everything was being reported minute to minute. This would naturally allow for the terrorists contacts to reach them by phone and inform them on what the forces were doing. As a responsible citizen, I am not interested in seeing a continuous live action specially if it compromises the situation in every way and it was also not prudent for channels to say that these were exclusive shots or first shots to score over other channels.
MONITOR TRAVEL ADVISORIES: The Government should also direct the Ministry of Tourism to immediately assess the travel advisories that are put out by foreign governments which essentially advise their citizens not to travel to the country which should be eased up as soon as the clear and present danger is over.
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR USE OF FIRE TENDERS: We often saw fires in the Taj hotel raging for quite a while before the fire tenders started their work. Obviously, apart from not having a quick enough action to reach the spot, we need to strengthen their training to react fast and at the same time ensure that all the water hydrants /points from where they can take up water are strategically placed all over the cities. More importantly, we need to ensure that these fire tenders actually do a reconnaissance journey in every part of the city so that they can enter every road and by lane and if there are unauthorised constructions that may have mushroomed, they need to be removed for free access to these fire tenders.
MACRO POINTS:
AT CRISIS, TAKE HELP FROM OTHER GOVERNMENTS: I think it is clear and no secret that whilst we have fantastically brave soldiers of our NSG (National Security Guard), the ATS (Anti Terror Squad) and the Police, we sometimes lack in organisational/coordination and rapid reaction skills as was displayed in Mumbai. Moreover, there are special pieces of equipment or skills that can come in handy. Therefore, when other Governments offer assistance, we should not consider it a loss of face or stand on prestige issues but rapidly accept this and create a sort of international cell that morphs together to battle the terrorists. If this was to become a standard practice with any nation, then the terrorist too would shake in his boots much more than presently, where he may understand that he is dealing with a more sophisticated international 'anti terror cell'.
SPECIAL ANTI TERROR FORCE UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS: Under the United Nations, perhaps, a special anti terror force could be created that could come to the service of all nations as and when there is a terror strike. This could entail a force which would have the state of the art equipment as well as sophisticated training, not to mention communication and intelligence networks being wired in. Then in the future, we could consider, having a certification programme for anti terror security and emergency response teams to set up all over the world with the same focus. Then, we might be able to deliver a body blow to Terrorism worldwide.
ENGAGE WITH PAKISTAN: This is a forgone conclusion but I think we need to open the throttle and change tack a little wherein we should try and ensure that Pakistan stabilises which will be good for us and a very sensible article has been written by Gautam Adhikari as an Editorial in The Times of India today. Read link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Editorial/COMMENT_Save_Pakistan_To_Save_All/articleshow/3770216.cms STRENGTHEN
INTELLIGENCE NETWORK AND OVERALL COORDINATION: Again a no brainer and as many people have been saying, we need to have one special dedicated agency that is created on the lines of the Homeland Security of the US and obviously, they need to be given the relevant powers to check citizens which will impact on our personal liberty but so be it.
POLITICAL PARTIES TO COME TOGETHER: Again, a desperate requirement of the hour, and only if this happens, would something like a special Homeland Security agency be created for anti terror in our country. It was quite sad to see that political parties are still obliquely trying to score brownie points on each other with an eye on the vote banks and one does not hear or see a major move by all political heads sitting together and in an emergency meeting and involving a plan of action. It may be noted that ever since 9/11 in the US and the blasts in the Underground in the UK, they have successfully thwarted many attempts and there has not been one incident that has caught the establishment unawares.
STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT TO BE PROVIDED: Needless to say, we need to give state of the art equipment such as Kevlar bullet proof vests and pretty much an analysis of the American/British anti terror soldier armed to his teeth would allow us to know what needs to be done. In fact, holding joint workshops with these Governments or a quick trip there or inviting their advisers here would help us understand what equipment is required and what budgeting can be done.
INCREASE SECURITY IN PUBLIC PLACES: Use of CCTV and other gadgets could be employed in sensitive places like airports, hotels, railway and bus stations, heavily crowded markets etc. being controlled by the same Anti Terror cell so that all is coordinated under one umbrella body.
SPECIAL EMERGENCY FUND/SERVICES FOR VICTIMS/HOSTAGES: It is a good idea to have a contingency plan for hostages or injured persons to be treated sympathetically and offset any expense that they may incur to either travel to their home location or in terms of medical treatment or clothing which may need replacement. Also free provision of mobile phones for use by affected persons to communicate to their loved ones. In the case of foreigners, the same special Anti Terror Special Cell personnel should be able to quickly coordinate with relevant embassies/high commissions to secure a smooth run with issues of visas, passports. Airlines to help with a priority return to their home country. This would also show the empathetic nature of our establishment.
HONOURING OUR FORCES: Again as has been voiced, we need to institute special medals and cash awards to honour the brave who lose their lives fighting the terrorists and this needs to be sensitively done in both conveying the news and sending the Government representatives to the families.
Mandip Singh Soin FRGS and Anita Singh SoinG 66 East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065Tel: 26912641Mobile: 9810087319Email: mandipsinghsoin@gmail.com Join our face book group – INDIA AHEAD
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