The Hindu Editorial Analysis 3rd Feb, 2021 - CSAP

The Hindu Editorial Analysis 3rd Feb, 2021

Booting out partial democracy
Relation with syllabus: GS-2-IR
Context: Coup in Myanmar. What should be the response of India ? How this coup is going to impact the
relations between Indian and Myanmar ?
Coup in Myanmar

   •   On February 1, the Myanmar army seized power and turned a partial democracy into a full-
       fledged military rule.

   •   However, it is not occurring for the first time. The Army generals took similar drastic actions to
       overthrow a democratic government in 1962, 1988 and 1990.

   •   Between March 2016 and January 2021, the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by
       Aung San Suu Kyi shared power with the military.

   •   Myanmar thus became a car driven by two drivers. On Monday, one driver ejected the other to
       take charge fully.

Why such step from the Army?

   •   To explain the military’s actions, its spokesman pointed out that there was “terrible fraud in the
       voter list” in the parliamentary elections held in November 2020, and that the Election
       Commission “failed to settle the matter."

   •    Claiming that this development would “obstruct the path to democracy”, the army declared
       an emergency, transferring all powers to Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing.

   •   Actually, in that election San Suu Kyi got unprecedented number of votes. That's why she was
       brought under suspicion.

Declaration of Emergency: Was it a legit move?
The decision seems questionable on legal and constitutional grounds.

   •   First, electoral issues need to be addressed and resolved by relevant authorities, not the
       military leadership.

•   Second, Article 417 of the Constitution empowers the President to proclaim emergency, in
       consultation with the National Defence and Security Council. It does not seem that the Council
       met or presidential consent was obtained. In fact, President Win Myint and the de facto head of
       the government, Ms. Suu Kyi, have been detained.

Army and San Suu ki

   •   Ideologically the two segments of the political elite have been at war with each other.

          o   The army has a sense of entitlement to power on the grounds that it secured
              independence, defended the country against secession, and ensured stability and
              development. It views itself as the guardian of the state.

          o   NLD leader Ms. Suu Kyi, the other protagonist, has always expressed admiration for the
              army (especially because it was established and nurtured by her father), but she has
              been a staunch advocate of democracy, a system in which the army should be
              completely apolitical.

          o   Specifically, the two sides have had modest to serious differences over ethnic
              reconciliation, constitutional reform, the Rohingya issue, and the China policy.

   •   Second, in political terms the fight is for power. The army has been used to exercising power for
       long, which yields it immense economic dividends too. Playing second fiddle to democratically
       elected leaders was a difficult role for it.

How should India respond ?

   •   Whenever democracy suffers, India feels concerned, even anguished. But the government is
       committed to the policy of non-interference in another state’s internal affairs.

   •   It is also guided by the national interest. Therefore, in managing relations with Myanmar, India
       will astutely balance its principles, values, interests and geopolitical realities.

On the alert, always
Relation with syllabus: GS-3-Internal Security
Context: Left wing extremism(LWE) in India and its annihilation
Recent happenings:

   •   The sad incident of an Assistant Commandant of the elite and highly trained CoBRA
       (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) unit, Nikhil P. Bhalerao, dying in an improvised
       explosive device (IED) blast in November 2020 has once again highlighted the need for us to
       enhance our intelligence system.

   •   The IED went off while an anti-Maoist operation was under way and also injured eight others.

What has been done so far to address the issue of LWE?

   •   Following the deaths of 80 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in
       Chhattisgarh due to land mine blasts in various incidents in 2008, the then Union Minister of
       Home Affairs, P. Chidambaram, ordered massive deployment of CRPF personnel in the left
       wing extremism (LWE)-affected States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal,
       Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

   •   With the law and order situation showing improvement in the Kashmir Valley then, the CRPF
       battalions were pulled out of there and inducted into the LWE-affected States, with major
       deployment being concentrated in Chhattisgarh.

   •   These newly inducted battalions underwent 12 weeks of induction training in Chhattisgarh so
       that they would be familiar with the terrain, the modus operandi of the Maoists, and the
       precautionary measures to be taken. They were also put through intensive firing practice. Soon
       the Border Security Force and the Indo Tibetan Border Police joined the CRPF and the State
       police forces in combating the Maoists.

But, again , recent incident of IED blast again indicates that some extra measures also need to be taken.

Measures needed

   •   The intelligence set-up in the LWE-affected States needs to be geared up not only to avert
       attacks on security forces but also so that they can be on the offensive against the extremists.
       (To launch surgical attacks )

   •   Extensive use of Belgian Malinois dogs could help in timely detection of IEDs.

   •   Drones, too, are being used as force multipliers though they have not been very effective in
       thwarting IED blasts. Efforts are on to upgrade technical intelligence.

   •    CRPF personnel should stay in pucca buildings as temporary huts are not only prone to
       attacks but also take a toll on the men due to the vagaries of the weather, though there can be no
       denying that there has been considerable improvement in recent years.

   •   There is the issue of funds too. Lately, against a projected demand of Rs. 114 crore for
       construction of accommodation, a meagre Rs. 33 crore was allotted. The responsibility of
       providing suitable accommodation to the Central Armed Police Force (CAPFs) battalions
       devolves on the States where they are deployed, though the CRPF has now undertaken this task
       on its own to hasten the work.

   •   Even after certain districts are declared free of LWE activities, CAPFs will have to be stationed
       for some years until the States rely completely on their own Commando outfits like the
       Greyhounds and the Jharkhand Jaguars to prevent Maoist elements from raising their heads again.