With multipronged strategy of the Central and State Governments specially in the last few years, the naxalite problem has been resolved to a large extent in the affected states of the country. However, there are a few pockets in certain states where naxalite problem still persists, mainly due to involvement of foreign countries. Rohit is posted as SP (Special Operations) for the last one year, in one of the districts which is still affected by the naxalite problem. The district administration has taken a lot of developmental works in the recent past in the naxalite affected areas to win the hearts and minds of the people. Over a period of time, Rohit has established an excellent intelligence network to get the real time information regarding the movement of naxalite cadre. To instill confidence in the public and have moral ascendancy over the naxalites, a number of cordons and search operations are being conducted by the police. Rohit, who himself was leading one of the contingents got a message though his intelligence source that about ten hard core naxalites were hiding in a particular village with sophisticated weapons. Without wasting any time, Rohit reached the target village with his team and laid out a foolproof cordon and started carrying out a systematic search. During the search, his team managed to overpower all the naxalites along with their automatic weapons. However, in the meantime, more than five hundred tribal women surrounded the village and started marching towards the target house. They were shouting and demanding the immediate release of insurgents since they are their protectors and saviours. The situation on the ground was becoming very critical as the tribal women were extremely agitated and aggressive. Rohit tried to contact his superior officer, IG (Special Operations) of the state on the radio set and on mobile phone, but failed to do so due to poor connectivity Rohit was in great dilemma since out of the naxalites apprehended, two were not only hard core top insurgents with prize money of & ten lakhs on their heads, but were also involved in a recent ambush on the security forces. However, if he did not release the naxalites, the situation could get out of control since the tribal women were aggressively charging towards them. In that case, to control the situation Rohit might have to resort to firing which may lead to valuable loss of lives _of civilians and would further complicate the situation. (a)What are the options available with Rohit to cope with the situation? (b)What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rohit ? (c)Which of the options, do you think, would be more appropriate for Rohit to adopt and why? (d)In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the police in dealing with women protesters? (Answer in 250 words) (UPSC Mains 2024 GS4 Ethics Paper)
Naxalism remains a significant internal security challenge in India, deeply rooted in socio-economic grievances. This case study highlights the ethical and operational complexities faced by police officers like Rohit, where balancing justice, law enforcement, and community trust becomes crucial.
Options available with Rohith to cope with the situation are:
- Release the Naxalites: This may de-escalate the situation immediately, but compromises justiceand rule of law, violating the ethical principle of Kantian duty.
- Negotiate with the Women: Rohit could demonstrate empathy, patience, and non-violenceby explaining legal consequences, urging peaceful dispersion.
- Use Non-lethal Force: Employing non-lethal measures like tear gas shows prudenceand respect for human rights, balancing utilitarianism by minimizing harm while maintaining public order.
- Wait for Reinforcements: Waiting for backup demonstrates temperanceand strategic thinking, ensuring that due process is followed while preventing unnecessary escalation.
- Strategic Retreat: A temporary retreat would show wisdomand foresight, prioritizing the value of life and avoiding immediate confrontation, in line with virtue ethics.
b) The ethical dilemmas being faced by Rohit are:
- Rule of law vs. public safety: Rohit must balance his duty to uphold the law with ensuring the safety of civilians, especially the women protestors.
- Use of force vs. Non-violence: Using force may save his team and enforce the law, but at the cost of civilian lives, which raises serious ethical concerns.
- Professional duty vs. Human rights: Rohit’s professional responsibility to arrest criminal’s conflicts with the potential violation of human rights if force is used.
- Short-term gains vs. Long-term consequences: Releasing Naxalites may calm the immediate situation but could strengthen insurgency in the long term.
- Accountability vs. Expediency: Failing to act decisively might lead to criticism, but rushing into decisions might result in irreversible harm.
c) The most ethical and practical course of action for Rohit would be Option 3: Negotiating with the tribal women.This aligns with the principles of Gandhian non-violenceand utilitarian ethics, aiming for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. By engaging in dialogue, Rohit can emphasize the legal consequences of insurgency while showing empathy to the local community’s concerns. He could also offer assurances of fair trials and discuss how the apprehension of Naxalites aligns with the region’s long-term peace and development goals. This approach not only minimizes violence but also builds trust with the local populace, fostering long-term cooperation.
Using force could irreversibly damage relations with the community, while standing ground without action risks losing control. Negotiation allows for a balanced, ethical solution that upholds justice without compromising on human rights.
d) Extra Precautionary Measures for Dealing with Women Protestors:
- Avoid Use of Force: Under no circumstances should lethal force be used against women protesters; non-lethal measures should only be employed as a last resort.
- Engage Female Officers: Deploy female police officers to interact with the protesters, as this may calm the crowd and avoid escalation.
- Maintain Clear Communication: Make an effort to communicate clearly with the women, ensuring they understand that the police are there for their safety and are not enemies.
- Respect Cultural Sensitivities: Understand the cultural dynamics of the tribal women and avoid actions that could be perceived as disrespectful or oppressive.
- Document the Situation: Ensure video recording of the events for transparency and accountability, to protect both the police and the community from later allegations of misconduct.
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During the 2018 Sterlite Protest in Tamil Nadu, Rajesh Das, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), led efforts to manage the protests, deploying female police officers and prioritizing non-violent methods like negotiation and dialogue.
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Rohit is faced with a delicate situation that requires both strategic thinking and moral courage. The ethical principles of non-violence, duty, and long-term societal stability should guide his actions, ensuring both justice and peace in the region.
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