Imphal, April 16 2009: THE ARMY has described the term "displacement" of local people near the Loktak areas due to the Operation Summer Storm in a section of the media "too misleading and provocative" and clarified that it was just "moving to safer areas for only a couple of days" .

In a rejoinder to allegations as reported in a section of media that locals of the area were used as human shield, wide scale displacement and forest officials being stopped from entering the Keibul Lamjao sanctuary during the conduct of Operation Summer Storm around Loktak Lake, Public Relations Officer (Defence), Col Rajesh Mishra stated that success of surgical operations such as Summer Storm entails that absolute secrecy is maintained to achieve surprise which is possible only when the information about the target is corroborated from various sources and detailed planning is carried out.

He stated that all these prerequisites itself demand that nobody other than those who would partake in the operations know about the plan.

In fact so exacting was the requirement that often soldiers who are not 100% fit were dropped.

Hence no commander would like to involve any civilian as he can easily pass on the information to the intended target with relative ease without alarming even the leading scout.

In fact, rather than providing a shield, the involvement of any civilian and that too who is unwilling would only result in failure of the operations and large scale casualty to own troops which no Commander would ever want, Col Mishra reasoned.

It is worth mentioning that on noticing the presence of a woman with an infant, the firing had to be suspended temporarily so as to facilitate her movement to safer area and thereby affording an opportunity to UGs to escape.

Readers may decide for themselves as to who was using people as human shield, Col Mishra contended.

As regards the displacement of people from the affected area, the term 'displacement' is too misleading and provocative, he argued and added that any responsible army would like to ensure that no collateral damage is caused to civilians.

Hence in the interest of safety of people from the affected areas, people were advised to move to relatively safe areas and as soon as it became operationally and logistically possible, the Army had started providing all the assistance to the affected people.

The PRO (Defence) further asserted that the very fact that not a single civilian was injured speaks volume about the planning and execution of the operation and discipline of each and every soldier and policemen who did not indulge in any speculative firing.

Hence moving to safer areas for only a couple of days and that too to live in relative peace, free from the threat of the UGs is a small price to pay and can hardly be dubbed as displacement, he maintained.

Col Mishra fur ther pointed out, it is a well known fact that Keibul Lamjao sanctuary provides a safe haven to proscribed elements whenever an operation against them is carried out by the security force and police.

It therefore became imperative that all the routes of entry and exit be plugged.

Hence the Forest officials were advised not to move in the sanctuary so that no harm was caused to them as a result of cross fire.

Those who are skeptical about the safety of Sangai, let there be no doubt that no harm is caused to the specie, he categorically emphasised.

He said, it would be apt to mention here that Loktak Lake with its floating island which should actually be an ultimate tourist destination in Manipur has become a safe haven for UGs of various outfits.

As they could melt with relative ease with the locals, no worthwhile operations could be conducted in the past.

The fact is that it is the 'Silent Majority' who has been suffering thus far and can not be fooled any longer, has gradually started providing the inputs which is so vital for planning a fool proof operations like Summer Storm.

The absolute synergy between Army and Manipur Police is also the most important factor that has resulted in precise surgical operations with no collateral damage whatsoever.

All this has frustrated the UGs and the vested interest who have been benefiting because of them would often mislead people.

It is iterated that the Army understands the problem of the people and will continue doing its utmost best to ameliorate their situation, the PRO assured.

While insuring absolute secrecy of their identity, the SF is also thankful to all those who have made Operation Summer Storm give a severe blow to PREPAK, Col Rajesh Mishra stated and added that the security force would also like to appeal to all the misguided elements to shun the path of violence failing which the Army is honor bound to carry out relentless operation against them.

Comment