GS Paper: GS3-24. Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.

Why in the news?

On Tuesday, July 2, a stampede during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 121 individuals, predominantly women.

What is a Stampede?

A stampede is an impulsive mass movement of a crowd that often results in injuries and deaths.It disrupts the orderly movement of crowds, leading to injuries and fatalities, often triggered by panic, perceived danger, or the pursuit of something gratifying.

Why do Stampedes Kill?

• Primary Cause: Most stampede casualties result from traumatic asphyxia, where external compression of the chest or abdomen restricts breathing.
• Other Causes: Include myocardial infarction (heart attacks), direct crushing injuries, head injuries, and neck compression.

How Does Human Psychology Lead to Stampedes?

• Panic and lacking in Cooperation: In panic-inducing situations, cooperative behavior is initially beneficial, but if disrupted, can lead to chaotic actions like pushing and shoving.
• Positive Wish-Fulfillment Beliefs: A collective belief, rational or irrational, can mobilize large groups into actions that may compromise individual safety.

How Does the Physical Organization of Spaces Contribute to Stampedes?

• Factors Contributing to Stampede Risks: Lack of light, poor crowd flow management, structural collapses, blocked exits, and inadequate design of hardware (like doors and barriers) increase stampede risks.
• Crowd Density: High density can lead to prolonged evacuation times and increased panic.

How to Better Prevent or Mitigate Stampedes?

• Planning and Design: Ensure adequate exit points relative to crowd size, improve crowd flow management, and use technologies for real-time crowd monitoring.
• Communication and Coordination: Effective communication between organizers and attendees is crucial for issuing warnings and managing crowd movements.

Notable Deadly Stampedes and Their Causes:

• Moscow, Russia (1896): Rumors of souvenir shortages led to a deadly surge.
• Allahabad, India (1954): Lack of crowd control and barriers led to a surge at the Kumbh Mela.
• Lima, Peru (1963): Tear gas used during a football match triggered panic in enclosed spaces.
• Wai, India (2005): Slippery steps during a pilgrimage resulted in a tragic stampede.

Way forward: 

• Crowd Monitoring Systems: Implement technologies such as CCTV cameras, crowd density sensors, and real-time monitoring software to detect and respond to overcrowding or sudden surges in crowd movement.
• Communication Systems: Establish robust communication networks between event organizers, security personnel, and attendees. Use public address systems and mobile alerts to convey emergency instructions and warnings promptly.
• Emergency Response Plans: Develop and rehearse comprehensive emergency response plans that include rapid evacuation procedures, medical assistance points, and coordination with local emergency services.

Why in the news? 

• While the nature of war remains constant, its changing character imposes a premium on Military Education and the Academic preparation required to cope with security challenges.
• It is reported that Pakistan has created two universities for its armed forces, while China has three but India has no Defence University even though such a university in India was first proposed in 1967.

Need for Professional Military Education:

• Inadequacy of RRU: Comparing the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) to the IDU is seen as flawed because the RRU’s objectives and curriculum do not specifically address military requirements for managing warfare and executing plans.
• Long Overdue Realization: The establishment of the IDU has been delayed, despite its critical importance for defense preparedness, fostering a strategic culture, and promoting inter-service integration.
• Rapidly changing the dynamic of Warfare: The dynamic and chaotic nature of warfare, particularly in regions like Europe and West Asia, requires military officers to be able to produce results despite dealing with unclear initial information and rapidly changing circumstances.
• Empowerment through PME: To tackle these complex challenges, military officers are empowered through a well-constructed PME continuum. This continuum enhances their abilities to adapt to changing assignments and increasing responsibilities over their long careers.
• Parallels with U.S. Evolution: The evolution of PME in the United States, as exemplified by the Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 and ‘Ike’ Skelton’s report to the U.S. Congress, serves as an example of the importance of structured military education in enhancing professionalism and preparedness.

Slow Progress in the Establishment of IDU:

• Historical Context: The idea of establishing a Defence Services University was proposed as early as 1967 by the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC). This indicates a long-standing recognition of the need for a broad-based education system in the Indian armed forces.
• Delays in Implementation: Despite proposals and recommendations dating back to the 1960s and 1980s, significant progress towards establishing the IDU was only made after the Kargil conflict in the late 1990s. Even then, progress remained slow, with ‘in principle’ approval granted in May 2010, several years after the conflict.
• Committee Formation: Following the Kargil conflict, a committee chaired by Dr K. Subrahmanyam was established to examine the issue of establishing the IDU. Based on its recommendations, in May 2010, ‘in principle’ approval was accorded for the setting up of the IDU in Gurgaon. Despite some optimistic reportage in 2017-18, the progress on setting up of the IDU has been rather slow.

Way Forward:

• Government Commitment and Funding: The government should prioritize the establishment of the IDU and allocate sufficient funding for its development and infrastructure.
• Streamlined Administrative Processes: Efforts should be made to streamline bureaucratic processes involved in setting up the IDU, ensuring that administrative hurdles do not impede progress.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaboration between various stakeholders, including the armed forces, government agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners, should be facilitated to expedite the establishment of the IDU.

Mains PYQ 

Q) Taxila University was one of the oldest universities in the world with which were associated several renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its strategic location caused its fame to flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered a university in the modern sense. Discuss.

Why in the News?

April 13, 2024, marks the 40th anniversary of Operation Meghdoot, which was launched by the Indian Army to pre-empt Pakistan and occupy the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram ranges.

The genesis of Operation Meghdoot

• Launched: April 13, 1984 (by the Indian Armed Forces);
• Aim: To seize control of the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir, marking the first assault in the world’s highest battlefield.
  • It was a response to Pakistan’s Operation Ababeel.
• Indian troops, including the Kumaon Regiment and Ladakh Scouts, successfully gained control of critical peaks and passes like Sia La, Bilafond La, and Gyong La, along with the commanding heights of the Saltoro Ridge, giving India a strategic advantage in the region.
• Operation Meghdoot resulted in the first of its kind and the only army in the world to have deployed tanks and heavy ordnance at such high altitudes.
• The Siachen Glacier conflict arose due to a vague demarcation of territories in the Karachi Agreement of 1949, leading to both India and Pakistan claiming the barren heights and the glacier, which escalated tensions in the region.

Significance of Siachen Glacier:

• Preventing ingress from Pakistan and China: Siachen forms a hub between Shaksgam Valley, Karakoram Pass, and Aksai Chin, making it vital for India to prevent ingress not only from Pakistan but also from China.
• Maintaining the status quo: The Indian Army’s presence in the region has helped maintain the status quo and prevent any territorial changes that could compromise India’s security.
• Watershed and drainage: The Siachen Glacier acts as a watershed, with its melting waters being the main source of the Nubra River in the Indian region of Ladakh, which drains into the Shyok River and ultimately the Indus River, a major water source for Pakistan.

Way forward:

• Continued Diplomatic Talks: India and Pakistan may continue to engage in diplomatic dialogues, potentially at higher levels, to discuss the demilitarization of Siachen and other related issues. These talks could aim to find common ground and address mutual concerns.
• Authentication of AGPL: India’s insistence on authenticating the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) as the first step towards demilitarization could remain a key sticking point. Efforts may be made to find a mutually acceptable way to verify and authenticate the AGPL.
• Involvement of Third Parties:   Third-party mediation or involvement from international organizations could be explored to facilitate discussions and help build trust between India and Pakistan.