Quick Links

Home / IAS Preparation / With multi pronged strategy of the Central & State Governments especially in the last few years, the Naxalite problem has been resolved to a large extent in the affected states of the country.

With multi pronged strategy of the Central & State Governments especially in the last few years, the Naxalite problem has been resolved to a large extent in the affected states of the country.

Last Updated on Oct 03, 2024

Also Read With multi pronged strategy of the Central & State Governments especially in the last few years, the Naxalite problem has been resolved to a large extent in the affected states of the country. in Hindi

Download As PDF

IMPORTANT LINKS

Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

With multi pronged strategy of the Central and State Governments especially 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 the 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 fool proof 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 saviors. 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.

FREEMentorship Program by

Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS

UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA

100+ Success Stories

Key Highlights

Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.

Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.

UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free

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?
This case study involves a real-time crisis faced by a police officer in dealing with the Naxalite problem. It requires understanding of effective governance, law enforcement strategies, handling sensitive situations with civilian populations, and maintaining ethical conduct. It includes questions about strategic options, ethical dilemmas, appropriate actions, and precautionary measures in handling an aggressive crowd of tribal women protesters.

Answer (a)
Available options with Rohit are

Engage in dialogue: Attempt to communicate with the tribal women directly or through a mediator to explain the situation, the crimes committed by the apprehended Naxalites, and the potential consequences of releasing them.( Like The Dialogue between the Maoists and the Government of A.P)

Seek reinforcements: Request immediate backup from nearby police units or security forces to bolster their presence and assist in handling the increasingly volatile situation.

Utilize non-lethal methods: Use non-lethal crowd control measures such as tear gas, water cannons, or batons to disperse the agitated tribal women and maintain law and order.

Engage with local community leaders: Seek the assistance of influential local leaders or elders to help in pacifying the tribal women and conveying the importance of upholding the law.

Media communication: Engage with local media to broadcast the reasons behind the apprehension of the Naxalites and the potential risks associated with releasing them, in an effort to garner support from the broader community.

Continue efforts to establish communication: Persist in trying to establish contact with superior officers and seek guidance on how best to navigate the complex situation at hand.

Answer (b)
The ethical dilemmas being faced by SP Rohit in the given scenario are multi-faceted and complex

Upholding law vs safety of women- Rohit is torn between upholding the law and ensuring public safety. He is faced with the dilemma of whether to release the apprehended Naxalites, who are dangerous insurgents responsible for recent ambushes, to pacify the agitated tribal women and prevent potential civilian casualties, or to uphold the law by detaining the insurgents despite the risk of escalating tensions.

Balancing justice with compassion- Rohit is grappling with the ethical dilemma of balancing justice with compassion. While it is his duty to hold accountable those who pose a threat to public security, he must also consider the demands of the tribal women who view the Naxalites as their protectors and saviors. Releasing the insurgents could be seen as compromising justice, while detaining them could be perceived as disregarding the sentiments of the tribal community.

Greater Good Vs Individual Good- There is tension between the greater good and individual rights. By releasing the Naxalites, Rohit may prevent immediate violence and loss of civilian lives, but he would also be potentially endangering the larger community by allowing dangerous individuals to go free. On the other hand, detaining the insurgents could protect society from harm but at the cost of potentially inciting further unrest and alienating the local population.

Maintaining trust vs maintaining authority - Furthermore, Rohit is confronted with the ethical dilemma of maintaining trust and integrity in his role as a law enforcement officer. Releasing the Naxalites under pressure from the tribal women could compromise his credibility and authority, while detaining them could lead to a breakdown in community relations and trust, hindering future efforts to address the Naxalite problem through peaceful means.

Answer (c)
This presents a classic dilemma concerning which approach to adopt: the utilitarian or the deontological. The utilitarian approach emphasizes the end result, where the means can be flexible. In contrast, the deontological approach prioritizes ethical principles, focusing on the means and maintaining that they should be moral irrespective of the outcome. Rohit should adopt the deontological approach because it would be more ethical approach to follow-

Prioritizing public safety- As SP (Special Operations), Rohit should prioritize the safety and security of the public while upholding the law.

Engagement in dialogue- In this critical situation, the most appropriate course of action for him would be to engage in dialogue with the tribal women to de-escalate the tension and prevent any potential violence. Rohit should strive to communicate the reasons behind the apprehension of the Naxalites, highlighting the dangerous nature of their actions including recent ambushes targeting security forces.

Emotional Intelligence- Employing empathy and understanding, Rohit should attempt to address the concerns of the tribal women by explaining how the Naxalites pose a threat not only to law enforcement but also to the well-being of their community.

Engaging With Seniors/ Local Leadership- Simultaneously, Rohit should seek to establish alternative channels of communication with senior officers or neighboring police stations to request immediate reinforcements or assistance in managing the situation. Utilizing all available resources, including local leaders or influencers who may have influence over the tribal women, could also help in diffusing the tension and reaching a peaceful resolution.

Forcing The Militants To Surrender Peacefully- Maintaining composure and demonstrating effective leadership skills will be crucial for Rohit to navigate this delicate situation without resorting to force, thereby minimizing the risk of civilian casualties and potential further unrest.

Answer (d)
In dealing with women protesters in the given scenario, the police must exercise caution and employ appropriate tactics to defuse the situation without risking civilian lives or escalating violence. Here are some extra precautionary measures to be taken:

Maintain Calm and Communication: Remain calm and attempt to establish communication with the women protesters to understand their grievances and concerns.

Show Restraint: Avoid initiating any aggressive actions that may provoke the protesters further. Use non-confrontational language and gestures to de-escalate tensions.

Deploy Negotiators: If feasible, send trained negotiators to engage with the women protesters and attempt to find a peaceful resolution through dialogue and understanding.

Seek Community Leaders’ Assistance: Identify and engage with respected community leaders or elders who can help in mediating the situation and convincing the protesters to cooperate with the authorities.

Ensure Female Police Personnel: Deploy female police officers to communicate with and address the concerns of the women protesters, which can help in establishing a rapport and diffusing the tension.

Use Non-Violent Crowd Control Techniques: Employ non-violent crowd control tactics such as creating physical barriers or forming a human chain to prevent the protesters from advancing without resorting to aggressive measures.

By approaching the situation with sensitivity, proactive communication, and a focus on de-escalation, the police can navigate the challenging scenario effectively while minimizing the risk of violence and maintaining public trust and safety.
Testbook offers good quality preparation material for different competitive examinations. Succeed in your UPSC IAS exam preparations by downloading the Testbook App here!

Report An Error

PSC Exams

Latest Exam Update

Coaching

UPSC Current Affairs

Syllabus

UPSC Notes

Previous Year Papers

Mock Tests

UPSC Editorial

Books

Government Schemes

Topics

Bilateral Ties

With multi pronged strategy of the Central & State Governments especially in the last few years, the Naxalite problem has been resolved to a large extent in the affected states of the country.

IMPORTANT LINKS

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?