Vijay Kumar, the Inspector General of Police Kashmir Range, has further damaged the already strained relations between the cadre officers of the Central Armed Police Forces and the IPS by downplaying the CRPF’s role in maintaining internal security. IGP Kumar recently alleged that the Central Reserve Police Force usurps credit for the work done by the Army and the police in Jammu and Kashmir.
Such uninformed and uncalled for condemnation from an officer who himself was on deputation to the CRPF until recently — and reportedly still enjoys the perks and privileges of this elite internal security force — are nothing short of blasphemous.
“CRPF doesn’t do a good job. (In J&K), the police generates the intelligence and Army and Rashtriya Rifles carry out the operation. CRPF’s name is inserted for nothing. We all know this. I was in the CRPF,” the IGP is reported to have said at an internal meeting held by the Director General of Police J&K in Baramulla on 29 April.
Vijay Kumar forgets that every incident of contact with militants is subject to a court of inquiry to account for the ammunition spent and other losses, if any. The process of inquiry is even more stringent if a life is lost. Even the Intelligence Bureau is called upon to submit a report, especially in cases where gallantry medals are recommended. Does IGP Kumar imply that the outcomes of all these inquiries are false and there is a multi-agency collusion in covering up the incidents?
Let’s not mince our words in condemning such unprofessional comments about the integrity of the CRPF, which is doing a yeoman’s service to India in fighting militancy and insurgency. The CRPF, which is always at the beck and call of policy makers in aid of civil authorities, has proved its mettle over and over again. A large number of CRPF personnel have sacrificed their lives.
Also read: If CAPF cadre wants to be treated as civil servants, it must develop citizen-centric values
Continued desire for control
IGP Vijay Kumar’s comments are symptomatic of the contempt that the Indian Police Service (IPS) officers have for the CAPFs over which they want to retain their stranglehold in contravention of the Supreme Court of India’s orders.
The IPS officers are unable to reconcile with the fact that their hegemony over the senior posts in CAPFs was successfully challenged by the cadre officers. For instance, the Delhi High Court as granted a stay on further deputation of IPS officers in the Central Armed Police Forces. In November 2019, it refused to lift the stay. This has led the IPS officers to criticise and undermine the capabilities of cadre officers on social media and other platforms. Vijay Kumar’s remarks appear to be part of the same strategy.
The IPS Association surreptitiously approached the Delhi High Court recently to get the stay vacated, citing emergent scenario prevailing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The High Court had no hesitation in throwing out their petition when it was pointed out by the respondents that many IPS officers were repatriated to their states after the outbreak of coronavirus.
The hollowness of their claim of urgency is further busted by the fact that the Narendra Modi government has not found it fit to appoint a regular Director General for the Border Security Force (BSF) for the last two months since the pandemic broke.
The CAPF officers aggrieved by the intransigence of the IPS and the government are already extremely restive and their case regarding the non-implementation of the Supreme Court order granting them the Organised Group A Service status and Non Functional Financial Upgradation pending in the top court.
Also read: IPS officers defending hegemony over CAPFs is like British justifying their rule over India
Unfair dominance to mismanagement
The dominance of higher-level posts by IPS officers is a serious compromise on the national security because IPS officers are unfamiliar with the ethos and operational philosophy of these forces. Even the policy framework adversely affects the avenues of cadre officers, who are the domain experts.
There mismanagement of these forces by IPS officers is apparent from the reported violation of Covid-19 protocol in the CRPF, which appointed an IPS officer, Arun Kumar Sharma of Gujarat cadre, as Additional DG (Medical) in violation of all norms. This IPS officer, going against the advice of medical experts, reduced the quarantine period from 14 days to five days, resulting in a spurt of positive Covid-19 cases and forcing more than a hundred personnel to go into quarantine.
The IPS officers are not only unfamiliar with the Central Armed forces, the transient nature of their lien with the CAPFs precludes them in applying themselves. And so they find themselves out of depth in managing these specialised forces. They have been found wanting even in managing the affairs of state police forces, as was apparent from their total acquiescence to the political masters during the recent riots and other violent situations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Their conduct in ignoring their constitutional obligations in such times doesn’t portend well for our democratic society.
The ill-timed and ill-conceived remark by Vijay Kumar will lead to further deterioration of mutual confidence between IPS and CAPFs and add to the already high level of friction between the officers.
The Modi government needs to take a serious look at the management of CAPFs and hand over the command of these forces to the cadre officers who are fairly experienced, matured and well versed with the psyche of the troops.
The author is a retired additional director general of Border Security Force. Views are personal.
IG Kashmir being the operational head of Kashmir zone has all the rights to bring out the incompetence of CO and AC in case of any casualty of CRPF jawans in a closed door meeting. This doesn’t mean that he attacked CRPF organisations as such. CRPF is a large force which has many competent officers but at the same time there are many incompetent officers also.To point out their mistake in a closed door meeting so to prevent any further casualties of jawans was very much under the authority of IG Kashmir.Did he say anything in media or in any open platform..NO.. This whole episode was twisted and made IPS vs CAPF issue. It’s hard to believe that a letter which was purposely made viral and that too written by aCommandant which was not even present in the meeting is right or wrong or was it purposely done by some miscreants to suit their own agenda or to hide their incompetence ..Their is a need for inquiry how a letter under the Official secret Act got viral..
The IPS leadership has caused rio much damage to all CAPF. These leaders just can’t manage the Local Thana are boasting about their intellectual quality. If you are so able then why there is so corruption in Police system. You will find atleast 10 news in print media about police brutality, corruption, indiscipline etc and often gets kick from the HC and Supreme Court. Britishers were also thinking that the world will collapse if they leave it but u can see the that it never happened. IPS officers must broaden their mind and must leave CAPF respectfully otherwise days are not far when they will thrown out.. Satyamev Jayate
all men in uniform suffer from super EGO they were specially created to salvage India.. uniform means make them look alike as they may nothing inside the caps
Cop versus Cop. But we always knew that the Super Cops are only wannabe Babus and that Babus cannot run anything to purpose!: Even Modi borrowed China’s Lock Down and Aarogya Sethu Template like his foreing pen, specs and car!
Since I never had the misfortune of serving any government, I am unable to appreciate this kind of inter-Service squabble. As a lay citizen, I frequently keep reading that CRPF jawans becoming martyrs either in Kashmir or in Naxal infested parts of India. At least for that reason, CRPF should be respected. They are the unfortunate canon fodder for securing India internally. IPS babus who sit in AC offices must not speak lightly of them.
Veru correct sor
IPS should leave gracefully and save face before getting thrown out
So much make malicious or scandalous allegations this writer Sood and few others have been making against IPS and such writers think that mudslinging is their right . They are promoting indisciplined and must be strictly dealt with
Don’t blame IPS officer & police…….police did very good job at present……IPS & other police officers shows best Management than administrative officers in corona crisis…..if police management is not good we see dead body every where…….CAPF are to assist police forces as a subsidiary force not as a main stream force…..police has civil centric values know how to deal with public without using weapons….u can’t use weapons on your own public ….
IPS Vijay Kumar is a responsible officer if he said something there will be something fishy which needs to be corrected …..IPS officers service has of all India service nature if you prevent their deputation this is total violation of all India service rules……only senior IPS officer lead CAPF it’s a good thing……..IPS officer plays a significant role in making CAPF strong……..
The hypersensitive IPS lobby should stop protesting against write-ups and comments flogging their incompetence, sense of entitlement, overarching authority and toadying up to their political masters. Why do they want to lord over the CAPFs, when their stranglehold over all the spy and security agencies like the RAW, the IB agencies and the NSG continues unchallenged, even though undercover work has never been their domain, which is largely handled by the Military the world over. For instance, the ISI next door is a Pakistani Army outfit, which is ten steps ahead of its civilian IPS counterparts. The National Security Agency, the world’s biggest spook network, is an out and out Pentagon establishment, headed by a general. Similarly, the CIA too, an organization also headed by a general or an admiral, is zilch without its complement of US Army Special Forces which conducts its Black Ops. Russian Army Spetsnaz is an organ of the GRU. Mossad has its complement of Armymen, doing its dirty work behind enemy lines. The IPS lobby also wants to appropriate Assam Rifles (AR), an Indian Army adjunct, so that they could blatantly corner all the lavish perks and bungalows, commandeer aircrafts. AR is led by infantry officers from the Indian Army, but this lobby still calls it a CAPF, which is shameful. How long will the government continue to support such a lobby, one which is allergic to sweating and slogging on the fields and wants to lead by phone calls from an AC office.
IPS Vijay Kumar is absolutely correct.CRPF is in the outer most cordon in encounters against militants. .They suffer casualties becoz of their casual attitude, unfit jawans and poor drills.
Good that you have such a deep knowledge of CRPF operating procedures.
And thanxx that you digged out the root cause of martyrdom of security force personnels.
But in that case what about Indian Army, as Army is also suffering with casualities but they dont start this blame game because they their parent leadership.
Have you ever heared of sacrifice by any Indian Political Service Officer in these Terror and Naxal infested areas…No,
Why?
Because they dont operate with Army or CRPF and just sit in cosy environment. I am not blaming these officers for it because they are made to sit idle by government, but who gave them right to disregard forces.
CRPF is being lead by IPS officers at DG / ADG / Special DG / IG and DIG level for donkey years. If you say CRPF is ineffective, the accountability and responsibility of this situation lies with IPS cader. You can not lead it and also blame it. Now, it ia high time that the Cader Officers take the responsibility and make this force even more effective. Thanks.
How do you know , are u an ips or a capf soldier or commadant?
It seems that the Author is deliberately misrepresenting the facts or has not even read Hon’ble Supreme Court’s Order(which appears highly unlikely) .
For knowledge of general public , the Hon’ble SC stated that :
”it is specifically mentioned that by
granting Organised Group ‘A’ Central Services to the RPF (it
should be read as CAPF), the rights of the IPS, if any, for their
appointment on deputation on some of the posts cannot be said
to have affected. ”
“Still, it is
observed that while deciding the appeals, this Court has made no
observations with respect to the right of the IPS Officers for
deputation, in terms of the recruitment rules, if any, as the same
was not the controversy and/or issue before this Court and the
decision of this Court shall be construed with respect to grant of
Organised Group ‘A’ Central Services only.”
Stop misrepresenting facts for narrow, self-centres motives. Both IPS and CAPF Officers have made great contributions for security of this nation, do not create a divide which will have adverse impact on internal security. Sort out differences amicably without such in-disciplined mudslinging. People creating such divide are doing great disservice to the nation
Ramanand Saab …… Your last para acknowledges the contribution of CAPF offrs ‘like’ IPS offrs but your entire reply shies away from equating the capabilities with IPS offrs ! Wud I be wrong in assuming that if the ‘contributions’ are alike in merit ….. the ‘capabilities’ are equally alike ?? Why dont you also try to educate the public and the ignorants in justifying why should IPS officers continue to command CRPF , BSF and other CAPFs in 2020 and onwards ? What makes them specially qualified or trained or equipped to do so vis a vis BSF or CRPF or ITBP or any other CAPF cadre officers who are trained or groomed since their recruiting ?? And please do not give me the glowing details of Police Academy Training as it’s designed by IPS offrs who must have done the same way for Trg Institutes of all CAPF centres when deputed there ! ….unless you tell me that they have deliberately lowered the standards of CAPF Trg Centres !!!! …..Thus, try writing a detailed article with your experience on the inadequacy of these CAPF offrs to command their own men requiring IPS cadre to command them still . Maybe MHA and Supreme Court will also wake up to give decisions in favour of IPS. Everybody is aware how important it is to retain all top posts in CAPF to ensure availability of promotional vacancies for the IPS cadre ! By the way …. I hope you do remember the tactical blunders by IPS offrs directed CRPF convoy management ….. leading to Phulwama …..Regards ….
Dear Sir,
There should be no denial that many have contributed for strengthening security of the country, not only IPS /CAPF Officers but the contributions of ORs is perhaps even greater. But does that mean Officer ranks should altogether be abolished and there is no need for any Gazetted Officers ranks ? You know the answer very well
But are ORs showig rebellious behavior like the few indisciplined CAPF cadre officers ? Any attempt of spreading disaffection and in-discipline in forces has to be strictly dealt with
You know very well why the founding-fathers created All India Services like IPS as a pool of services common to both centre and states in a federal system like India. IPS has been an integrative link between different CAPFs/CPOs and State Police. Their ground level Policing experience exposes them to various aspects of internal security from very beginning in career ,whether legal issues, riot control, Counter-insurgency , etc not merely in assistive roles but the main decision-making roles (Now don’t claim that only CAPF Officers are having CI experiences, you cannot mislead those who have actually seen ground realities ).
Can you ignore contributions of Rustamji, Prakash Singh , K Vijay Kumar and many others to CAPFs?
Tomorrow SIs and ORs may also follow the same path and discredit CAPF GOs, then what will happen to CAPFs ? Do you want to push out IPS just to have promotional avenues for CAPF Cadres even if it has adverse impact on internal security?
Hope you know all blunders which CAPF Cadres have been committing and exact roles which they have been performing , but those should not undermine good works done by CAPFs so better not to highlight here.
Having a pool of deputation reserve increases options available who can bring fresh ideas and perspectives, from peoplewho had a rich varied experience.
Already most states are sideling IPS Officers due to political considerations and now if centre also doesn’t needs them , then what is the purpose of having IPS, just abolish it . But consequences of abolishing IPS are not very hard to guesss.
Ramanand ji has rightly pointed out how some authors like Sood are doing great disservice by promoting indiscipline by misinterpreting the Order of Hon’ble SC . Hope both IPS Officers and CAPFs Officers settle out minor misunderstandings and vested interests are not able to spread indiscipline and disaffection
Seen IPS controlling police in states through PIs at police station,enjoying power and perks sitting at district HQ and higher up. British era prevails in their routine.law and order in the area is left on the mighty one. Needy for police protection are deprived.if such people are given responsibilities to control and CRPF bn in the fighting zone the only god can save the men since they are not trained or meant for such role. The noble SC is rt the orders enforced for better.
Just read Hon’ble SC’s order ” ………… it is specifically mentioned that by
granting Organised Group ‘A’ Central Services to the RPF (it
should be read as CAPF), the rights of the IPS, if any, for their
appointment on deputation on some of the posts cannot be said
to have affected. ”
“Still, it is
observed that while deciding the appeals, this Court has made no
observations with respect to the right of the IPS Officers for
deputation, in terms of the recruitment rules, if any, as the same
was not the controversy and/or issue before this Court and the
decision of this Court shall be construed with respect to grant of
Organised Group ‘A’ Central Services only.”
Everyone pretends to be an expert even without reading or even after reading misrepresents facts
Going by the standards of Mr know all capabilities of ias and ips lobby it would be prudent for the government to let them run the reserve bank defense services agriculture sectors infact even politicians should be elected frim either serving or retired ias ips officers.teachers at iims iits medical institutions should be ias and ips officers only commander’s of army should be ias and ips big pharmaceutical companies research and development chairman should be ias and ips officers only. Infact costly aeroplane should be flown by ias and ips officers only. Infact these officers should fly fighter jets too because lot of decision making is required and the less privileged non ias non ips mortals cannot accomplish such tasks.
Likes of Mr. Vijay Kumar should lead the next surgical strikes in Pakistan along with defense Secretary home Secretary dgp police and if possible foreign Secretary because split second decisions will be required whom to shoot how much ammunition to use so let the crpf and lesser brained people carry their pots of tea and luggage and let these limes of Mr.Vijay Kumar and his know all juggernaut team carry the surgical strikes.
In case of any injuries DGMedical Mr. Arun kumar IPS will guide the treatment protocols how long the surgery will last and if there is a bullet in the chest how and from where it is to be removed after all it requires an ias or an ips brain to solve it
Well and properly said.
I completely agree with officer Vijay Kumar. And nowhere in this news have i read anything ill about our Prime minister.
What Mr. Vijay kumar has written is absolutely apt.
Government should really think over it.
It’s a well written article highlighting internal conflict within CAPFs. The officers of these forces should come to an understanding otherwise India as a nation would be weaker. Enemies will see it and take advantage of the situation. IPS officers are tasked with maintaining law and order in the country. But they themselves don’t follow the Supreme Court’s order. They should try to resolve the issue sooner instead of delaying for the sake of nation. Here it seems that IPS has become a self centred service.
Mein NCC cadet Shrikant Kumar Bihar Sharif
Main Indian army soldier GD Banna chahta hun 9709823498