The highly-trained “crack dog units” of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and US Navy Seals’ dogs were put on service during Potus, a military code for the US President, says a report in the Itanagar-based Arunachal Times. It was the Advanced Security Liaison Team of President Barack Obama that made the request for ITBP dogs and troops for this joint operation named “Op Uncle Obmo”, standing for the first two letters of Obama and Modi, since “heavy electronic chatter” of international terrorist organisations were intercepted by US and Indian Intelligence as they were planning to harm the leaders of two of the world&’s largest democracies.

The ITBP provided 30 dog teams as compared to the US Navy Seals’ seven. The strategic reason for this being that since the ITBP dogs were already acclimatised to the Indian weather and conditions, they were better placed than the American ones.

This is history repeating itself. Not many know that after the 1962 India-China war it was American instructors who trained the ITBP in the art of war. The American influence is still visible, as this is the only Indian force to play baseball in its units. The coming together of ITBP and American K9 units is a part of the plan of the Union home ministry to sniff out terror in Indian cities, and sources revealed that “Op Uncle Obmo” would not end with the Republic Day celebrations, but would continue as a part of joint action against terror. Ministry sources also disclosed that the ITBP was the only force in India to have airconditioned dog vans to transport canines from one place to another, in comfort, which is one of the reasons for the team&’s cutting-edge accuracy because these animals do not suffer from “journey stress”.

Against draconian law

The human rights committee of the Manipur Students’ Association, Delhi, launched a month&’s campaign on “Irom Sharmila, make by India campaign” on 26 January 2015. In its press release, appearing in the Manipur-based Kangtalonline, it says the objective is to expose India&’s contradictory policy of “Make in India”. It continues that over the past 65 years since independence the Centre has shown little interest in promoting Manipur&’s productivity.

So far they have produced only police personnel, promoted village defence forces, created special police officers and all state stakeholders, political parties and civil societies have silently endured the continuation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act .The Congress opposed British colonial law but it passed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. The release continues, “The BJP has resolved not to repeal the Act as long as India exists. All regional parties are silent over this draconian law and so are the intelligentia.”

It goes on to say that most people outside Manipur are unaware of what it means to live under military rule. “India makes Irom Sharmila who is now carrying the longest fast (in its 15th year)  for the repeal of the Act.”

Street-corner and area-wise meetings and online campaigns will be part of this crusade.  The association seeks the support of students and people of Manipur to make it a success.