Fortress mentality

The Army should open up all its cantonments

There is a raging debate in military circles about the opening of cantonment roads in Secunderabad. Many civilians do not know that cantonments are governed by an elected body under the Cantonment Act, which alone can legislate and approve closure of public roads. In the past, the Army has closed public roads for security, without approval from the Cantonment Board.

The Army mindset is still colonial. The Army believes that it is safe inside a deemed fortress, which belongs to it. It does not realise the discomfort that is caused to all those who undergo repeated security checks when entering a Cantonment. After all, these are public spaces. Private schools, hospitals, shopping complexes and parks are accessed by all, not just the military. Bungalows and residential complexes are owned by civilians who have the right to come and go freely. Of course, several bungalows which are Old Grant are occupied by serving defence officers. Residential quarters, Regimental Centres, unit lines and offices are also inside these cantonments.

In a country where the Army is trying to showcase its sacrifices and valour, how can it do so by hiding behind a curtain of security? When serving as Commandant of Madras Engineer Group (MEG) and Centre in Bengaluru, I was very surprised to meet a family that had lived right next to our main gate for four decades and did not know what was inside that gate. On the following weekend, we conducted a tour of our 500-acre campus for all who lived around us. Today, MEG conducts a history walk inside the campus on weekends for the Bengaluru public. In Chennai, I have met scores of professionals who have passed by the mighty portals of the Officers Training Academy (OTA) every day, and did not know that the OTA trained graduate men and women to be officers. Why do we need to create such formidable barriers and isolate ourselves? It seems to be a perceived threat from the unseen militant or Pakistani agent, who is everywhere. And in protecting ourselves from this threat, we are denying our own people a peek into our daily lives.

We should open up all our cantonments. Wherever there is a likely threat, use modern means of Artificial Intelligence, drones, CCTV and well-equipped Quick Reaction Team commandos. In places where there is a need, create military bases that have only the military and their families living and working there.

There is also a dire need to change the military mindset and strategic thinking. During Operation Pawan in northern Sri Lanka, the LTTE told the public, “The IPKF were thinking that they were safe inside their small bases while we operate freely outside, by night and by day.” We should be mentally mobile and not fixed inside bases. This would also keep the enemy guessing and not expose our weak spots. The cardinal rule should be to never harass or subject our own citizens to unnecessary security checks.

The writer is a retired Major General based in Chennai