(An old article written in 2018)
KEYWORDS:
Sacrifice, Insurgents, duty, fight, death, people, community, society, Family.
ABSTRACT: The
police are required to perform numerous jobs with anonymity and mostly in an
anonymous manner. They are the backbone of a civilization. A lot of sacrifices have
to be made by them to keep the society move forward. One of the most peaceful
states in India, Mizoram has endured insurgency periods in the course of its
history. MNF insurgency (1966-1986) covered the whole of Mizoram, HPC
(1989-1994), HPC D (1994-2018), BNLF (1997-2005) – covered only a specific
portion of Mizoram. Largely due to the efforts of Mizoram Police Force, the
society endures and returns to normalcy. 56 personnel of Mizoram Police had
lost their lives and lots of the policemen suffered horrific physical and
mental injuries in the line of duties. The sacrifices they made, their sweats,
their bloods and their hard works ensured that the people of Mizoram live in an
enduring peace.
Introduction: According to
National Police Commission set up by the Government of India in 1977, the
followings are the duties and responsibilities of the police:
i)
To promote and preserve public order
ii)
Investigate crimes
iii)
Identify problems and situations that are likely lead to crimes;
iv)
Reduce the opportunities for the commission of crimes through preventive
patrol and other police measures;
v)
Aid and cooperate with other relevant agencies in implementing appropriate
measures for prevention of crimes;
vi)
Aid individuals who are in danger of physical harm;
vii)
Create and maintain a feeling of security in the community;
viii)
Facilitate orderly movement of people and vehicles;
ix)
Counsel and resolve conflicts and promote amity;
x)
Provide other appropriate services and provide relief to people in distress;
and
xi)
Collect intelligence reports relating to matters affecting public peace and
crimes in general including social and economic offences, national integrity
and security.
In order to fulfill the duties
delineate by the laws and expected by the people, the police personnel have to
sacrifice a lot. They are the first line of defense against internal threats.
Being in a police force requires sacrifices of their family lives, leisure time
and even the ultimate price that is their life.
The supreme
sacrifices of the police largely goes unnoticed due to continued indifference
on part of the polity, media, society and other established institutions that
cannot do without the police, and yet they don’t remember the police as it has
been taken for that cops will selflessly continue to serve all institutions
despite the non-recognition of the force to meet the expectations of one and
all.
Such
indifference and the functioning of the police today calls for a closer look at
the state of affairs existing with the police force in India. Most
unfortunately, the police have not got its due even though it is embedded in
every segment of the country. It is a neglected lot and dismissed as corrupt,
inefficient and not people-friendly. Such allegations could be partially true
but arguably, we have not seen any visible and genuine attempts by the
detractors and critics of the police to improve its image. None whatsoever!
This
will be an attempt to honour and commemorate the sacrifices made by Police in
the line of duty with particular references to the Mizoram Police.
Mizoram:
Mizoram is a mountainous state nestling in the southern tip of the north-east
region of India. Covered with verdant forests dominated by thick bamboo groves,
teeming with vibrant wildlife, sheer cliffs and breath-taking waterfalls,
dotted with unique landmarks of myriad folklores and picturesque villages of
houses built on stilts, a land of dramatic seas of morning mists that enfold
islands of hills and peaks, this is the land of the Highlanders, or the Mizo.
Standing
aloof from the adjacent plains of Assam and the other neighboring states,
Mizoram remains an exotic location sharing more than one-third of its boundary
with Bangladesh and Myanmar and its capital, Aizawl is still one of the
least-frequented cities in India. With a population of 1,091,014 only, it is one of the most
sparsely-populated states. Mizoram has a moderate and pleasant climate
throughout the year, and is an idyllic land of great natural beauty having rich
variety of flora and fauna.
Insurgency
One of the most peaceful states
in India, the state of Mizoram experiences Insurgency three times. The First
one starts from 1966 and ended in 1986, it affects the whole of Mizoram. Mizo
national Front took up arms in 1966 and laid down their arms on 30th
June, 1986.
At the conclusion of Mizoram Peace Accord in 1986, Hmar People Convention was
immediately started as the Hmar community was unhappy with the terms and
conditions of the accord citing that there was nothing in store. For the first
three years of its existence, demands were made by non-violent methods, and
realizing that its resultant effects were not matching their demands. Hence,
the HPC takes up arms on May 16, 1989 and a peace deal was brokered on July 27,
1994 resulting in the creation of SHDC (Sinlung Hills Development Council).
A faction of HPC, who were
unhappy with the peace deal brokered in 1994 between the state of Mizoram and
the HPC, started HPC (D) continued to engage in arms conflict with the State of
Mizoram. A peace treaty was signed on 2018 ending all the insurgent activities
in the states of Mizoram.
Besides the above insurgents
activities by MNF, HPC, HPC(D), a bru insurgent group known as BNLF were active from 1997-2015.
The HPC, HPC D and BNLF
militant activities covered only a specific region and small parts of Mizoram.
The HPC, HPC D, and BNLF demanded an autonomous district.
History
of Mizoram Police:
The History of Mizoram Police
can be divided into three periods
- The British Period (1890-1947):
Modern System of policing
was introduced to the Mizo’s after the British Government took over the Lushai
Hills way back in the year 1890. The first Police Station was established in
Aizawl in 1895. The Civilian Police was started on 1899. It was initially manned
by 2 Sub inspectors and other ranks of 49 persons.
- As a Mizo District in Assam
(1947-1972): In
1947, six (6) Police Stations sanctioned at Aizawl, Lunglei, Saiha, Kolasib,
Champhai and Tlabung. The First Superintendent of Police was posted in 1960. A
small CID Cell was started under the supervision of Dy. SP.
- As an independent Police Force
(1972- ) Mizoram
became union territory on 21.01.1972. Thus, Mizoram Police was born. I.J. Verma
was the first IGP of Mizoram. 1st Battalion
Mizoram Armed Police established in 1973. In 1986 Mizoram Attained Statehood, re-organization
and up-gradation of Mizoram Police was done. In 1998: Forensic Science Laboratory
established. Mizoram Police has its own Police Act 92011), its own manual- Mizoram
Police Manual-2005 and Mizoram Police Special Branch Manual.
Sacrifices
made by Police personnel
In the course of History of
Mizoram Police, 56 Police personnel have laid down their lives in the line of
duty. From Constable to IGP, they earned glory with their lives.
Mizoram insurgency starts on
1.3.1966. The first Policeman who lost his life was SI Laldochhunga who was
posted at CID (SB) on 25.3.1966, just 24 days after the starts of the
insurgency. SI Zoramthara Khawlhring, Constable Hmangaihmawia and Driver C. Lalchuailova
were the last ones to lose their lives in the line of duty. It was on March,
2015 while escorting Assurance Committee, Mizoram Legislative assembly; HPC (D)
Militants ambushed them near Zokhawthiang Village. These three braves lost
their lives in that ambushed.
It can spefically be stated
that 56 Policemen lost their lives in
the struggle against 4 insurgent groups such as MNF, HPC, HPC (D) and BNLF.
Apart from the army’s help during the MNF insurgency period, against all the
other insurgent groups such as HPC, HPC (D) and BNLF, the Mizoram Police Force
fought alone. 56 of the laid down their lives and several others were injured.
As result of the sacrifices made by the members of Mizoram Police Force, 15
President’s Police Medal for gallantry and 41 Police Medal for gallantry had
been earned.
The most significant and high
profile martyrdom by the Mizoram Police Personnel must have been the death of
G.S. Arya, IPS, IGP Mizoram, K. Panchapagesan, IPS and L.B. Sewa, IPS. On
13.1.1975, G.S. Arya along with K. Panchapagesan and L.B. Sewa were having an
important meeting in the office chamber of Gs Arya, IGP Mizoram. It was at the
height of Insurgency of MNF. MNF militants namely SS Capt. Lalhleia, SS Capt
Thangrehlova, SS Capt. Kapkima, SS corp. K. Zoramthanga and SS Pvt. C. Lalhmachhuana,
attempt an abduction of the three officers. A fight ensued between the parties
which led to the death of the three top officers of Mizoram Police. Their
deaths in a way change the course of the insurgency and resulting in the
gradual weakening of the MNF militant groups.
15 personnel of Mizoram Police
lost their lives during the MNF insurgency and were decorated with 1 President
Police medal for gallantry, 3 Police Medal for Gallantry.
During the active period of HPC
as an insurgent group, 6 members of Mizoram Police laid down their lives in defense
of the life, liberty and property of the people and two of them earned
President’s Police Medal for gallantry, posthumously.
At the peak of Naxalite-Maoists
insurgency, 2nd IR Mizo Battalion was deployed in Chhattisgarh for
counter insurgency Operation from 2006-2008. During their two years deployment
in the naxal affected areas, 10 of the personnel of 2nd IR Mizo
battalion lost their lives. Since, 20.07.2009,
3rd IR Mizo Battalion has been deployed at Assam for Counter
Insurgency Operations, and there has been no casualty in the fight against
insurgents in Assam.
8
policemen lost their lives in the struggle against HPC (D) (1994-2018). 7
Police personnel were killed in the fight against BNLF (1997-2005).
I
shall mention the incidents leading to the death of L/Nk P.C. Vanlalpeka as it falls
the category of cross-border terrorism.
A Myanmar outfit, Chin national Army (CNA) enters the eastern part of Mizoram
in the year 1996 and starts activities like extortion, Kidnapping, Murder, etc.
A Mizoram Police Counter-insurgency operation team consisting of 12 (twelve)
personnel including L/Nk P.C. Vanlalpeka was sent to launch an offensive and
preventive operation in areas covering Champhai town and its satellite villages.
On 4th August, 1996, an attempt was made by Peka’s team to rescue
the hostage in the jungles of Champhai. The hostages were kept inside a hut in
the middle of the forest. The police team attempts a rescue mission resulting
in the fire fight between Mizoram Police Operation team and the CNA militants.
Peka was shot at his forehead around 9:30 PM and died there.
Some
of the personnel of Mizoram police lost their lives in the fight PLA (Manipur
Outfit) as well. Besides the loss of life, there are many policemen severely
injured not only in the fight against the Insurgents, but during different
moments in the day to day life.
The death of these 56 Policemen that were once part of Mizoram
Police Force, who were killed in the line of duty, are reminders that police
take great risks every day to keep our communities safe and are willing to
sacrifice their life for those they serve.
CONCLUSION:
Mizoram
mostly being peaceful, the loss of life by the members of Mizoram Police is
quite low as compared to Police force in other states of India. That does not
mean that, no other sacrifices were made. The loss of life in the line of duty
occurs during the period of Insurgencies. But the peace time sacrifices made by
the Policemen were not in any way lesser. Their hard work, dedication, and
sacrifices made possible peaceful atmosphere of Mizoram as it is today.
Despite
the chronic attitude of many and their skeptical view of the Police, the
Mizoram police strive to maintain its duty as the Law requires it and as the
people needs and deserved.
The
sacrifices of the policemen may not be fully recognized by the people. It may
not even be acknowledged even by those who directly benefitted through that
sacrifice, the police keep standing on the ground for Duty, Honour and honour
alone.
The
words of Dr. Andrew L. Tang, trauma medical director for
Banner-University Medical Center, rang in my mind
while researching the story of the 56 policemen of Mizoram who died on the line
of duty and let me quote it for the 56, for the survivors and for those who made
sacrifice in the peace time, “In every society there are the givers and
takers and those who sacrifice. Communities are built on the shoulders of those
who sacrifice”. The Police lend strong shoulders upon which the Mizo society is
built.
References:
- https://tourism.mizoram.gov.in/cont/1
- https://police.mizoram.gov.in/
- 47th Raising Day
souvenir (2018): Mizoram Police
- Lalsangzuala, J. (2010).
Mizoram, the Land of Char, Zokhumi b-50 Mission veng.
- Chawngkunga, C. (1998).
Important documents of Mizoram. Art and Culture Department, Aizawl.
(for Indian Police Journal,
December 2018)