1. India’s law and order matrix needs a reboot

The annual All India Conference of Directors General/Inspectors General of Police which was held recently, witnessed a departure from the past, when some aspects that were discussed found their way into the public domain. This led to an element of controversy over the management of certain issues, specially on the border, but little else. In its present form, the DGPs/IGPs conference is a relatively new construct (1980), superseding the earlier annual conference of Heads of Intelligence and CIDs of different States. The latter conference used to deal mainly with the nitty-gritty of police work, viz., intelligence, crime and criminal investigation, technology and the forensic aspects, while the conference now additionally deals with a host of other issues including Policy and personnel matters.

In-depth discussion is taking a hit

The proliferation of subjects up for discussion in recent conferences, and the presence of increasing numbers of delegates to cover the various subjects leave little scope for any in-depth discussion. Today’s security threats have an all-embracing character and there is a crying need for in-depth discussions on futuristic themes in policing, such as cyber crime, the dark web, crypto, maritime security, the threat from drones, and also problems stemming from an unchecked social media. These are in addition to subjects such as left-wing extremism, counter-terrorism, drug trafficking and border issues. Lack of adequate time to discuss these matters in detail tend to undermine both the quality of the debates and possible outcomes.

Admittedly, we may not be standing today at the beginning of history, but the evolving security scenario is producing a myriad of internal and external challenges. As the 21st century advances, security problems will grow at an exponential rate. Their dimensions are as yet unclear, but what is already evident is that the emerging challenges would require greater innovativeness and agility as well as a demonstration of newer cognitive skills to meet the challenges posed by swift technological change and the rise of data war fighting. Hence, decision making in these circumstances needs to undergo fundamental changes, entailing more purposive discussion at higher levels.

Law and order management today would be a good starting point in this context. This subject may appear rather mundane in a world dominated by technology; but what it currently demands is a combination of newer skills, in both technology and crowd management, which are not readily available among security agencies. The attention of most security forces in the country has essentially been devoted to ongoing threats such as terrorism, which has resulted in law and order management being put on the back burner. Managing today’s angry, and often unruly, mobs requires a fresh set of skills and inherent abilities, apart from mere technology. A heavy-handed approach tends to create more problems than they solve. Any approach of this kind only leads to a catastrophic divide between law enforcement agencies and the public, at a time when newer practices and skills are the proper answer.

Hence, much more is clearly required than simply reiterating that technology, including artificial intelligence, can provide answers to a host of problems that exist. Understanding the psychology of agitating mobs and, in turn making them realise the dangers of their own predilections before matters get out of hand, is not an innate, but an acquired skill. This needs better attention.

Police and security agencies, must consequently, be provided with the right attributes, and for which they need to be adequately trained. This would call for a top down approach, as there would be considerable competition of resources from within the agencies for other items such as advances in weaponry and technology. It would be required even more, to secure acceptance of utilitarian aspects of any such move.

Pay attention to selection, skills

The selection of personnel to security agencies, especially the police, also will require a total makeover. The 21st century is proving to be vastly different from the 20th century, and the choice of personnel to man security agencies requires more high-level attention than has been devoted to this task. Most of the debate on this subject has been outside, rather than within the police forces, and the higher echelons of the forces have not spent enough time in determining what can and needs to be done. The police forces must mirror the kind of society we live in today, and must be capable of dealing with today’s modern antagonists. The latter often employ a variety of tactics and skills, and use common imagery to keep track of developing situations, including on social media and Twitter. For the police and security forces, this means that more than the mere acquisition of new skills, they must develop a different mind set, including that force cannot be the answer to every situation.

Technological advances worldwide have meant that the human skills of security agencies need to be suitably tailored to a world in which the Internet, social media and other breakthroughs, often provide protestors and agitators an upper hand, and often detrimental to law and order. This has given rise to the importance of ‘Open Source intelligence’ that is often neglected by security agencies. The proper utilisation of Open Source intelligence could well become the critical factor in managing many law and order situations today. A vast gap exists at present between the need, and on how best to utilise information from open sources.

An added problem, apart from the existing cauldron of events, incidents and situations, is the presence of multiple security agencies, including intelligence and investigative agencies, who seldom act with a common purpose. Their techniques and methodologies tend to be different, often leading to contradictions in approach. While the proliferation of agencies was intended to create specialised agencies for special requirements, this has not happened. Far from easing the burden of individual agencies, they often hinder proper analysis and investigation.

‘Small is beautiful’

Hence, what is clear is that there is a very real need to take a hard look at not only improving the nature of the security discourse — in regard to the range and varieties of threats — but also on how to bring about changes in regard to intelligence techniques, investigative methodologies, improving the ground situation, etc. Conventional wisdom would suggest that an apex level meeting of DGPs/IGPs would provide the necessary direction and policy imperatives. The reality is that too broad a sweep, both in terms of the subjects discussed, as well as in the numbers present, tends to affect the quality of the discourse even among dedicated professionals. Meaningful discussions cannot occur when the size of the conference inhibits detailed and frank discussion even in a professional atmosphere. Here, as in many other aspects of life, ‘small is beautiful’.

In short order, it can be said that there is a case for splitting the annual conference of DGPs/IGPs into two separate conferences — a higher level conference of DGPs/IGPs to discuss policy related issues, and a separate conference to be held of intelligence and security specialists (IGs/CID) to discuss the finer points of methodology, techniques and acquisition of new skills for current and future problems. Outcomes would then become more relevant to current and future security needs.

2. Suitability of a candidate cleared by Collegium can’t be subject of judicial review: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday, in a nine-page order, explained that “suitability” of a candidate cleared by the Collegium for appointment as a judge in a constitutional court cannot be a subject of judicial review.

“We are clearly of the opinion that this court, while exercising power of judicial review, cannot issue a writ of certiorari quashing the recommendation, or mandamus calling upon the Collegium of the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision… To do so would violate the law as declared, as it would amount to evaluating and substituting the decision of the Collegium, with individual or personal opinion on the suitability and merits of the person,” a Special Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and B.R. Gavai reasoned.

The Bench rejected the argument that the Collegium had not known the ‘facts’ about Victoria Gowri. It said the Collegium had not “deemed it appropriate to withdraw the recommendation or recall their decision” even after receiving the petitioners’ letter about her on February 1. The order, however, does not address the petitioner’s argument about the oral statement made by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud in open court on February 6 that the Collegium was considering the “developments” raised in the letter. The letter had drawn the Collegium’s attention to social media posts of Ms. Gowri in 2018 which, according to the petitioners, amounted to hate speech.

Under daily scrutiny

But the Bench, in its order, said a judge’s pledge and duty transcended religious, linguistic, regional or sectional diversities. As an Additional Judge, she was under daily scrutiny from lawyers, litigants and the public. The courts were open and the judges spoke by giving reasons in writing for their decisions.

The court said the question whether Ms. Gowri was “fit” to be a judge was outside the ambit of judicial review. “The question whether a person is fit to be appointed as a judge essentially involves the aspect of suitability and stands excluded from the purview of judicial review,” it noted.

The Bench distinguished between ‘suitability’ and ‘eligibility’ of a candidate zeroed in for High Court judgeship. Eligibility was based on “objective factors” given in Article 217(2) of the Constitution like citizenship and 10 years’ experience as a judicial officer or a lawyer in a High Court. Suitability of a candidate was the domain of the Collegium as it involved a procedure “designed to test the fitness of a person, including her character, integrity, competence and knowledge”.

3. Suitability of a candidate cleared by Collegium can’t be subject of judicial review: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday, in a nine-page order, explained that “suitability” of a candidate cleared by the Collegium for appointment as a judge in a constitutional court cannot be a subject of judicial review.

“We are clearly of the opinion that this court, while exercising power of judicial review, cannot issue a writ of certiorari quashing the recommendation, or mandamus calling upon the Collegium of the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision… To do so would violate the law as declared, as it would amount to evaluating and substituting the decision of the Collegium, with individual or personal opinion on the suitability and merits of the person,” a Special Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and B.R. Gavai reasoned.

The Bench rejected the argument that the Collegium had not known the ‘facts’ about Victoria Gowri. It said the Collegium had not “deemed it appropriate to withdraw the recommendation or recall their decision” even after receiving the petitioners’ letter about her on February 1. The order, however, does not address the petitioner’s argument about the oral statement made by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud in open court on February 6 that the Collegium was considering the “developments” raised in the letter. The letter had drawn the Collegium’s attention to social media posts of Ms. Gowri in 2018 which, according to the petitioners, amounted to hate speech.

Under daily scrutiny

But the Bench, in its order, said a judge’s pledge and duty transcended religious, linguistic, regional or sectional diversities. As an Additional Judge, she was under daily scrutiny from lawyers, litigants and the public. The courts were open and the judges spoke by giving reasons in writing for their decisions.

The court said the question whether Ms. Gowri was “fit” to be a judge was outside the ambit of judicial review. “The question whether a person is fit to be appointed as a judge essentially involves the aspect of suitability and stands excluded from the purview of judicial review,” it noted.

The Bench distinguished between ‘suitability’ and ‘eligibility’ of a candidate zeroed in for High Court judgeship. Eligibility was based on “objective factors” given in Article 217(2) of the Constitution like citizenship and 10 years’ experience as a judicial officer or a lawyer in a High Court. Suitability of a candidate was the domain of the Collegium as it involved a procedure “designed to test the fitness of a person, including her character, integrity, competence and knowledge”.

4. Decked up in snow, 3rd Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg sparks Olympics dreams

Around 1,500 players from across the country converged in snow-covered Gulmarg in Kashmir on Friday to take part in the winter games here, aspiring to make it to international platforms like the Winter Olympics.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur presided over a colourful inaugural show along with J&K Lieutenant Govenor Manoj Sinha. The mega show highlighted J&K’s culture, with a larger message of plurality and diversity.

Mr. Thakur, who also displayed his cricketing skills on a snow turf, said, “The winter games have attracted spectators too. Like our performance in the Summer Olympics, I am hopeful our players will do better in the future in the Winter Olympics too. This is the platform to identify, hunt and scout for talent, so that they can be provided further training.”

During the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Arif Khan, a local skier from Kashmir, was the lone participant from India. However, his participation encouraged many to pursue skiing with extra vigour.

Mr. Thakur proposed the settting up of a Centre of Excellence in Gulmarg to hone the skills of sportspersons. “We will be spending ₹6 lakh on an athlete’s training and other facilities once selected. We have sanctioned 40 ‘Khelo India’ centres for J&K. It is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji to create sporting infrastructure across India,” he said.

The 3rd Khelo India Winter Games will be a five-day event, where sportsmen will participate in Alpine skiing and Nordic skiing, ice stock, snow baseball, mountaineering, snowshoe running, ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating etc.

5. Discovery of lithium deposits in J&K to cut down import needs

The find will serve as a major boost to the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for smartphones, laptops and electric cars in the country

The discovery of 5.9 tonnes of lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir, a first for India, would reduce the need for imports and improve employment opportunities, officials in the Union Territory said on Friday, adding that the find was a major boost to the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for smartphones, laptops and electric cars.

The lithium inferred resources have been established in Reasi district. “There was a presence of bauxite in composite form and during its processing lithium was also discovered. We had explored it earlier also but now this time it has been approved by the Geological Survey of India (GSI),” said Shafiq Ahmad, District Mineral Officer, Reasi. The mineral blocks are likely to be auctioned after sanction from the Central government.

The GSI had said on Thursday that lithium inferred resources had been found in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi. An official said the geological reports on reaching the G2 and G3 stages of exploration were discussed during the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday.

Around 51 mineral blocks have been identified across the country, including J&K, based on the work carried out by the GSI from field seasons 2018-19 till date.

Residents of Salal expressed their delight after the news of the discovery spread. “Surveyors from the GSI have been visiting and taking samples from Salal area in the past two years. Finally, we get to hear the good news. It will go a long way in addressing unemployment issues here,” Rajinder Singh, a local Naib Sarpanch, said.

Earlier, the Mines ministry had said that to strengthen the critical mineral supply chain for emerging technologies, the government was taking several measures to secure minerals, including lithium, from Australia and Argentina. Currently, India is import-dependent for many minerals like lithium, nickel and cobalt.

6. Wildlife enthusiasts spot 145 species during first Sundarban bird festival

Birders, wildlife enthusiasts and forest officials have sighted 145 different bird species during the first Sundarban bird festival. The first-ever festival was organised by the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) division of West Bengal Forest Department, where six teams visited different areas inside the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve.

The species recorded during the bird festival included 78 forest birds and 42 species of waders, raptors etc. The two-day exercise which ended on Friday also recorded six species of waterfowl.

The total number of birds spotted during the exercise was 5,065. Two threatened bird species of the Sundarbans, Eurasian Curlew and Lesser Sand Plover, were also spotted. Birders were able to spot seven of the 12 species of kingfishers found in the Sundarbans.

Deputy Field Director of Sundarban Tiger Reserve,Justine Jones, said that the first-ever bird festival has provided baseline data as far as the number of bird species in the Sundarbans is concerned. “We can carry out the same exercise in the years to come and the baseline data would provide us changes as far as bird species are concerned,” he added.

According to Mr. Jones, sighting 145 species in a matter of two days is a good sign.

A publication by Zoological Survey of India, (ZSI) in 2021, had recorded 428 bird species in the Sundarbans which is one-third of all the avian species found in the country.

Despite being home to so many species of birds the habitats face threats including plantation activity along the chars (river islands) which disturbs the birds, and illegal activities along chars and uninhabited islands.