The day a soldier gets decorated with Olive green, Camouflage, Sky blue, Navy White or Khakhee he/she gets the certificate that they can perform in the pressure situations which could lead to supreme sacrifice. But in recent past I have understood that “Khakhee” is little different from other prestigious arrays. What makes Khakhee different is evident from Ace Commando of BSF e assistant commandant from the 113 Battalion Anubhav Atrey, who featured in a documentary created by the National Geographic Channel on the agency that’s India’s first line of defence, is now facing court martial over a “civilian death”.
The day you become solider you take an oath to defend your mother land above your life but if you wear Khakhee and be part of BSF you have to comply with an additional norm “Self-declared set of over disciplinary norms”.
I would like to take you back in time and remind you of an incidence where kicked, jeered, abused Videos of paramilitary jawans (CRPF) manhandled by Kashmir mobs and another one where Major Leetul Gogoi ties a stone pelter on the Jeep to save a polling party and was later backed by the veterans and higher officials, In fact he was awarded and that boosted Morals of others.
The difference between two incidences is the officers who back the mens on the ground. Though Rashtirya Rifles are paramilitary forces, but the men are from Army.
What Happened That day ?
On the night May 13, 2016, the intelligence branch of BSF passed on information to the troops of possible gold smuggling near the Indo-Bangla fence. The officer gathered a team of 7, armed with one pump action gun, a non- lethal weapon, and INSAS rifle, and waited in ambush for the smugglers. There were 12-15 gold smugglers who came close to the fence with 2 carrying packets of gold articles to be thrown across to the huts in the Indian side, while 10 of them were carrying sharp edged weapons (machetes or da). But at 10 am, as the smugglers came close to the fence, the BSF constable in the team rushed without any arms to apprehend the suspects.”
He sensed that the smugglers speaking in chaste Bengali told each other “niye jaai (drag the constable into Bangladeshi territory)”. Another one said, “maar”, which the officer said meant that there was a life-threatening situation for his junior. Anubhav Atrey said he decided to use the non-lethal weapon, firing the first shot in the air.
The second shot was taken following the standard operating procedure (SOP) at the waist from a distance of 40-50 metres as the miscreants did not honour his appeal and became more aggressive. The shot hit a boy who later died in Bangladeshi territory. Based on an understanding between the BSF and BGB, the border guarding force of Bangladesh, patrol parties on both sides keep a mix of lethal and non-lethal weapons.
After this the smugglers ran to safety across the fence. Minutes later, the commandant informed the officer that the Bangladeshi force had informed them of a “civilian death”.
The two forces held a flag meeting where the BGB was allegedly convinced by the officer’s explanation. But facing heat from Bangladeshi media and the incident looming large over successful talks between the Indian and Bangladeshi contingent, sources say, Anubhav Atrey became a scapegoat. The court of inquiry blamed the BSF troops for faulty planning but did not recommend any action. But now court martial ?
Although all the Men in uniform are special but Anubhav Atrey is best of bests and following facts proves that Ace commando is second to none.
Ranked 4th in the all-India ranking in the central armed police force examination in 2010, Anubhav Atrey had the option of joining the CISF but chose BSF. He went on to win accolades, becoming a gold medallist in 2015, beating commandos from 23 CAPF and state police in a countrywide competition.
Anubhav Atrey even got a DG’s commendation card
Sanjiv Sood, former ADG with BSF, said, “Major Gogoi got an unfair backing, as he was in violation of law. But in this case, Anubhav Atrey went according to the principle of law…The inquiry has let him down. He has to now face the harrowing process of court martial. I believe a wrong message has gone to jawans and officers.” I Partially agree with Sanjiv Sood but politely disagree on Major Gogoi’s case as backing Major was fair and its time for BSF to do same in case of AC Atrey !