Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 10:

Military operation alone cannot solve the insurgency, but neither should the military dimension be under-estimated, said a former officer of the Indian army today at a programme.

Rtd Major General Dipankar Banarjee said any counter insurgency operation should be undertaken under the framework of law passed by the parliament.

He added law should clearly stipulate policies based on fundamental practices.

Banarjee stressed that it was important to win the hearts and minds of people in any counter insurgency campaign. “Only by winning hearts of people can the state counter insurgents who normally have been found to have mobilised youth,” he said.

Banarjee pointed out that most of the countries had been found to have relied on military strength rather than addressing the root cause of the problem. “Even though the nature of insurgency is usually indigenous in nature, external support and aid to the insurgents can make the insurgency get worse,” he added. “Insurgency has to be dealt through political leadership.”

Citing examples from other countries, he said terrorism and insurgency are major issues discussed in the international arena.