Of Pirates, Victims & Ransom Payments

Of Pirates, Victims & Ransom Payments

There has been a spate of hijacking of ships by Somalian pirates, bureaucrats by Maoists, etc. Duly followed by a variety of demands ranging from release of prisoners to good old cash.

Hectic debates on the pros and cons of "negotiating" with the hijackers have been going on in the media.

Very "TRP" friendly sob-stories from victims' family members have been given wide publicity.

Governments (at the centre & state levels) have been accused of being insensitive, and of bias. The emphasis appears to be on having two sets of standards - One for the rich, famous and mighty. The other for the typical "Aam Aadmi".

Viewing the whole matter on the basis of logic and with a macro bent of mind (without being influenced by micro-stories of individual suffering), here are a few of my observations:

• Every single occasion when the Government yields to the demands of such hijackers, terrorists, maoists, etc., the immediate victims and family members are delighted. However, the following negative consequences emerge, without fail:
1. The perpetrators of such hijacks, kidnaps, etc. are emboldened to proceed further in the same direction
2. Other prospective pirates, terrorists, etc. are motivated to grab any available person, with the full knowledge that it is an effective method to achieve their goals
3. All opposition parties, neighbouring governments, global powerhouses, MNCs, etc. understand that "This government has a soft under-belly, and can be bullied"
4. All future victims' families have an extra "precedent" to ask / demand / insist that their own kith and kin should also get the same treatment, and be freed, without any concern for the cost involved in terms of money and long-term implications of yielding to such pressure tactics for the country at large
5. Law-enforcement agencies - the police, armed forces, coast guards, et al - They get strongly demotivated. After all, all their struggles to catch a culprit are bound to go in vain if those who are caught are going to be released based on such "exchange demands".
6. This will lead to the cops, army men, etc. to "take it easy" - and a willingness to risk their own lives will reduce accordingly.
7. This will also possibly lead to such cops to take the easy way out by "shooting to kill" all suspects, without bothering to capture them alive. With entirely undesirable consequences of at least a few innocent people being killed from time to time.

Keeping in mind the above points, here are a few things that ought to be done - immediately:

• Formulate a policy on the apt response to such "situations"
• Create a body that will be independent of Government intervention to deal with such situations
• Have a zero-tolerance policy on "yielding to pressure"
• Have a cut-off date in the future (say, six months from the date of approving the final policy) after which NO NEGOTIATION will be the norm. Irrespective of the potential loss of life involved. Clearly specifying that the "NO NEGOTIATION NORM" will be applied ruthlessly especially if the victims happen to be either bureaucrats or politicians or their relatives.
• Categorically state that if release of prisoners who have been convicted in a court of law (at any level) is being demanded, the prisoners SHALL be executed - SHOT DEAD - within the next 48 hours without fail. If such a move involves constitutional amendments, so be it. Take the judiciary into confidence while drafting the law, so that such a law is not shot down on grounds of violating the "Right to life" of such prisoners. We must establish, once for all, that the "Right to life" of the average citizen is more important than that of a convicted prisoner.
• And, most importantly, execute the plan.

Disclaimer:

• None of my relatives / friends have been kidnapped / hijacked thus far. And,
• I reserve my right to change my opinion if any of my kith and kin are kidnapped / hijacked. To know the reason, please read point No. 4 above!

Regards,

N

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