Arunachal Scouts
| Arunachal Scouts | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2010–present |
| Country |  India |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch |  Indian Army |
| Type | Mountain infantry |
| Role | Close-quarters combat Cold-weather warfare Counterinsurgency Forward observer Internal security Jungle warfare Mountain warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Tracking Urban warfare |
| Size | 2 battalions |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Lt GenM. V. Suchindra Kumar |
TheArunachal Scoutsis aninfantry regimentof theIndian armybased inArunachal Pradesh.Specialising inmountain warfarethe regiment was established with the purpose of defending theIndian-Chineseborder inArunachal Pradesh.A large proportion of the Arunachal Scouts are local to the region in which they work. Previously Part of the Indian Army’sAssam Regiment,the Arunachal Scouts consist of twobattalions,the first raised in 2010 and second in 2012.[1]
History[edit]
Context[edit]
Tensions betweenIndiaandChinaat the Tibetan border particularly with relation toArunachal Pradeshhave historically been high, withChina’s 1962 invasion of Indiabringing this issue to light.[2]Decades after theSino-Indian War,the 4,057 kilometre boundary separating the two countries remains disputed leaving Himalayan control lines ambiguous.[2]China’s continued interest in staking a claim in India’s northeast has led toChina’s practice of referring to theArunachal Pradesh regionas ‘Southern Tibet’ paired with an increased Chinese militant presence at the border led to the formation and mobilisation of the Arunachal Scouts, as a means of reinforcements for theLadakhandSikkim Scouts.[2]Having already witnessed the victory of China’sPeople’s Liberation Army(PLA) against Indian soldiers in 1962 inArunachal Pradesh,reporters theorised the defeat of the Indian army to be due to factors such as diminished roads and communication capabilities as well as a lack of high-level ammunition and arms.[3]These factors, as well as a smaller number of armed forces present at the border, limited understanding of regional topography andacclimatisationissues, among others, have also been theorised to be responsible for India’s loss as well as providing rationale for the mobilisation of local scouts.[3]
On 13 October 2020, theChairman of the Central Military Commission,Xi Jinpingtold thePeople’s Liberation Army(PLA) ofChinato prepare themselves for further conflict withIndia,asking the soldiers to "put all minds and energy on preparing for war."[3]Currently,Indiasustains a growing and significant number of soldiers near the border with China, including the Arunachal Scouts ofArunachal Pradesh.[4]Furthermore, India is developing roads in the region in conjunction to stationing the two battalions of Arunachal Scouts, two mountainbrigadesand an artillery division to ensure theIndian armyis prepared.[5]Aviolent exchange in June of 2020,following the construction of an Indian road inLadakhresulted in the death of 20 members of theIndian Army,the first clash in anIndia-China borderregion in over forty years.[3]TheSela tunnel,which is currently under construction and due to reach completion by February in 2022 will enable connectivity between theDirangandTawangregions in all weather conditions, enhancing the ability of theIndian armyto defend against the threat China imposes on the region.[3]
Reasoning for regiment formation[edit]
The formation of the Arunachal Scouts as an Indian reaction to an increased Chinese border presence was done in conjunction to the mobilisation of air, artillery and surveillance resources with the intention of strengthening the country’s defense lines in the region.[4]The further addition of the Arunachal Scouts as a localised force reminiscent of that of theSikkimandLadakh scouts,was perceived by theGovernment of Indiato be a cost-effective approach to the policing of the front line with personnel who have a developed understanding of the locale and are accustomed to the high altitude, climate and terrain of the region.[4][6]Largely, the Arunachal Scouts are used as a means to enrich and further bolster the defensive work of special forces in the area.[4]This partnership, however, also serves to assist the development of the military skills of the scouts.[4]Modelled after the localguerrillaforces reinforcing the defence of the North-western Indian front line, the advantages experienced through the success of the formation of such forces informed the formation and mobilisation of a similar taskforce inArunachal Pradesh.[7]This use of local militants givesIndiathe advantage of the ensured and maintained allegiance of the economically subjugated border communities, as well as the development of relatively mobile militant contingents with a vested interest in the defense of the region’s tribal populations and a more developed understanding of the locale in which their trained tactics are utilised.[6]Furthermore, the scout’s familial links to the local community better equips them to recognise signs of Chinese infiltration across the border intoArunachal Pradeshas well as to engage with the community using their local language, as in the region there are over twenty-six major tribes.[4]
Formation and mobilisation[edit]
November 2006 saw local concern surrounding the growth in presence of the Chinese militia cause localArunachal Pradeshpoliticians to askIndian Parliamentfor a strongerIndian Militarypresence surrounding the Tibetan border.[8]The appeal of the locals, paired with GovernorJJ Singh’s suggestion in 2008 regarding the mobilisation of Arunachal Scouts intended to reinforce the lines of the military forces already present in the region lead to the advancement of this issue toIndia’sPrime Ministerat the time,Dr. Manmohan Singh.[1]TheIndian Union Cabinetaddressed the matter in 2009, leading to the raising of the first battalion of Arunachal Scouts in 2010. The first battalion of the Arunachal scouts were raised out of the pre-existing ranks of theAssam Regimentof theIndian Army.[9]Therefore, although working as part of theAssam Regiment,the regiment personnel administering the defense ofArunachal Pradeshare from the region working as Arunachal Scouts.[9]The first division of Arunachal Scouts were posted in Rayang, in the regions Northeast with Rayang acting as the battalion’s headquarters, 30 kilometres away from the headquarters in theEast Siangregion.[1]In addition to acting as a means of fortifying frontier defense on the Tibetan border, the formation and mobilisation of the Arunachal Scouts was also used and viewed as a means of combating the high rates of unemployment experienced by youth in theArunachal Pradeshregion.[6]
Media reactions to the formation and mobilisation of Arunachal Scouts were rather positive, particularly when keeping the 1962 Chinese invasion of India as well as the more recent death of 20 soldiers in June 2020.[3]The general attitude towards the scouts acknowledges their familiarity with the region’s climate, land topography and more effective navigational routes and sites these special attributes to be a positive move in the direction of a strong military presence on the border with China.[3]
Roles and training[edit]
Under the pretence that it would assist in their future posting in the state, during their training the Arunachal Scouts were advised to familiarise themselves with thetopographyof varying landscapes of the region.[9]The soldiers of the Arunachal Scout battalions specialise inmountain warfaretactics.[9]Largely local to the region, when enlisting, Arunachal Scout soldiers are expected to have a deeper understanding of the requisite survival and operational skills that characterise mountain warfare in the North-eastern region.[6]
Similar to the role of theLadakh Scoutsin the country’s Northwest, the Arunachal Scouts play a largely strategic intelligence andguerrilla tacticrole along the front line.[7]Additionally, the scouts have the ability to gain intelligence from locals due to the advantage of trust within the community due to their being local and their ability to speak and understand the resident language.[6]
Beyond border defense[edit]
Following the crash of anAN-32aircraft belonging to theIndian Air ForceinArunachal Pradeshon 3 June in 2019, the Arunachal Scouts, along with theIndian armywere recruited to mobilise towards the accident site. Their role was largely to provide aid and assistance at ground zero, as well as ascertain the condition the occupants of the aircraft were in.[10]The aircraft was reportedly spotted 16 kilometres of Lipo at an estimated elevation of 12,000 feet.[10]There have also been instances whereby the Arunachal Scouts have been involved in the distribution of resources amongst local communities.[11]An instance occurred on 12 May 2020 whereby a scout and their family members distributed 10 kilograms of rice and 1 kilogram of salt each to approximately 112 people from a village in theLongdingregion ofArunachal Pradesh,financed by the scout member himself. The scout member also paid the costs involved in the transportation and procurement of the resources for the village.[11]
Tensions with police[edit]
The events of theBomdila police-Army incidenthave resulted in heightened tensions between the second battalion of Arunachal Scouts and localArunachal Pradeshpolice officers inBomdila.[12][13]Local police allege the altercation was sparked when scouts involved themselves in an altercation with the police forces and civilians and thus, were arrested during the Buddha Mahotsava celebration.[12]However, the army alleges that the scouts were arrested without reason, and were assaulted by theArunachal Pradesh police,sustaining serious injuries that lead to their hospitalisation upon their release from police custody.[12]Following on from the physical altercation between local police and the scouts, scout personnel reportedly showed up in hundreds and were reported to have vandalised the local police station and their office on the second day of theBuddha Mahotsavacelebrations.[13]The police allege members of the second regiment of Arunachal Scouts vandalised approximately five police vehicles, broke windows and doors and took weapons the local police stored in their station.[13]
Reception to the Scouts[edit]
Following theBomdila Police-Army incident,community organisations fromWest Kamengheld an emergency meeting, leading them to condemn the behaviour of the scouts.[13]The Local organisations ofWest Kamengperceived the actions of the 2nd battalion of Arunachal scouts to be indicative of a lack of regard for the local police and administration, expressing their solidarity with the district administration and police.[13]
TheAll Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union(AAPSU) also denounced the actions of the scouts, pushing for an inquiry into the incident as well as just punishment of the perpetrators.[13]Viewing their behaviour to be reflective of a disciplinary lapse, the AAPSU went further to express the fearful feelings members of the public had towards the scouts following the incident.[13]
InItanagaron 6 November, various Women’s associations of theWest Kamengregion ofArunachal Pradeshinitiated a protest against the second battalion of Arunachal Scouts inBomdila's Buddha Park, labelling their actions inBomdilaas "unruly rogue behaviour".[10]The protestors believed the actions of the scouts to be evidence of a "disregard for the policewomen on duty" as well as an absence of attitudes they believed to be conducive to the operation of a disciplined armed force.[10]Seeking action to rectify their perceived issues within the scouts, many protestors also took part to express their perception of being unsafe in the presence of the Arunachal Scouts.[10]
For almost a week, local media remained quiet on the altercation inBomdila,Arunachal Pradesh.[12]Some local news reporters fear that the events that occurred between the army and the police inArunachal Pradeshare indicative of larger issues of animosity, suspicion and resentment between the two forces.[12]Public support for the scouts as opposed to the police force has also been reported to cause stress for the IPS association and the Indian Civil and Administrative Services (ICS/AS).[12]Local news outlets report support from portions of the public despite actions of the scouts and have rather been acclaimed to be acts of bravery.[12]
References[edit]
- ^abc"First Arunachal Scouts battalion arrives in state".The Times of India.2 May 2012.Retrieved3 November2020.
- ^abcChellaney, Brahma (2012)."Rising Powers, Rising Tensions: The Troubled China-India Relationship".SAIS Review of International Affairs.32(2): 99–108.doi:10.1353/sais.2012.0030.ISSN1945-4724.S2CID153784562.
- ^abcdefg"Are India and China heading towards another war?".The Arunachal Times.28 October 2020.Retrieved24 November2020.
- ^abcdefRehman, Iskander (7 March 2018)."A Himalayan Challenge".Naval War College Review.70(1).ISSN0028-1484.
- ^Mansingh, Surjit (June 2011)."India and China Today and Tomorrow".The International Spectator.46(2): 41–55.doi:10.1080/03932729.2011.576170.ISSN0393-2729.S2CID154173779.
- ^abcde"Imbalance of Power".www.cnas.org.Retrieved3 November2020.
- ^abAkins, Harrison (17 August 2020)."The Assam Rifles and India's North-East frontier policy".Small Wars & Insurgencies.31(6): 1373–1394.doi:10.1080/09592318.2020.1778213.ISSN0959-2318.S2CID221158976.
- ^Huang, Yasheng (2011)."The Myth of Economic Complementarity in Sino-Indian RelationsS".Journal of International Affairs.64(2): 111–124.ISSN0022-197X.JSTOR24385537.
- ^abcd"The Arunachal Times - Archives - Nov 13".www.arunachaltimes.in.Retrieved3 November2020.
- ^abcde"Women stage protest against Arunachal Scouts' 'rogue behaviour'".The Arunachal Times.7 November 2018.Retrieved24 November2020.
- ^ab"Army jawan donates rations to villagers".The Arunachal Times.13 May 2020.Retrieved24 November2020.
- ^abcdefgPanag, Lt Gen H. S. (15 November 2018)."Arrogant bureaucracy and a sulking Army are not good for India's national security".ThePrint.Retrieved24 November2020.
- ^abcdefg"Arunachal Scouts personnel vandalize PS, PWD office".The Arunachal Times.4 November 2018.Retrieved24 November2020.