Opening Roads in Military Cantonments

What is the issue?

• Government recently ordered the opening of all roads in military cantonments.
• Families of Army officers and retired Army personnel are increasingly opposing this move.

What are military cantonments?

• Cantonments are designed as places of residence of both civilians and military personnel.
• There are nearly 6o cantonments across the country.
• Cantonment Boards are elected bodies.
• They run schools, hospitals, and vocational training centres.
• They cater to a civilian population of more than 21 lakh.
• Moreover, cantonments are notified in the gazette and governed by an Act of Parliament.
• Any change in the governance of cantonments needs an amendment to the Act by Parliament.
• This includes barring civilians from using the roads within them.

What was the problem?

• Some cantonment roads are closed for the general public.

• There were instances in which places of worship could not be reached due to closure of these routes.
• Other incidents highlighted the cemetery becoming inaccessible due to these restrictions.
• Some roads were closed by the local military authorities without following the existing procedure.

What is the government's decision?

• A government order for opening all roads in cantonments was issued.
• Also, a procedure for closing any road was also formally given by the Defence Ministry.
• It will be based on intelligence inputs and for security considerations.
• The Ministry proposes to undertake a review of the state of roads in cantonments soon.

What are the concerns?

• The major objection to the opening of roads is related to the security of military installations.
• Also, the families of Army personnel staying inside the cantonments.
• There is also a fear that the land mafia might try to encroach on defence land in the cantonments.
• Retired officers complain that the decision was taken without consulting the Army.
• The issue has suggested a deterioration of civil-military relations.

What is the government's response?

• The order was issued only after a litany of complaints to the Ministry.
• The government argues that its orders do not affect the security posture.
• This is because they do not deal with military stations but only with cantonments.

Source: Indian Express