Ashok is Divisional Commissioner of one of the border districts of the North East State. A few years back, Military has taken over the neighbouring country after overthrowing the elected civil government. Civil war situation is prevailing in the country especially in last two years. However, internal situation further deteriorated due to rebel groups taking over control of certain populated areas near own border. Due to intense fight between military and rebel groups, civilian casualties has increased manifold in recent past. In the meantime, in one night Ashok got information from the local police guarding the border check post that there are about 200-250 people mainly women and children trying to cross over to our side of the border. There are also about 10 soldiers with their weapons in military uniform part of this group who wants to cross over. Women and Children are also crying and begging for help. A few of them are injured and bleeding profusely need immediate medical care. Ashok tried to contact Home Secretary of the State but failed to do so due to poor connectivity mainly due to inclement weather.(a) What are the options available with Ashok to cope with the situation?(b) What are the ethical and legal dilemmas being faced by Ashok?(c) Which of the options, do you think would be more appropriate for Ashok to adopt and why?(d) In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the Border Guarding Police in dealing with soldiers in uniform?
What the examiner wants
As Divisional Commissioner, Ashok must decide on 200–250 refugees, mostly women and children, plus 10 armed soldiers seeking entry at night, without contact with superiors.
Demand-wise check
- 1(a) Options: turn all back; let everyone in; admit civilians on humanitarian grounds and treat the injured, disarm and detain soldiers; wait for orders≈50 words
- 2(b) Dilemmas: humanitarian duty vs border security; law on foreigners vs non-refoulement; lack of authority vs urgency≈50 words
- 3(c) Best: give immediate medical aid; admit women and children to a secure camp; disarm and separate soldiers; inform the Home Secretary and central agencies as soon as possible≈50 words
- 4(d) Precautions with soldiers: disarm, verify identity, keep separate, record, hand over to central security forces≈50 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Where marks usually go
- Turning back injured women and children
- Letting armed soldiers in without disarming
Draw this
- Triage diagram: injured → civilians → soldiers
Value addition
- ExampleIn 2021 Mizoram gave shelter to thousands fleeing Myanmar after its military coup.Government of Mizoram / media reports
- LawArticle 21 protects the life of all persons, including foreigners (NHRC v State of Arunachal Pradesh, 1996).Supreme Court of India
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 31 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 31 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 33 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 35 ↗Same syllabus reference
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