POWER DOES NOT FLOW THROUGH BARREL

POWER DOES NOT FLOW FROM THE BARREL
During Chinese revolution, Mao Tse Tung had propagated that power flows from the barrel of the gun. Not always! The same nation is now talking of becoming super economic and technological power and military power is not emphasized. Military might of USA is universally known but has it succeeded in Vietnam and Iraq? It is not the power of gun but the WILL of masses. Germany and Japan also have a great say in world order being economic powers and not military powers. Russia was acknowledged the other pole of polarized powerful world but was disintegrated due to poor economy. Hitler and his deputy Goebbels were able to win over large territories without firing a single shot before they actually started WWII. All these indicate only one thing that power does not lay in the gun but in the man behind the gun,
Military might or the power of gun is only brute power with a very little and localized impact unlike the power of ideas or mind which is all pervasive. Even Mao who propagated the concept of power of gun had written large number of books to change the minds of the people. Ideas once conceived need to be nurtured, implanted in minds & reared for desired growth. It is the ideas that can turn the tables and not the gun. Mahatma Gandhi most admired nonviolent leader in the world had masses behind him because he was able to impact the minds of people. This force helped him shake the roots of British Empire without the gun.
North East Region (NER) of our nation has been suffering from long-drawn-out violence for six decades with no end in sight. Applying the concept of violence through wielding of gun in NER one can only arrive at a conclusion that these are not activists but thugs who are terrorizing men women and children for their vested interests. The killings of innocents, extortions, kidnapping for ransom and bandhs (either called by UGs or against the activities of UGs) is the order of the day. A young man when recruited by the outfits through false promises feels power of wielding the gun due to adrenalin flow but is disappointed later. If the gun was that powerful it would have yielded results. The same was realized first by Mizoram and the state is on trajectory of peace and progress.
Of late futility of power of gun has been realized by some members of the outfits. Cadres from A and C companies of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) have declared unilateral ceasefire and formed a Pro Talk ULFA group. The group is making serious efforts to persuade more members of the outfit to lay down arms and enter into a peace process. Major ZD Akho ( ex NSCN(IM)) cadre got associated with the proscribed outfit in 1990 but now he has disassociated himself due to malicious functioning of the outfit, disregard to erstwhile human values, disregard to safety & security of younger cadres etc. He says, “I joined the organization out of love for my country, why should I agree to be employed in destroying our own people” (Nagaland Post dated 18 Feb 08).
Importance of entering in dialogue and futility of violent struggle is well understood by the statement made by General Secretary, Chorkhy, of United Liberation Front of Barak Valley (ULFBV) during surrender ceremony. He surrendered with 305 cadres and said,” We realized that we can’t achieve anything by armed struggle. As far as development of our community and other tribal groups is concerned we are still there where we were seven years back (outfit was founded in2001).” What a prudent remark! It sounds true for every outfit in the region. The region has not got the deserved status despite all the favorable inputs like; simple and dedicated human resource, abundance of natural resources, luxuriant valleys and clean climate.
The differences in mass reactions to inter factional killings and killings/ harassment of innocents by the cadres of various outfits are an eye opener. When a militant is killed reaction is either from the same outfit for disowning own cadre or blame other outfits or SFs. When these out fits kill innocents or kidnap innocents or extort for self claimed degenerative aims the reactions are a galore and all inclusive. This includes reactions of leaders, students, women and NGOs etc talking in unison against these heartless and shameful acts. Now the people have realized the fact that power lies in their will to fight injustice met to their
freedom.
There are number of incidents where the armed cadres have been chased out by unarmed but determined public. In Aug five Kangliepak Communist Party-Military Council (KCP-MC) cadres, who were trying to kidnap two children, were thrashed by villagers of Nambol Khabi before police arrested them. Two cadres of Peoples Republic of Kangliepak (PREPAK) were rounded up by locals to prevent the attempted abduction of Zila Parishad members in Imphal East under Heingang police station on 04 Oct 08 ( The Sangai Express datelined 05 Oct). There are cases where these cadres have been lynched also. Determined action of the people is laudable by any score and this is the only way to deal with the criminals, thugs and loots. This can only lead to a peaceful, progressive and developed society where children can breathe an air of freedom. This can only get the desired and deserved status to this beautiful landscaped region where simple but people with rich values exist
“Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict- alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence.” ‘Dorothy Thompson’

(Readers can reach out to the author via email:jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in OR post views on blog jaey-geoffery.blogspot.com

GROWTH ENGINE MUST CHUG

GROWTH ENGINE MUST CHUG
North East Region (NER) of India comprising of eight states constitutes 9% land mass of the country. It abounds in rich forests, verdant valleys with salubrious climate, scenic spots and unharnessed tourist potential despite inherent natural advantages. The campaign Incredible India has done lot of good to market India’s tourist potential. This region with natural advantages for tourism can contribute towards the larger aim and also help the region achieve socio economic objectives. It has been seen that travel & tourism sector creates more jobs per million rupees of investment than any other sector of the economy and is capable of providing employment to a wide spectrum of job seekers from the unskilled to the especially skilled people even in the remote parts of the country. It is a growth engine which needs a constant chug to bring constant progress, constant prosperity and constant development in the region. But for this engine to chug a visitor needs to be given value for his money both in physical and psychological plane.
In last few years it is seen that out of the total tourists coming to India only 4% came to NER despite its potential to attract more. Tourism industry is contributing approx 6% to India’s GDP, generating approx 51 million jobs but earns less than 1% share of World’s Foreign Exchange earnings. For every one foreign tourist, there are 80 domestic tourists in India. To cash in on this potential and ensure value for money of a tourist; inputs are being factored in NER i.e. laying of new rail lines, conversion of M.G to BG rail lines, four laning of roads (NH-53, NH-39 etc), cheaper air traffic more air lines in the fray, creation of first adventure park in Manipur out of MPLAD fund and addition of other infrastructural facilities required for tourism. But at what speed is the implementation of this much needed infrastructural development? Thankfully nine rail projects (1450 KMs of rail lines approx) linking six states (Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram) have been declared as national projects and constant flow of funds is ensured under non lapsable fund to accelerate the same.
Recently during the fourth business summit of North East Council at Gauhati the CMs of Nagaland and Manipur made a strong case for removal of permit system (PAP & RAP) that restricts foreign travel to their states. Inner Line Permit (ILP) also needs to be removed for ensuring more domestic visitors. These permits are a legacy of colonial legislation (Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1863) that made it compulsory for any outsider to obtain the permit. These permits were implemented by Britishers to sow the seeds of separatism and prevent interaction between locals and outsiders and nurse their own interests. What place do these permits have in globalized world where people share thoughts, views and interact through web without seeing the other person? Besides this people of this region are making a difference both nationally and internationally and fusion of original and new values is the order of the day. The band ABIOGENESIS of Nagaland is making waves in Mumbai both for Indian and Foreign music lovers. Numbers of locals are displaying various levels of reckonable enterprise. This is the time to have more of inclusive societies than exclusive societies to gain advantage of all-round progress.
Out of eight states; Mehalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram are almost violence free and other four states Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura has large areas that are violence free. Still tourist flow is not at desired level. Would a tourist whose mind is preoccupied with the news of bomb blasts and staccato of rifle shots like to come and have a safer and relaxed holiday? Can any state think of reaping the rich dividends of this growth oriented sector in insecure environment? Can any one think that vested interests with self claimed aims are likely to head any where ignoring socio economic growth? Answer to this is a CERTAIN NO! The trend is visible in declining tourist traffic in this part of the country. We all know the negative effect on tourism of 9/11attack on WTC in 2001 and Bali/Red Sea resort in Egypt. Similarly violence against non locals in Assam had led to issue of warnings by USA, UK and Australia to their country men visiting India (especially North East India). Present violence at Udalguri between Bodos and Muslims may also have a similar effect.
Guwahati is the gateway to the region, more so when major tourist traffic is of domestic origin that travels more by surface transport. Inadequacy of infrastructure for stay can be enhanced where every North Easterner will contribute towards this sector. Bed and Breakfast scheme can contribute to individual, village, town, district and state economy. The facilities can be absolute ethnic with contemporary touch but eco friendly. Tourist should be given every thing ethnic from stay to travel to include various modes of transport. Standards for ethnic stay facilities can be laid down that are controlled and monitored by the village council. The village council should keep records of visitors that are liable to scrutiny if need be. Pronounced grass root level democracy is forte of this part of the country, more than other places.
Previously tourism was only considered to be responsibility of private enterprise. It is a good sign that now this may be included in concurrent list and granted constitutional status. Besides other products of this industry Health tourism and Geo tourism (e.g.1032 caves in Meghalaya) in the region can also contribute a lot. As part of
Look East Policy and proposed (by Honorable PM) PAFTA (Pan ASEAN Free Trade Area) the neighboring country tourist inflow to this region is likely to increase.
Wish the spirit of resorting to political dialogue by ULFBV (United Liberation Front of Barak Valley) prevails across all the militant groups in NER. The outfit has bid farewell to arms. In surrender ceremony its General Secretary Chorkhy said,” We have realized that we can’t achieve anything by armed struggle. As far as development of our community and other tribal groups is concerned we are still there where we were seven years back (outfit was founded in2001).” The same is true for all the groups claiming to fight for their communities. Let the atmosphere of peace prevail in NER. Let others change their opinion that how much the region has to offer them. Present generation needs to live not only for present times but leave a developed and progressive societal heritage for our future generations too. Therefore, the growth engine must chug and cause excellence and richness in society.

Geoffery
(Readers can reach out to the author via email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in OR post views on blog: jaey-geoffery.bolgspot.com)