Boundaries

Issues and their solutions are inseparable part of human race. But, certain issues are complex in nature with ramifications extending beyond state, region and national boundaries. The word boundary is self defining. It lays down the limits both in terms of social and physical terms. Physically every home, every city, every state, every country has a boundary i.e. a symbol of identity. Sovereignty is the word that defines self rule over a well defined geographical area having fixed boundaries. In North East region of our country the efforts of the Governments (Centre and State Level) are not making headway on contentious demand of sovereignty. Keeping in mind the history and envisaging the complexities therein the readers may assess the pragmatism of the same.

ULFA’s main demand of sovereignty is the stumbling block for peace talks between GoI and the outfit. A recent public survey conducted by APW (Assam People’s Work) in nine insurgency affected districts of Assam has disregarded the three decade old demand of sovereignty by ULFA. We all know that the outfit did human carnage in Tinsukia district and the same is continuing in the state. This is a desperate attempt of the outfit to force their will on people. The dastardly “chivalry” of the outfit is shameful.

Do we know what are we asking for? Are we asking for Asom of Suikapha which included the Upper Assam district of undivided Jorhat, undivided Lakhimpur, parts of Nagaon and parts of Naga Hills? Are we asking for Asom of Nara Naryana Chilaria which extended from Sadiya to Ganges and Nepal (Bhutan included) to the Bay of Bengal (Manipur, Tripura and a number of districts of present Bangladesh)? Are we asking for Asom of Lachit Barphukan which extended from Sadiya to Mamah/Gadadhar after the battle of Saraighat? Are we meaning the Asom of British India which included –Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizo Hills, Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Barak Valley districts? Which Assam is in question?

One faction of NSCN is asking for Nagalim while other is not. The proposed Nagalim encompasses present Nagaland, certain areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Hill districts of Manipur and portion of Myanmar. Present geographical area of Nagaland is 16,527 Sq Km but proposed land is almost seven and half times more i.e. approx 120,000 Sq Km.
UNLF is asking for sovereignty of Manipur. Which Manipur? Is it historical Manipur or Present Manipur? As per R.B. Pemberton, a historian, the territories of Manipur have fluctuated at various times with the fortune of their princes, frequently extending for three or four days journey East beyond the Ningthee and Khyendwen river and West to the plains of Cacher.” James Johnstone was of the view that “sometimes Manipur extended her political boundaries up to Chindwin River and put a considerable territory under their rule and at other times Kabaw Valley was the only boundary of Manipur”.

Zoro (Zo Reunification Organization), founded in 1980, has been making efforts for reunification of all Zo tribes of the ‘Historical’ ‘Zoram’ which is now divided between India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Literal meaning of the word Mizo is Hillman (Mi-Man, Zo-Hill). Present Mizoram has 10 major tribes, each having many subtribes. Similar tribes/subtribes are also staying in neighbouring states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur (in India) and Bangladesh and Myanmar across. President of Zoro Mr Thangmawia while launching web site for his organization said, “The goal is to bring Zo tribes under one government”.

It is very easy to lay down the demand. There is an urgent need to introspect the pragmatism of this demand? Is not this demand self conflicting? Will these demands meet the aspirations or further aggravate grievances of people? What about the demands of smaller outfits like Bodos, Kukis etc that are demands within demands?

Will these demands find solution to the boundaries or make it more complex? Futuristically speaking; how many intra state, inter state and international conflicts are hidden in these demands? For how long the irretrievable but avoidable losses of lives and property will continue? Can any one answer these questions? Probably None!

Have we been able to find solutions to existing boundary problems that have arisen after the reorganization of erstwhile Greater Assam, out of which new states and union territories were carved out? Recently, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Nagaland, Shri TN Mannen felt that there is no hope of Nagaland and Assam boundary solution through boundary commission. He said “we should sort out the problem mutually instead of pointing fingers at each other”.

Now the perceived solution: political parties should cut across party lines irrespective of their affiliation to caste, creed, tribe, vote bank etc.; feel the natural sensitivities and insecurities of various tribes in present context; arrive at a commonly accepted solution in a focused manner; implement the accepted solution doggedly- hope
Politicians are able to display leadership traits to the people they represent.

From the foregoing and the complexities of the matter with no viable solution in sight the readers may decide themselves either to be pragmatic or continue with the unending problems. It is a fact that the youth of this region is sturdy, stout, hard working, capable and persevering but lacks positive leads. It is the parents, teachers and elders in the society who have to take this responsibility and engage the youth in exploring the unexplored potential within the youth and this region of our country. All the elders have to come out of the narrow confines in their thinking and inherit the same to the youth. Thereafter, sky is the limit for explored potential. This region will become envy of others but people’s pride true to famous ONIDA ad campaign ‘Neighbors Envy Owners Pride.’ “The New is within the Old concealed, The Old is within the New revealed”