ECONOMIC DEPRESSION OR SMALL THINGS IN BIG CITIES

ECONOMIC DEPRESSION
OR
SMALL THINGS IN BIG CITIES
Conventional wars are costlier in men, money and material. Therefore nations have devised ways of resorting to unconventional wars to meet their strategic needs. It could be anything: proxy war, economic war or any thing else with an aim to save crucial resources, avoid international flak and deny or accept the blame in case need be. Of late India has been a target. Because other nations, both with in the continent and out side the continent, are viewing India as stringent competitor. It is a fact that the developed, developing and under developed nations envisage the emerging, vibrant and resurgent new India and its role in new world economic order. Financial tsunami has hit the global markets and our country too has its share of its ramifications. Still Indian economy has been rated as resilient economy to with stand this global crisis stoically.
Recent 3 days siege of Mumbai (26 Nov to 28 Nov 08) has thrown up many lessons. Initial estimates say that this has resulted in a loss of approx 50000 crores plus Forex loss of about 20 billion dollars. It does not include the losses due to intangibles like fear psychosis, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their all encompassing and prolonging effects. These losses are spread across markets, entertaining, shoping and food sectors etc. Tourism has been worst hit. Most of the air lines and hotels are receiving cancellation orders. This incident has given a message to the world that India is not a safe destination given the number of attacks that have affected the country in the past. Important aspect of the siege are two; one, that few fugitives could keep the nation guessing, hoping and praying( for 72 Hrs) for their near and dear ones taken hostages at Taj, Oberoi and Nariman house. Two, that hostages killed were multinational i.e. Indians (as always have been), Americans, Germans, Japanese, English and Israelis. This has garnered international response to such crisis unlike earlier.
India had been facing such crises since the beginning of new millennium. The complete spectrum of happenings reflect that chosen targets have been metros or places frequented by visitors e.g. Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mumbai etc. These are also the places where visible symbols of progress are located e.g. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Defense Laboratories etc. Mumbai siege has been rated the biggest terror attack ever in the country. This is also compared to 9/11 of USA since two iconic buildings Taj and Oberoi had been attacked.
Mumbai is an example of direct attacking by visible foreign elements. But there had been other attacks that had been perpetrated, by vested interests, in Northern India, Central India and North East Region (NER) and the country has been bleeding in many ways. Out of total 28 states almost 19 are affected by perpetrated violence today or one can say 55 to 60 % of the country is affected by this. The involvement of DGFI of Bangladesh, ISI of Pakistan and Chinese elements is well known and documented. As per reports Assam blast ( 30 Oct 08) finger points towards China. Every one knows the role played by these agencies in training Ultras operating against our country and also provision of arms to them. The loss in Mumbai is estimable because financial capital is already at the helm of development. What about the losses of the regions those are under developed but suffering from constant violence? What about the money that is invested in these regions for development but perpetrated violence does not let it happen? Despite investing tons of exchequers money the development in these regions is abysmal. These regions and areas are at the same level of development as they were many years back.
In NER can the latent positive role of unexplored human potential, unexplored natural resource and unexplored natural potential be ignored? This is all due to perpetrated violence. Human resource of the region is raw, simple and like clay that can be molded to the developing needs of the region. Besides this future generations are also growing in the shadow of Klashnikovs and Improvised Explosive Devices. They are growing with fear psychosis and PTSD. Can the financial loss of this be estimated? This region has un harnessed potential of hydropower ( 50000m MW), natural gas ( 151068 billion cubic feet) and coal (865 million tones) and Uranium etc. Can the delay in exploring these resources and buying the same by using forex reserves be measured in economic terms? Can the delay caused by violence in developing much needed road and rail communication and its impact on development be estimated in economic terms? Wish it could be! Then alone one could have learnt the financial impact of the violence. This is not counting the resources committed to contain violence.
What has come out clearly is the lack of Political Will to find solutions due to political reasons. Otherwise home minister of Maharashtra ( RR Patil)would not have made irresponsible statement “ Bare Shehron mein chhottee chhotee batein hoti rehti hain or small incidents like this keep happening in big cities.” The same gentleman refused to accept responsibility of his failure. Shame on such leaders. It clearly indicates that our politicians are more of POLITI- SCIONS (being adept at dividing the society) and DEALERS but not leaders (only arrangement of letters differs). The WILL of the elected representatives need to match the expectations of the represented and synergized with by suitable action, otherwise present euphoria of being able to withstand financial crisis may turn to nightmare by evitable losses due to violence that will become cumulative with current crisis.

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

COUNTERVAILING GROWTH

COUNTERVAILING GROWTH


Twelve serial blasts in Assam on 30 Oct 08 was another blow to growth trajectory of India. Current growth rate (9%) has already been affected by the ongoing financial tsunami. Financial pundits have predicted that current growth rate may not be sustained but it may not be affected very badly. But how much is any one’s guess? Experts ascribe perceived strength to finer checks and balances of Indian economy. But what about terror that is shadowing the nation’s progress like an evil does the good.
India’s present growth rate was put on blocks in early nineties when protectionist policies made place for policies of economic liberalization. Now is the time when nation has caught up speed in economic growth that hardly crossed the mark of 3% before nineties? This speed has given status and power to the nation. The same can be gauged, the way India is viewed by developed nations now vis a vis pre nineties. It is a proud moment the way other nations are having a re-look at their foreign policies towards India. Recent Indo –US nuclear deal is a testimony of paradigm shift in the thinking of developed nations. This gives an added impetus to the image, power and status of our nation. Other economies have feeling of confidence and reliance on our capabilities.
Albeit there are certain forces who want to countervail this growing power. Probably an asymmetric war is played against the country by those who are either not able to keep pace or others through covert sponsoring. This is done in the form of terror acts to condition the psyche of people at large. This has an effect on our people as well as on those having interest in our country. Going through the chronology of terror acts one concludes that during the gestation period of growth (i.e. decade of nineties) these acts were also few and far between. But as the runner picked up speed in the new millennium countervailing forces have also gained momentum.
2008 has been worst till date. In 2001 it was attack on parliament (the power centre). In 2003 the target was financial capital (Mumbai). 2005 was aimed at hitting the psyche before the most celebrated festival (Diwali) of India i.e. a blast in crowded Sarojini Nagar Market of Delhi. In 2006 it was Varanasi and Mumbai (again). In 2007 it was Panipat and Hyderabad (twice). 2008 is the culmination with number of serial blasts in places that matter to country’s progress i.e. Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Surat, Delhi (twice) and now the sensitive Assam. The latest blasts are more to be seen as threat to much talked about Look East Policy (LeP) aimed at projecting the best of North East Region (NER).
Quantitatively figures of those killed (approx 600) in new millennium due to terror are negligible as compared to population of more than 100 crores. Qualitatively and measuring by the factors responsible for power i.e. condignment, compensation and conditioning the effect is enormous. Condignment or punishment to a big country like ours is both big and small. Big in the sense that any small organization can raise its head and say,” catch us if you can”. It is also conditioning the minds of people against efficacy of law and order in the State. It is also driving wedge in the diversities of the country. Small in the sense there are lot of intrinsic contradictions in our democratic set up. It affects own countrymen, it affects those evincing interest in our country. It affects the foreign investors. It affects the tourism industry etc. Question is: is it an asymmetric combat against a progressive economy by those who are lagging behind? Is it an assymetric combat by developed economies that see developing ones as threat? Is our internal contradiction taking the toll?
Probably answer lies in mix of all the above. Abetment, encouragement and sponsoring of insurgencies in J&K and NER and other parts of our country by ISI, DGFI and other foreign agencies are an established fact. Out of 29 states in India almost 19 states are affected by violence (12 states in Northern, Central and Southern India plus 7 states of North East India). The aim is to weaken the nation both on material and psychological plane. Internal contradictions of divisive polity in the country can not be ignored. The symbiosis of polity, bureaucracy and under ground (UG) elements needs no telling. The symbiosis of UG in Border States and foreign elements is well documented. Planting of bombs during recent blasts in Assam are perceived to have been done by ULFA at the behest of agencies across border. There is a need to change nation’s response from plain rhetoric, fault finding and reactive to decisively measured proactive response. Our democracy needs to learn a lesson from recent hotly ever contested Presidential elections in US. Republican candidate Mc Cain not only accepted his defeat gracefully but promised to extend all the help to Obama in governance unlike our democracy where a defeated party leaves no stone unturned to pull down the ruling govt.

“Power has two aspects…It is a social necessity…It is also a social menace.”
‘De Jouvenel’



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

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)

TERROR TERROR TERROR

TERROR, TERROR, TERROR


India has been having a liberal dose of terror attacks since the beginning of 21st century. Parliament attack in 2001 has been followed by number of attacks at other places to bleed the nation through many wounds. Most of the big cities like Bombay, Hyderabad, Bangalore & Delhi along with smaller places of importance like Panipat (in Haryana) and Jaipur in Rajasthan etc. have been targeted. It takes its toll (tangible & intangible) in terms of men, material and spread of fear psychosis. There comes the question of finding a solution to this unending bane.
Anti terror laws enacted by the affected states are awaiting approval by the centre. In a democratic country like ours the citizens are more concerned about their own rights than duties. That is the reason that anti terror laws are not being enacted. Similar is the case with imposition of far- reaching Armed Forces Special Powers act (AFSPA) in North East (NE) region of this country. There had b.een number of outcries to repeal this sweeping legislation in favor of human rights. In a liberal democratic setup like ours personal liberties and personal rights are well understood but what about societal liberties and societal rights? Does not the society has right to enjoy peace, prosperity and progress?
Need to learn from the experience of more liberal countries like USA, Australia ,UK etc. who have been able to check terror activities by enacting tough laws and making it more difficult for the miscreants to operate. But these have to have a centrifugal effect i.e. cleansing terror from inside out. The USA PATRIOT ACT of 2001 (uniting & strengthening America by providing appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism act 2001) has allowed the US security agencies to search telephone, email communications, medical, financial and other records. Australia has given “stop and search” powers to their police, which allow the police to stop and search people. The country also has a “control order” that empowers police to approach a closed court and ask restrictions to be placed on some one who poses a terror threat. The UK’s new counter terrorism bill extends the pre charge detention of terror suspects from 28 to 42 days.
NE region has been conflict ridden for past six decades now. In 1958 AFSPA was enforced in this region to provide safety to armed forces personnel (Officer, JCO, NCO) against the impunity and freedom enjoyed by insurgents for violence. Under this act armed forces personnel are empowered to arrest a person without warrant on suspicion and open fire incase required for maintaining public order. These special powers are only vested to armed forces in case the area has been declared disturbed by the state and notification issued by the central government. It is always voiced that armed forces commit excesses but a silver lining is that human rights commissions (HRCs) exercise check on these excesses. There are numbers of cases that come to light where armed forces personnel have been booked by the court (army/civil) for the excesses committed and victim granted compensation (thanks to HRCs). But in a democracy and free society this kind of laws that restrict individual freedom but ensure societal well being are unwelcome.
The beautiful canvas of NE region is stained with blots of militancy. So called insurgents have turned to terrorists and criminals. Various feeder highways (NH-39, NH-53, NH-150) have been divided as per area of influence of various outfits. Besides this all employees and businessmen these taxes get added to the costs which a common man pays. Cyclic effect of all this is widespread corruption. All employees charge money to do the official work by ensuring governance of deprivation where a common man is compelled to grease the palms of officials. It is also learnt that the outfits collect and spend money on welfare. Readers need to think about whose welfare it is (own leaders who are staying abroad) pseudo organizations (who only know to put fuel into the fire) or cadres (used as cannon fodders). The status of pseudo organizations is like an unscrupulous monkey who deprived the two cats of bread by his clever moves and ate up the same himself. Hierarchy of the outfits is not interested in finding solutions because it will strip them of unwarranted privileges. The case of higher echelons of the outfits owning prime properties in the country and outside the country is well known.
Mizoram has been freed of the yoke of AFSPA. States of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh of this region did not need such an act. This act was repealed with in Imphal municipal limits in response to large scale protests after Th. Manorama case in 2004. But has the repealing made Imphal a safer place or more unsafe? Readers may draw their own conclusions because maximum numbers of kidnappings, extortions, bomb attacks, grenade attacks etc are reported from that area. There is a need to predictably localize the movements of the terrorists/ UGs by befitting restrictions and empowering agencies meant to ensure safety and security of common man.
The writer is not canvassing for AFSPA but there is need to introspect and arrive at a point when the state does not feel the necessity to declare the area as disturbed. Part III and IV of Indian Constitution deal with fundamental rights and directive principles of state policy. Article 21 reads; “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law”. There is need of whole hearted contribution by law makers,. law keepers and society at large to uphold the spirit of the said article. There is need to change our mind set from only self welfare to societal welfare. There is need to create conditions for repealing the hated act and there should be no need to impose it ever.



Geoffery
(readers are reach out to the writer via email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in or post views on jaey-geoffery.blogspot.com

People;s Voice is God's Voice

PEOPLE’s VOICE IS GOD’s VOICE
“God has not given us the spirit of timidity but of Power, Love and Discipline” ‘2 Timothy 2:7’
All religions, all faiths, all societies in the world believe that there is some super power who controls the man kind. This super power is called by different names; God, Allah, Christ, Satguru etc. It is also said that the almighty resides in the people he has created. Therefore the voice of the people is His voice. This region (NE) of our country has been conflict ridden for almost six decades now. Though part of this region is peaceful ie. Arunachal & Sikkim and part seemingly peaceful ie eghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura and balance is suffering from myriad forms of violence.
This violence was ideology based earlier and was backed by the masses. But now ideology has morphed in to criminology. These criminals, claiming themselves as fighting for a cause, are mistaken patriots. At the outset all the organisations starting form NNC, NSCN, UNLF and ULFA have faced splits and sub splits to be headed by one of the break away cadres who did not get his share of ill gotten gains. This has made the situation more complex in the region and resulted in down right terror activities, criminalization, mafiaisation of these groups and sub groups. Each one is trying for a major share of material gains but claiming to represent a spiritual cause for the society it comes from.
Crime index in the region is showing an upward trend especially Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. All sorts of crimes that were never heard of earlier (being of anti tribal value) are being committed now e.g. kidnapping, flesh trade, rape, extortion, murder, theft etc. This is nothing but a distressed attempt of various gangs to express their failed power of gun they are happy to exercise. Now all sections of society are up against these social crimes. A society that was known for its indigenous but rich human values and bonding seems to have run out of patience. There are reactions in abundance from children, elders, shop keeper, teachers, businessmen etc.
Youth seem to have realized the senselessness of gun culture; therefore they are not lured by false recruitment promises of UGs. These outfits decided to kidnap and forcibly recruit the innocent children in desperation. An eight year old was kidnapped by two suspected militants in Mangaldoi and a failed attempt was also made to kidnap a shopkeeper. This invited a huge protest in Mangaldoi (Telegraph dt 26 Aug 08). Father of eight year old said, “I have no enemies. I really cannot understand who could have kidnapped my son”. Probably he stated this under fear.
For past few months in Manipur, children are afflicted by fear psychosis, traumatised and worried about their future. Angombi Chandra said, “Children are pillars of the nation and if the militants keep doing these evil activities they will ruin children’s life. So it will not bring any good to the nation”. Another student Laxmi said, “I really don’t like such kind of atmosphere. It affects our studies. She also added that in future, I would like to see Manipur to be very developed and all should be in unity” (Manipur Mail datelined 27 Aug 08). There is a loud message in the voice of children, ‘Please ADD LIFE to our years and NOT FEAR to our lives”.
In Nagaland Church leaders, elders, businessmen, NGOs are voicing against factional violence in unison. Church leaders are making constant reconciliatory efforts. Gaon Burahs (GBs) and Dobashis DBs) association took initiative to bring an end to factional violence but of no avail. Now GBs and DBs have called for state wide bandh to protest against continued but avoidable factional violence (Nagaland Post datelined 29 Aug 08). There are number of protests against plethora of crimes depicting declining societal values.
In Manipur every one is aware of the strike by humble rickshaw pullers, truckers, teachers, govt. employees against unreasonable demands of the outfits and difficulties faced by common man. On 28 Aug 08 shops along Sega road (in Imphal) downed their shutters and staged Wakat Meepham to protest against monetary demands of KYKL ( Rs/- 30000, 20000 and 10000 from A,B,C grade shops respectively ( The Sangai Express datelined 29 Aug 08). Not a single day passes when some or the other civil group is not protesting against mayhem of terrorists. At the same time KYKL and UNLF have come out with a blue print of Joint Task Force Medical and Health (JTF-MH) aimed to cleanse the administrative decay for benefit of masses ( Imphal Free Press datelined 24 Aug 08). It is nothing but a ploy to plough more funds for their treasury by wielding the gun against doctors, contractors and pharmacists.
In Assam, Peace Consultative Group (PCG) was set up in 2005 to commence peace process with ULFA which is nowhere in sight despite the people’s desperate desire. Now the people have realized the reason that top ULFA leadership is ravishing their lives in Bangladesh with their business running in multi million dollars. This is not withstanding the money extorted, collected and sent by the cadres in Assam. Probably futility of the same has also been realized by leadership of 28 and 709 battalions who form the Pro Talk ULFA group. Jiten Dutta ( Pro Talk leader of 28 battalion of ULFA) said,” People of Assam want peace and the ULFA central leadership should respect the aspirations of the people and come for unconditional peace talks”.
There are number of cases where some of these cadres have been beaten, chased out and even lynched by the people. Probably masses are conveying Seneca’s (Roman Philosopher) message to miscreants in a very strong manner i.e. “to be feared is to fear; No one has been able to strike terror into others and at the same time enjoy peace of mind’.

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

CEASEFIRES(CFs) AND SoO

CEASEFIRES (CFs) AND SoO
CFs and SoO (Suspension of Operations) with Under Ground (UG) Groups of North East (NE) region are the same side of a coin. Other side is the violence. Both aim at stopping the violence in society. The difference between the two is, the former is bipartite (UG Group and GoI) and latter tripartite (UG Group, GoI & State Govt). Ceasefires have given birth to a new form of seemingly legalized violence in public places. Probably SoO may be better since state govt is on board. It is heartening that the most troubled state (Manipur) of this region has embarked on SoO (first ever) with the conglomerations of Kuki, Zomi and Hmar outfits i.e. United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO). Probably others will follow the suit. Previously it was between SF and UG Group without recognition of Manipur govt.
CF between NSCN (IM) and GoI has been in existence for 11 years now but there is no respite to violence in Nagaland. In fact the violence has made a dangerous shift from uninhabited areas to thickly populated towns. The results can be gauged from one of the conversation, the author had with a shop keeper in Dimapur (a business hub). On being questioned about the present situation in Nagaland, The reply was, “It was better 20 years ago”. Author interrupted, “It was peak of insurgency then and now it is ceasefire”. Shopkeeper replied, “Demand notes (for money) by NSCN were in hundreds then and now it is in lakhs”.
GoI also entered into a CF with Khaplang faction of NSCN in 2001. Now there is an emergence of third group called unification group of NSCN. It is formed by breakaway cadres of NSCN (IM) and headed by Sumi leaders Azheto Chophy and brother of Isak Swu (President of IM group). This group posed it self as a new Robin Hood but is far from it. It is not in a ceasefire mode. Earlier factional clashes were between two groups but now it is amongst three groups. These are more for control of major territory of Nagaland for maximum ill-gotten gains. It has resulted in killing of more number of Nagas both by direct clash of the groups and collateral damage to innocent civilians. Chingwak Konyak, leader of congress legislator party (CLP) said about the prevailing situation, “It is not that Nagas fear Indian army nor other security forces but they (Nagas) fear their own brothers”. As per Institute of conflict management there had been a total of 255 insurgent related fatalities in 2006 and 2007. Out of this 204 were naga militants (terrorists) and 49 naga civilians.
After CF with NSCN groups followed number of CFs with other groups in the region e.g. United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), Bodos, Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) etc. Latest is Hywennwerp National Liberation Council (HNLC) wanting to enter into a ceasefire after realizing the senselessness of gun culture. Despite all this violence level in Assam is not declining. Only United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) can not be blamed for the violence in Assam but also the outfits committed to CF. In 2006 and 2007 there were total of 913 insurgency related incidents that resulted in death of 450 civilians, 175 insurgents and 56 SFs in Assam.
ULFA is not entering into peace talks despite Assamese wanting peace desperately. ULFA is also divided between pro talk (break away cadres of 28th and 709th battalion) and anti talk i.e. rest of ULFA including C in C Paresh and President Rajkhowa. The outfit has set conditions to dodge the peace initiative since the ULFA leadership is living lavishly in Bangladesh and cadres are languishing in poverty. To quote director of Assam Public Works (APW, an organization of kith and kin of ULFA), “since ULFA C in C Paresh Barua and Chairman Arbindo Rajkhowa have been minting money and living a lavish life in Bangladesh. They are reluctant to hold peace talks with the government even though people of Assam want peace in the state.” (The Sentinel datelined 12 Jul08).
Now it is SoO with UPF and KNO; accumulations of eight and seven outfits respectively. Will this be more effective than ceasefire and how can ceasefires be made effective? Will this give these outfits a chance to run their own writ in more open and more legalized manner? Every sane citizen feels the effect of failing governance in the states. Every one feels there is parallel governance by insurgent turned mafia or gangs of criminals who need to be reined in soonest possible. Do the CF and SoO mean that the outfit will carry out those activities that were being done covertly earlier?
Let the appeasement be not out of fear or to avoid unpleasant ness but from a position of strength and with clear policies. This is the only sure way of lasting peace. CF ground rules say that GoI will ensure implementation of agreement with the group. Law and order is a state subject and state legislature is a constitutionally elected body. Therefore it is legitimate that state govt. implements the agreement clauses on behalf of GoI. Is it being done or refused willingly since the state is not a signatory to the agreement? The people who have elected legislators of state govt. to power have all the right to expect a fair deal and not left to protracted and avoidable inconveniences. This is also written that members of the outfits under CF will not move with weapons and will not resort to recruitment, extortion, illegal blockades etc. But this is the order of the day. Besides getting maintenance allowance the cadres are engrossed in all sorts of proscribed activities (of a civil society) to fill their coffers.
The maintenance allowance to the cadres should not be given as a grant but it should be linked to productivity. The state govt. should be house the cadres in safe places and impart vocational training under a secure environment. There after these cadres can be engaged in productive activities like pineapple industry, growing of vanilla trees, organic farming, rubber industry etc and the products could be sold out by a cooperative. This needs to planned, executed and actioned both in retrospect and prospect.
“Let us never negotiate out of Fear. Let us never fear to Negotiate”
‘John F Kennedy’
Geoffery
(Readers can reach out to the author via email: jaey_geoffery@rediffmail.co.in OR post views on blog: jaey-geoffery.bolgspot.com)

TERROR ALERT / TERROR AVERT

TERROR ALERT/TERROR AVERT
North East (NE) region of our country is strategically located and shares its borders with other countries i.e. Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh but connected to rest of the country through 20 mile wide corridor called Chicken Neck. This region has suffered from insurgency since independence. Naga insurgency is the oldest of all insurgencies in the region. Presently the number of under ground (UG) outfits operating in an over ground manner, in this region, are to be counted to be believed. Their love and hate relationship due to mutual/ individual conveniences are well known. Come! Any important day i.e. Independence Day (15 Aug) or Republic day (26 Jan) or any big festival an alert is sounded either by the intelligence agencies or alert of non cooperation by terrorist (criminal) organisations. Will this alert (a norm in this region) be continued till eternity or steps taken to avert the terror filled environment? Question is when & how?
There is a story. Put a frog in the pot of boiling water. The frog will make an effort to become free of it. Though it will be shocked and scalded but jump free of the boiling water. Take another frog and put it in a pot of water at room temperature. Keep the pot on fire. Slowly the frog will get used to higher and higher temperature till it goes into stupor and dies. Probably the society of this region is now getting into a state of stupor and partially it has already died physically and in conscious (to fight back). Terror strikes can be in any form; bomb blast, raping young girls, kidnapping school kids, holding the people for a ransom etc. Although an alert is sounded before the important occasions but still incidents happen. Notwithstanding the incidents on important occasions these happen otherwise also.
Probably society has to internalise this fear unless there is fundamental change in thought process of legislators and legislated. In a discussion on terror attacks (after Ahmedabad Blasts) in one of the “BIG FIGHT” programme on NDTV, Sh. ID Swamy and Mrs Marget Alva were the participants. Instead of addressing the issues the discussion was more on mudslinging. Each one was trying to bring out what the other party had not done when it was in power. How shameful it is! Planners and Decision makers are more concerned about vote bank ideology than the course of action for peaceful and fear free life of the people they claim to represent. There is a need to graduate from narrow party line thinking to broad based nationalistic thinking. In this region, too, there is dearth of iconic leaders like yesteryears who could LEAD but we have enough of these who can DEAL. The word Politician should be respelt Politi-Scion as they are adept at fragmenting the society for own gains.
There is a lack of connect between constitutionally elected representatives, enforcement machinery and the represented. Deficiency of mutual trust will never let enliven this connection. Can there be connect between the leaders and the led when there is disconnect in words, deeds and actions (WDA) of leaders? The need of the hour is iconic leaders like Gopinath Bordoloi who synergized WDA and enjoyed loyalty and support of masses. NN Vohra committee gave a detailed account of Symbiotic relationship between politicians, UG outfits and criminals etc. But this report was not made public. This symbiotic relationship has been well established and well reported in this region. With this approach, Can these dealers deal with the situation?
Every one knows the reason for the birth of anti foreigner movement and turmoil in Assam that led to birth of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). The outfit is known to have foreign links and operate at the behest of foreign agencies like ISI, HuJI etc. Ramification of illegal influx on demography and security of the region is not receiving political response it deserves. Though CM of Assam, Tarun Gogoi is saying, “There is no foreigner on the land of Assam”. But people and judiciary are proving him wrong. Gogoi is contradicting his own statement by saying, “remarks of Justice BK Sarmah( Bangladeshis staying illegally in the state have become king makers) are provocative and might encourage people to engage in unlawful activities against infiltrators in Assam”. Similarly Hiteshwar Saikia had to swallow his own words when he said;” there are about 30 lakhs Bangladeshi infiltrators in Assam”. Such situations are a fertile ground for Anti National Elements (ANEs) to make hay.
Once again there is a mass up rise in Assam against illegal migrants. Even the political vote bank (Muslims) is turning against the Government on the influx issue. Muslim Yuba Parishad of Assam has also lent their voice to this movement (sentinel 11 Aug 08). Can these leaders address the real issues? But they are very successful in diverting the public attention on non issues e.g. centre is being approached, new force is being raised, money has been asked for raising a new force etc. Clear aim is to keep the masses under dark because lie gets halfway around the world before truth has chance to get its knickers on. Strongest possible words (in dictionary), not backed by action, are used after any violent incident.
A few words for the legislated. There is need to make the law enforcing machinery more masculine and not emasculate that machine. There is need to develop reliable and secure intelligence net work backed by political WILL. Sharing the moorings with ANEs, state Police can very well develop a successful intelligence net work. But electronic media has to avoid playing spoilsport for TRP ratings. Every citizens (more so the youth) can play role of law enforcer by timely and positive reporting. Youth jail (run by positive thinking youth) in Phek district of Nagaland (Eastern Mirror datelined 02 Aug08) has resulted in bringing down the crime rate. There are number of cases where public has taken law in their own hands and punished the miscreants in the region.
Terror has resulted in bringing down the business and thus growth and prosperity of the region. Dimapur, a business hub in Nagaland, has seen decline of 30 to 40 % in business due to criminalization and terrorist activities (Eastern Mirror datelined 04 Aug 08). Similar is the case with other parts of the region. Interested investors desist investing here due to apprehensions of insecurity. The energies, people spend on Bandhs Strikes etc can be channelised in making this region terror free a possibility. There is a need to establish the WILL at legislator and legislated level because difference between the impossible and possible is man’s determination.


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

FUTURE BEING GAGGED

FUTURE BEING GAGGED
When a child is born it brings with it the hope that God is not yet annoyed with the man. It is often said that Child is the father of man, Child is the future planner, Child is the future leader of the society etc. Childhood is a state of freedom and playful life full of dreams (present & future). What can be expected form a child who has been exposed to the threat of AK rifles, 9mm Pistol, land mines etc.? Will such a child grow up as a free thinking citizen or a citizen with lack of free thought? Can the future of child or society be bright, where children have been forced to take up arms against threat to their lives? It is obvious that they will be killed/ maimed due to activities of other rebels or killed/apprehended by security forces. Will this result in a progressive or a gloomy society?
Internationally, recruitment and use of child soldiers is abhorred. Still there are 17 countries where child soldiers are being used mostly by rebel groups. There is an International convention on the child rights and protocol against recruitment and use child soldiers (i.e. below 18 years) which is applicable both to signatory states and rebel groups. States do adhere to the protocol but rebel groups because it suits them. Children are economic soldiers due to lesser personal needs, lesser needs
and lesser effort required to mould them due to physical and emotional immaturity.
North East (NE) region of our nation has been inflicted with insurgency (now terrorism) since India became independent of British yoke. Innumerable numbers of youth (who could be great teachers, great planners, great leaders and great reformers) have lost their lives till date. Still there seems to be no end to this fate. Abductions and kidnapping of children (both sexes) are increasing in the region. Some of these children are recycled in the terrorism affected states (Manipur, Nagaland and Assam) as child soldiers and balance trafficked to distant lands. Children who are recycled are forced to join UG outfits at gun point. Recent case of abductions in Manipur is a live example. United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has changed its strategy to recruit more from rural areas than urban because it found difficult to handle city lads. Number of missing children in Nagaland is also on the rise (Morung Express date lined 01 Aug 08).
In Manipur children had raised their voice against UG activities when teachers and schools were being targetted in the recent past. They demanded to make education a terror free zone,
letting them have freedom of study and natural childhood etc. Now the children are being targeted that has larger impliplications on social system. Effort is to rout out the seeds of progress in society. Probably the fear (of educated and enlightened minds that would not fall prey to misguidance) in the minds of UGs has forced them to resort to uncalled for acts against children. Although both factions of PREPAK (People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak) have denied the charge and claimed it was voluntary enrolment by young children. Recently kidnapped children were also paraded in front of the media to say that they came on their own choice (The Sangai Express date lined 20 Jul 08). Threat of life can force any child (even adults) speak the captor’s language. Some of the children have displayed courage to run away.
The innocent children are being used as cannon fodder on front lines to face opposing rebel groups, as couriers to carry explosives and plant bombs etc. Cruel leaders of these groups are unconcerned about safety of innocents. Two small boys were blown up in Tezpur while carrying explosives for ULFA. Besides ULFA is known to use these children for planting bombs for as little as Rs. 100/-. Besides acting as cadres, girls are being used for personal comforts or being married to rebel leaders. Some of the children are so small that length of the weapons is equal to their own height. One of the Burmese child soldier said, “My Gun is tall as me”. Some of the children are drugged to result in state of inculcate false bravado in them. One of the child soldiers of Ugandan army says, “they gave me pills that made me crazy’. When the craziness got in my head, I beat people on their heads and hurt them until they bled. When the craziness got out of my head I felt guilty. If I remembered the person I went to them and apologized. If they did not accept my apology, I felt bad”.
Some of the reactions will bring out implications for children, parents and society as a whole. Bipin Chandra (17) a class XII student stopped going to school after an attempted kidnap on him. One of the parents said,” we will not send our children to school till government ensures protection to them” ( Telegraph datelined 20 Jul 08). In one of the rallies in hill districts of Manipur rallyists said, “We heard of the money demands in the past and now we heard of demands for children from school. If this be the case we need to save our future” (Imphal Free Press datelined 01 Aug 08). These reactions reveal avoidable stress of uncertain future on every mind. Making the situation more compound two mothers of abducted kids were also detained by PREPAK (The Sangai Express dateline 22 Jul 08). Now the children of other regions also seem to have joined to request for peaceful life. One of placards carried by a child in Patna read,” Terrorist Uncle! We request you to stop shedding Innocent Blood”.
Not withstanding the other social reasons of some of the youth voluntarily joining cadres of the outfits. There is need for Hung Ho approach lest darkness awaits the innocent society of this region. There is a need to shun Politico–UG nexus, Politico-Criminal nexus in favour of Politico- people nexus. Women organizations like Meira Paibis, Assom Mahila Samitis and Naga Mothers Association need to fight this scourge whole heartedly. When they could stand up against the might of British and come out victorious they will definitely win against their own misguided kins.
Every leader and every regime and every moment and every civilization that steps across the line to terrorism must be banished from the disclosure of civilized life.
‘Alan Keyes’


Geoffery
(readers can reach out to the writer
via email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in or post views on jaey-geoffery.blogspot.com

LOOK EAST POSITIVELY

LOOK EAST POSITIVELY (LEP)

India embarked on the economic liberalization in nineties and today the country, with second highest growth rate, is envy of the world. India has proved that a developing country can be a major player in the regional economy and an equal partner in the globalized world. At the same time India also conceptualized the Look East Policy (LeP) with an aim to strengthen the age old civilisational linkages with our neighbours. These linkages are a strong basis of economic associations which is order of the day. India is a multicultural society with a broader outlook unlike mono cultural societies in the neighborhood. Therefore, Indian citizens irrespective of the religion can be leaders to other societies for a globalized community. But for this there is a need to fashion conditions that India meets the economic interests of the West agreeable to India. Developed countries have already started looking into their foreign policies for better economic ties with India. At the same time India needs a dedicated and committed look towards its strategic North East Region (NeR) for LeP to bring results.
LeP is ASEAN centric and its first Phase was launched in 1995. Now it is in Phase II with expanded definition of east to include from Australia to China and East Asia. India had entered into Mekong Ganga cooperation with five South East Asian nations (Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand) and other pillar of LeP is BIMSTEC (littoral states of Bay of Bengal Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmasr, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand). Strategically there is a need to diminish the Chinese influence in this region. In fact both India and China are considered two wings of ASEAN Jumbo Jet. Most of the countries are willing to have economic association with China due to its cheaper products that no country can match. India’s trade with China, other Asian countries and European Union has grown many folds. The largeness of this region can be gauzed from the fact that the proposed PAFTA (Pan ASEAN Free Trade Area) has gross income more than NAFTA (North America Free Trade Area) and European Union.
India’s Prowess as a future leader has already been predicted by a British historian EP Thompson who wrote, “India is perhaps the most important country for future of the world”. All the convergent influences of the world run through this society. There is not a single thought that is being thought in the West or East that is not active in some Indian mind”. This prophecy is true for the whole nation including unexplored NeR. This region has very high untapped human resource that is simple and innocently industrious which can be shaped to meet the new needs. There are large numbers of NRIs from this region who have carved a niche for themselves in international arena. With limited facilities some of sports persons of international fame, from this region, cannot be ignored.
Even in physical resources this region is richer and plans have been made to explore these but due to some or the other reason these are not seeing light of the day. Completion of rail link to Agartala after Dharmnagar is a silver lining in the region. There are plans to harness Hydro Electric Power (HeP) potential (50000MW) of this region and transmit this to power deficient regions of the country through power grid lines. Out of this huge potential, only 7% has been exploited till date. Surface, Air and Water communications are being improved. Major highways, NH 39 & NH 53 have been ordered to be four laned. Rail links are being improved- New Azra to Byrnihat (to connect Meghalaya to New Delhi), Dimapur to Kohima, Jiribam to Imphal, Kumarghat to Agartala, Trans Asian Railway to connect 28 nations to include China, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Iran and Turkey is planned. This will enter India at Moreh in Manipur. Air connectivity is planned to be improved in terms of improving existing air fields, creating new air fields, increasing the number of flights and paving way for new airlines to enter the market. The coming year 2009 may see launch of new north east airlines if reports are to gone by.
Mizoram can become a trade hub when trade starts through Sittwe Port in Myanmar which is to be linked through 160 km of Waterway (through Kaladan River) and 65 km of road link. Besides above there are other upbeat indicators. Four land custom Stations i.e. Moreh in Manipur, Dawki in Meghalaya, Sutrakandi in Assam and Agartala in Tripura have been planned. It is also being proposed to convert Nathula into a Land Custom Station. China has already planned to connect Nathula with Lhasa through a rail link in next three years. This will help boost Sino Indian trade.
This region of our country is floating on oil and other sources of energy like natural gas and coal that need to be explored. Meghalaya has huge deposits of Uranium to meet our nuclear energy needs. Not to mention the money spinner tourist attractions of the region. These are only a few of the areas but there are many that can be added either by innovating on existing resources or exploring the new ones.
It is not only the material resource that can be outsourced from our country but spiritual resource as well. One of the topmost historians Arnold Toyabee, remarked, “It is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a western beginning will have an Indian ending…. …Here we have the attitude and spirit that can make it possible for the human race to grow together into a single family…”
First step to identify potential of this region was formation of toothless North East Council in 1972. There after silver linings started becoming visible after the formation of DONeR by NDA government and up gradation of the same to a full fledged ministry by UPA government. But the region still lacks what it deserves to make strategic contribution to itself and the nation as a whole. There is a need to make a paradigm shift from intentions of rhetoric to attended actions.
There is a need to fire the ceasefire agreements with various outfits to make them lively and effective. There is a need to inculcate end to end commitment and accountability of resources and efforts towards various projects. There is a need to synergize the local thought towards explorationfor benefit of the people of this region. There is need for unified Gung Ho approach for vital leap of this region. Wish NeR receives the attention it deserves.
Geoffery
(Readers can reach out to the author via email:jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in
OR post views on blog: jaey-geoffery.blogspot.com

ARM TO DISARM

ARM TO DISARM


The decision of Manipur Govt acceding to the demand of arming locals of Heirok & Lilong Chaging (District Thoubal) after indiscriminate killings of innocents during Yaoshang ( Holi) festival ( 24 Mar 08) is welcomed by some and opposed by some. Each party has its own justification. The outcome of physical arming of people is yet to be seen. There had been number of security forces with different names & aims but this region (NE India) is still seeing no end to violence. This is where the problem lies. The number & type of security forces may be increased and they may operate for a number of years. But in the end solution lies in the change of mindset of the people and that is the job not for SFs or guns but social activists, media and leaders. Is arming a right step or will this lead to something like Salwa Judum in Chattisgarh?
Logic of the people demanding arms is: one; it will enhance physical courage of unarmed people, two; this may lead to bringing peace in the area, three; although three not three rifles are not as sophisticated as AK rifles of UGs but it will reinforce the WILL of the people to fight against negative forces. People who have lost their kins are ready to fight even with whatever as a vengeful attitude. Additional social benefit is constructive employment of some of the youth (as SPOs) temporarily now but can be made permanent later on if required. Opponents argue: one; arms may be misused, two; it may lead to kind of a civil war, three; more important is resentment by frontal organizations of the outfits against empowering people.
Village Defence Committees (VDCs) have been raised in J&K since 1989. Some of these members have been armed to be part of J & K volunteer force (JKVF) since 2003. Members of JKVF are being paid Rs 2500/- per month and members of VDCs are paid Rs 1500/- per month. Now it is not only the bastion of males but women are also part of the volunteer force. It may be argued that JKVF members are also targeted but overall it is a successful model. It has reversed the trend of migration due to fear of militants. Kudos for this go to commitment of volunteers, their training, monitoring, cohesion of this force with SF and Government WILL of empowering people against injustice. Some of the able bodied and keen young men out of these have been successfully recruited in J & K police force.
Another successful experiment in J&K is raising of Home and Hearth (H&H) battalions through constructive employment of ex UGs. Probably this is the reason that Tarun Gogoi, CM of Assam is mooting the idea of similar force (one thousand strong) out of eight thousand or so surrendered ULFA cadres. But the author is of the view that the recruitment for the said battalion should be a mix of ex UGs and regular youth without discrimination but merit based.

Other model is Salwa Judum in Chhatisgarh that has become controversial for reasons well known to the students of politics. In tribal Gondi dialect it means peace movement that started in June 2005 in district Bastar to tackle naxalism. It has backing of the state government. But, has it resulted in peace or in a fertile ground of deprivations to be exploited for vote banks? Supreme Court of India has expressed disapproval of constitution of this force. The apex court bench headed by Justice RG Balakrishna wondered, “How can the state give arms to some people. The state will be abetting in a crime if these people kill others”.

In one of the camps (Drona) people from 50 neighbouring villages are staying as part of voluntary militia in Chhatisgarh. Sawam Ayitu, 45, an activist says,” though we are free to move around, we still feel like we are in a prison. We can not go back because naxalites will kill us”. Social life has been very badly disrupted. Villagers are fearful of sending their children to school, taking up government jobs etc. People are not sure of when they would get back to their lands from these temporary camps. A seventeen old says,” Jab Tak ye yudh chalega tab tak yahi rehna hoga (we will have to camp here till the war lasts)”. Can a better future be expected of such a movement that has created more fears and insecurities than feeling of freedom?

Out of the two models discussed above J&K model has proved successful. The reasons are not very far to seek. These are; right selection, training for disciplined use of fire arms, monitoring the activities/ progress, guidance, commitment of locals and WILL of the state government for implementation unlike in Chhatisgarh. Manipur is choosing the J&K model that is why a team had been sent to study the model. But the template needs to be realistically tailored to local conditions that may not be truly the same.

There is a need to change the mindset from vertical (straight jacket) thinking to lateral (innovative, creative, generative) thinking with insight of the problem. Napoleon had said, “Mind is to physical as three is to one”. Number and type of forces are immaterial and physical arming is no solution without psychological arming with fortified WILL. The will of the people has been firmly displayed at number of occasions (in Assam and Nagaland) when unarmed public has chased out the armed cadres for the sake of peace in the area. Physical arming is one step short of arming with strong WILL to rout out the militancy. But like water it has to flow from top (leaders) down to the masses (led). Once armed with the ultimate weapon, the doors to explore the hidden potential of progress in this region will open.


“Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open.” Sir James Dewey



Geoffery
(Readers are can reach out to the author via email: jaey_geoffery
OR post views on blog: jaey-geoffery.blogspot.com)

INCREDIBLE NORTH EAST INDIA

INCREDIBLE NORTHEAST (NE) INDIA


“If India was the Jewel in the Crown of the British Empire, the remote NE of the Country is Hidden Jewel” said, Tony Howard, a prominent advisor to the British Empire. Anyone who comes to this part of the country will be forced to say that the quote by Tony Howard is perfect to the reality. NE India is the land of Blue Mountains, Green Valleys and Red River. Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, this region is abundant in Natural Beauty, Wild life, Flora & Fauna, its simple, loving, straightforward and colorful people. A blend of all this makes it the most beautiful Eco Tourism, Geo Tourism and Adventure Tourism destination in South Asia. The tribal people who still retain their pristine touch offer unmatched hospitality. This is further strengthened by bed & breakfast scheme of the government. After reaching this Forgotten Frontier one is compelled to say “This little corner is a paradise on Earth where Mother Nature has bestowed her bounty extra generously that needs sincere exploration and adoration”.
Unexplored and untouched, this land promises to be great tourist discovery of 21st century. This region of India comprising of seven sisters constituting 9% land mass but 4% of population of the country. The theme Incredible India and Rural Tourism in NE India are emphasized to market tourism in India. Recently union secretary, Tourism Mr S Benerjee said the basic objective of rural tourism was to showcase the way of life in the villages. He promised that, a pilot project would also be launched to encourage rural tourism in this region. Government is convinced of the value of the tourist potential in NE and during the 10th plan Rs 319 Crores has been allocated for the infrastructure in the tourism sector of this region i.e almost double of that allotted in 2007-08. This region with inherent natural advantages can contribute towards a 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 specialized even in the remote parts of the country. This can largely engage youth in productive employment. It is a growth engine which can chug and cause progress, prosperity and development. But for this engine to chug a tourist needs to be given value for his money and safer destination.
For one foreign tourist, there are approx 100 domestic tourists in India. To encash this potential and ensure value for money of a tourist, inputs are being factored in this region i.e. (rail link up to Kohima, conversion of MG to BG) four lane high ways, cheaper air fare, more airlines in the fray, announcement of LTC facilities to all central government employees for NE region, and tremendous increase in allotment of funds by centre, less restriction on Inner Line permit (ILP) in this part of the country, establishment of three Institutes of Hotel Management in Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and one Food Craft Institute in Assam in 2007. The region has tremendous potential in hospitality industry. Of late there had been an increase in showcasing of festivities of this region in Delhi. Various states have also been organizing ethnic food festivals. Recently concluded plenary session of NEC has decided to launch dedicated airline for this region with 90% expenditure by the centre & 10% by Air Port Authority.
Now other part is the safer destination for a tourist. Everyone knows the negative effect on tourism of 9/11 attack on WTC in 2001. Similarly recent violence and bomb blast, killings of innocent railways laborers in South Assam, Killings of 15 Non locals on 17/18 Mar in Imphal East and Thoubal will have its impact. After some months of calm the ugly head of fratricidal killings have appeared once again in quick succession in Nagaland. In a span of one and half month i.e April till 17 May 08, approx 30 lives have been lost in the state as per government records. This is not just a figment of imagination but a bitter truth. Our streets and highways look like battlefield with Army, Paramilitary Forces, IRB and Police in full combat uniforms and armed to the teeth patrolling round the clock. The various vehicles are being taxed by the outfits at gunpoint and frisked by the security agencies inculcating both a sense of insecurity and loss of privacy. So, do we think a tourist whose mind is preoccupied with the news of bomb blast, fratricidal killing, killings of Hindi speaking people collection of taxes from tourist operators and staccato of rifle shots on highways would like to come and have a safer and relaxed holidays ? Do we think that mere allotment of funds and false assurance by State Govt. will give us the opportunity to reap the rich dividends of this growth oriented (Rural Tourism) sector, how so ever rosy a plan may be. Do we 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. Recently in West Bengal, an underground outfit has promised its assurance for safety of tourists visiting Darjeeling. Will the visitor feel more safe in the hands of an outfit or state authorities? We need to live not only for ourselves but leave a developed and progressive social heritage for our future generation too. Therefore, let the growth be in the region for a developed, productive, constructively engaged and peaceful society. Let the feeling of insecurity be removed from the minds of tourists who are willing to visit this forgotten frontier. Let the visitors spread the message of beauty and bonhomie of this region.

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

DEMOCRATIC BASICS WILL RESCUE

DEMOCRATIC BASICS WILL RESCUE
The author had seen an advertisement of Levis Jeans with a jingle: Basics will Always Survive. After a deep thought he arrived at a solution that it is applicable in all fields. Here an effort has been made how basics of democracy can rescue North East (NE) Region of India. India is the largest democracy. Pro people approach of democracy is inherent in this definition; of the people, by the people and for the people. This means deliverance of good governance (GG), optimal & necessitated development on unbiased necessity basis, equality of rights & opportunities etc. Our constitution enshrines all the clauses for a democracy to be pro people. Kautilya, a scholar on statecraft has also postulated that state activities should benefit its subjects (prajanam anugrehana).
India has 4635 communities, 325 languages, belonging to 121 languages, 24 scripts, 17 official languages, the birth place for four religions and rich home for others, 21 traditions of classical dance and 300 ways of cooking potato. It is an embodiment of Unity in Diversity both because of provisions in our constitution and also development of stay together culture over a period of time. NE region is more uniquely diverse than the rest of our country. After six decades of independence, is democracy permitted to retain the basic of being pro people or been modified to be pro voters?
It all started in the first decade of independence. Shri C Raja Gopalachari, first Indian and second Governor General of India had predicted that we shall see the power & tyranny of wealth. In 1957 Tisco wanted to change their Memorandum of Association to allow company to make contribution to Political Parties. Bombay High Court allowed with weighing obiter dictum, “------- we think it our duty to draw the attention of parliament to the great danger inherent in permitting companies to make contribution to the funds of political parties. It is a danger which may grow apace and which may ultimately overwhelm in and even throw the democracy in the country”. As the law (section 77 of representation of people’s act) stands at present, a political party may receive any amount by way of contribution under the companies act. Money exchanges that take place during elections are an open secret. In this region there is no much industry but money still flows. Probably it is through nexus with proscribed outfits or through arms smuggling. Recent case of Mr Sahid Chowdhry, food and supply minister of Tripura having links with Bangladeshi arms dealer may be a micro tip of the iceberg ( Morung Express date lined 12 Apr 08).
Problem of illegal migrants and repercussions on this region are well known. Designs of perpetrators for this migration need no emphasis. This problem is continuing & all efforts are being made to detour the issue because these are indispensable vote banks. It will not be wrong to quote excerpts from the book “North East India” by ‘Dr HK Barpujari’. One of the Congress Presidents, Dev Kanta Barua, said “so long as Alis (Muslims) and coolies (tea garden laborers) are with the party, the congress party did not care for any body”. Similarly when Hiteshwar Saikia the CM made a statement in Assam assembly that in a single year thirty lacs Bangladesh infiltrators entered Assam, Leaders of the Muslim forum threatened that unless the CM withdraws his statement, the forum will pull him down in five minutes. The Assam CM retreated and said, “There is not a single foreigner in Assam (The Sentinel 06 Aug 1994).
Promulgation of controversial IM (DT) Illegal Migration (determination tribunal) Act in 1985 and its repeal in 2005 is a testimony of the hidden agenda. There are only two deportation centers in the region; Manisasan in Karimganj and Mancachar in Dhubri district, each, manned by one ASI & three constables. These centres are responsible for deportation of Bangladeshis detected in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya & Mizoram. Is it possible? Records also prove that all the deported personnel have come back.
Another issue that had rocked the assemblies in the states and sounds were also heard in Delhi is delimitation process as per delimitation act 2002. It was to readjust the assembly constituencies based on the 2001 census. But vested interests opposed it tooth and nail and wasted lot of useful assembly time which could have been put to better use. Honorable speaker Somnath Chatterjee during his speech “Parliamentary Democracy and Some Challenges” had said, “During last three years, 14 th Lok Sabha has lost 26% of its time due to disruptions and every minute costs Rs. 26000\- to the exchequer”. Wish the spirit of Jawahar Lal Nehru permeates in today’s leadership. He said, “Call me first servant of India instead of first prime minister of India”. Kautiya also talks of trivarga in statecraft i.e. Dharma (virtuous duties towards the public) artha (means to generate state income i.e. development) and kama (luxury). Out of these kama had been rated the most unimportant but it is the opposite today.
NE India has typically classless but a tribal society. Inter tribal fissures are getting deeper over issues of more reservations, better social status and also due to vested interests. Adivasis of Assam were recommended to be included in ST list by Aman Rai Pradhani Panel but denied the same in 1996. There are five more communities demanding the similar status. Collectively these communities cater for fate for the fate of 28 constituencies out of 126 in Assam. Readers need to draw their conclusions.
With unabated illegal influx from across the border the day is not far when religious divide will also infect this region like rest of the country. Basics of all religions being the same then why disturb the social harmony.
There is a vital need to get to the basics of democratic concepts to preserve secular approach to democracy that is pro people and not pro voters. This is only route for violence free, vibrant and progressive NE India.

Geoffery
(Readers can reach out to the writer via email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in
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READ THE WALL

READ THE WALL
In North Eastern (NE) region of India; three states that remain in news more for the wrongs than the rights are; Assam, Nagaland & Manipur. Statistics may tell a different story of either rise or fall in the violent incidents vis a vis the corresponding period last year. Lately the apprehension of masses in these states and remarks of the CM of Assam are something to the noted and reckoned. People seem to have lost their fortitude & forbearance of UG activities.
Assam CM, Tarun Gogoi while inviting banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) said, “People don’t want an independent Assam (as demanded by ULFA) and gradually the group is losing its popularity and importance”. APW (Assam People Work an organization of kith and kin of ULFA cadres) had also carried out a similar survey and concluded that people did not want sovereignty. Reacting to this ULFA had carried out a carnage in Tinsukia since violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. It is amazing that PCG (Peace Consultative Group) member, a noted writer, Ms Mamoni Raisom Goswami still advocates sovereignty demand of the outfit. This depicts nothing but disconnect of the personality with realities.
In Nagaland on 11 Apr 08 villagers of Ketsapo under Phek district chased away the cadres of NNC (Naga National Council (accordist) to rescue the Village Council Chairman & secretary of Village Development Board from abduction. Villagers braved only with traditional weapons (daos and spears) against the sophisticated AK rifles of miscreants. Even the firing of rifle shots by the activists did not frighten the chasers. Against the rise of disturbances caused by inter factional clashes, extortions, highway robberies, rape, district administration of Phek, backed by SFs, NGOs and local public have adopted a Zero Tolerance resolution against any faction out to disturb peace in the district. Well done? District administration deserves kudos for a step which is its bounden duty. Reactions of people against the rape of three young women and looting of passengers at Chakabama from a Melluri bound bus is another incident. Residents of Dimapur have given a strong message to militants for increased violence of late.
In Manipur (most disturbed state) cries of people against the killing of two anal women at Herirok (Thoubal), rape and murder of Santibala ( a widow) are not over when there is a revolt against the killing of a 55 year old man of Lalong Chajing Loukon under Police Station Sangjamei. The man was killed (24 Apr 08) in front of his own son despite the pleadings by the young boy. One of the women demonstrators said, “It was an act of very cruel people killing the man in front of his own son. Apart from this he was a man living from hand to mouth “. It is generally seen that the UGs blame on the deceased person to safeguard themselves. Secretary of Joint Action Committee (JAC) L, Meipak said, “We will not agree with any fault assigned to the deceased as it has become a habit in our society” (Imphal Free Press 25 Apr 08).
Similarly, SDSA (Senapati District student Association i.e. Maram student’s union, Mao students union, Poumei student union, Zeliangrong student union and Thangal student union) has called for an appropriate action against thrashing (on 23 Apr 08) of three prominent citizens (who are also members of management committee of Rosary School) by UG activists. They also said “Schools wherever they are located is a place of education and threats of any kind by any organisation especially in the form of financial demands is nothing less than asking the institution to close down (Sangai Express 25 Apr 08). Council members of local bodies have submitted resignation to CM protesting against the demands of UGs (Manipur Mail datelined 29 Apr 08). Abheisham Pishak (41) has been lynched by locals in Imphal for raping an eleven year old girl.
These are some of the incidents fresh in our minds. There had been very many in the past where in UGs had targeted financial institutions like banks, educational institutions and health sector causing uncalled for difficulties to the public.
From the foregoing one can make out that UGs have no concern either for the old or the young, the mothers, sisters or daughters, health and development of the social system but making easy money. Probably the effect of water drying up (public support) in the pond (society) is being felt by the fish (UGs) as well. Recently on its foundation day KYKL Chairman, Taijam Achou reflectively said, “ The attitude of the revolution of the UG groups are also degenerating and today they have taken to money making through government contract work, kidnapping for ransom or else demanding cuts from public and private funds”. He also said, “To make easy money one of the methods is for a few people to get together, buy a few arms and form an underground group and then being an extortion business”. This is true for all outfits. Chairman of NSCN (IM) Isak Swu has also conceded to adoption of Zero Tolerance against rampant indiscipline of the cadres. Noted parliamentarian PA Sangma was not wrong. When he said, “Insurgency has become a cottage industry in North East India”.
Now is the time for every one to read the writing on the wall. Leaders and Bureaucrats have to assume visible accountability for good governance. People have to continue the stand against violence to trade for much eluded peace. Why physically able militants can not learn from socially disabled Pradeep (37) who (detected HIV positive in 2000) became was crowned Mr Manipur in Jan 2008. He said, “I want to show how much an HIV positive person can do? UGs need to listen to the voice of the people and join the main stream for safer, better and progressive life for themselves as well as for the society they claim to represent and fight for. Otherwise the sharp edge enjoyed by them (UGs of wielding sophisticated weapons) over hapless citizens will be blunted by the Active WILL of the PEOPLE.

“Without civic morality communities perish and without personal morality their survival has no value” ‘Bertrand Russel’


Geoffery
(Readers can reach out to writer via email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in
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RESPECT THE RESPECTABLE

RESPECT THE RESPECTABLE

These days there is so much heard about Women rights, Women liberation and Women empowerment. In fact women empowerment started with the culture of haute couture in 1920s in Europe. It was restricted only to the elite class. Now the world has realized social benefits of women empowerment and it is like a movement. India has also come a long way from olden times when it believed the maxim spelt out in the scripture; Manusmriti, that said,” A woman must invariably act on the advice of her father, husband and if widowed her son”. After independence Indian society was still infected with various social evils like; child marriage, ban on widow remarriage, purdah system etc. It stood true to the words of Tulsidas that said,” Dhol, Ganwar, Shudra, Pashu and Naari- Ye sab tadan ke adhikari” (when translated it means Drum, Ruffian, Shudra, Animal and Women only deserve beating). Women of North Eastern (NE) India have visible image of being liberal without discrimination, forward looking, no purdah, no ban on widow remarriage etc. But of late this image is being belied by the increase of violence against women in this part of the country.

There is a need to realize that a woman is a versatile person; a mother, a friend and a companion. One can say; she creates, preserves and prolongs human life. Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78) of India made a specific contribution towards development of women i.e. a shift from only welfare. 73rd constitutional amendment (1993) has provisions for reservation of seats for women so that they are part of decision making from grass root level. National commission of women has made policies that also lays down ways & means for empowerment of women in social, political and economic life. It also says elimination of all discrimination and all forms of violence against women and the girl child. But the reality is a bit different.
Of late the image of women in NE region of our nation has been smeared with blood and obscenity. As per police records; in the entire state of Assam, from 2001 to 2006 a total of 5990 women were kidnapped, 5263 were murdered and 785 were tortured by their husbands. Three young women passengers were raped and Melluri bound bus looted near Chakabama (Nagaland) by armed miscreants on 26 Mar 08. Tribal families (67) of Tripura were inhumanly tortured by insurgents of National Liberation Front of Tripura.
Recent killings (24 Mar 08) of women in Heirok (Chandel district of Manipur) and injuring of a young girl Rebki (17) during Thabal Chongba celebrations) had been very heartbreaking. She, who had been a bright student, has darkness for her life. She says, “Will I be ever able to see again”. Her parents have run out of finances for treatment. During a Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting after these killings general secretary Laishram Mandir said, “Are the revolutionary groups of Manipur for the people or to eliminate innocent civilians”. People have decided to take a tough stand against such activities. During one of the JAC meeting it was decided that Meira Paibis will keep vigil in and around Heirok through out the night and members of the local clubs will extend their cooperation to them.
Another hair raising incident was gang rape and killing of a widow at Tekcham Luishiput in Thoubal district of Manipur. Have the miscreants thought of the young children of the late widow, Laisgram Ongbi Santibala? Committers and perpetrators of such offences should be shameful.
Flip side of the coin is that these are the same women who had been sheltering the UGs due to familial bonding. Recently a woman named Oinam Mainu, a Zila Parishad member of Thoubal (Manipur) has been detained, under NSA, for harbouring killers of migrant workers (on 17/18 Mar 08). She has also been known to siphon percentage of development funds to militant outfits including NSCN (IM) (Imphal Free Press datelined 10 Apr 08).
There is a need to remember the role these women have played in the history of this region. Do not forget the grass root economic role played by these women in the Tea Industry and other businesses. Do not forget the activism of Assamese Pradesh Mahila Samitis during freedom struggle. Recently these women have given the lead and inspiration to standup against impossible demands of ultras in Assam valley. Do not forget the role, Manipuri women played against the Britishers (1904) to safe guard the honour of their men and against dishonest Businessmen (1939) to save the Manipuri Society from hunger. Do not forget the role Meira Paibis have played to safe guard their men from falling prey to liquor and thus giving a new impetus to family life. Do not forget the pragmatic positive role these women play in caring the child from prenatal to postnatal state.
The women seem to have broken the traditional ‘culture of silence’ against violence. It will not be wrong to quote powerful words of RK Dhanbati Devi, President of Lamlong Keithel Fambi Apunba Lup. After the bomb blast in Khurai Lamlang Bazar (Imphal) in Nov 07 she said,” it is true that there was a time when Meira Paibis and militants worked in tandem. But at that time we thought that militant’s demands were justified and we supported them, but now we realize our mistake. These militants have turned their guns towards us. There is no question of supporting or aligning ourselves with them. They (militants) are our enemies and they should be finished”.
Miscreants are not sparing any section of the society. The same is obvious in numerous resentment rallies, against UG activities, by the populace. There is a need to treat women as equal partners and not a weaker sex. There is need to respect the natural biology of the fairer sex. There is need to develop respect for our creator. Now is time to finish the thought of militancy and not the militants who are also the sons, brothers, husbands and fathers. All women need to be supported in every possible way to create a society, where no women is disrespected, no mother loses her son, no sister loses her brother, no wife loses her husband, no parent loses old age support, no child loses the father and society does not lose the constructive strength of the youth due to avoidable violence. Always Remember!

“Woman was taken out of man; not out of his head to top him, not out of his feet to be trampled underfoot, but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, near his heart to be loved.”
Geoffery
(Readers can reach out to the writer via email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in Or post views on blog: jaey-geoffery.blogspot.com)

X FACTOR MISSING

‘X’ FACTOR MISSING


It is the multiplication factor that catalyses the effect of the efforts. North East region of our country is more diverse than the rest of nation. It is inhabited by almost 200 tribes out of the total 430 (approx) tribes in India. Each tribe has its own language, culture and identity. Historically speaking each hamlet was a nation by itself. Things are changing from individualization to globalization. But the reality in this region is a little different. This region is resource rich in terms of Oil, Coal, Hydro Power resources and Tourist potential etc. And now this region has been proved to have potential of being the biggest producer of rubber (Liquid Gold) in the world. The productivity of rubber has gone up from 335 kgs to 1879 kgs per acre (largest in the world) in Tripura. This region has the capacity to be feeder to rest of the nation and be exporter to neighboring nations).
Whatever has been said is alright? But what is hindering the dormant potential of this region? The only thing that comes to mind is lack of honesty and integrity towards this region by all alike. Every one (centre, state, people and militant groups) has to share the blame & look inwards rather than outwards and backwards. Author has made an effort to analyze the role of various actors for under development & insurgency in the region.
The centre had lopsided approach towards this region since independence. Initially hazards of India’s partition are understandable (not pardonable) and this region had also played its role in nation’s freedom struggle. But what did go wrong thereafter? And then the three wars (1962, 1965 and 1971) with our neighbors followed. But still, the mainland lacked understanding of this part of country’s geography. Sadly, sincere efforts had never been made barring the latest efforts in the garb of Look East Policy (LeP).
Indians economic policies had not been based on fiscal prudence but politics. Initially it was Garibi Hatao (Congress) followed by Mandalization (Janata Dal) with an intervening period of emergency (1975). All this led to pledging of our country’s gold to save the country out of financial crisis. Then comes the liberalization of policies, the results of which are being felt now. Despite all the problems, India is riding an enviable growth curve. Imagine if the ‘X’ factor was incorporated and benefits disseminated in right proportions; probably this region would have been saved of devouring by the monster of insurgency (now read criminalization). Wish! It was done.
Our leaders (central & regional) are known to divide the society on religion, race, caste etc. No wonder! Cries to earn ST status and lobbying to deny the same status to other tribes are heard in this region also (unheard of earlier). Thanks to our leaders for this. Wish there was honesty of approach to face the voters like Obama in US. During the election campaign his pastor made an incendiary racial remark to his dislike and also the electorate. Obama rightfully checked the wrong doer in time and faced the electorate more endearingly. How many of our leaders are of such uprightness. Here effort is to avoid the issues concerning masses to retain Mr Clean image (but not able to). Thinking power of the masses is under estimated. Recent case of Advani’s denial in Kandhar case and distancing away from long time associate Jaswant Singh.
It is a well known fact that genesis of Assam agitation lies in deportation of illegal migrants. This resulted in Nellie carnage (1983). But state assembly elections were forced through despite protests and advice against the same. Still the illegal migration is going on unchecked due to political and not national interests. Now there is a collusion of militant leaders also for this migration for safe sanctuaries in Bangladesh. Probably they want to make the words of Sheikh Mujubur Rehman come true, who said, “India has to provide space for the growing population of Bangladesh”.
Our leaders (all alike) indulge more in lip service and marketing their reforms that do not match the realities people face. Latest example is huge package of loan waiver for farmers. Probably the same amount spent four years earlier would have saved farmer suicides, added more to India’s GDP and improved the image of ruling party rather than destroy the same. Everyone is aware that for last 18 years (1991 to date) various governments (Congress, NDA & now UPA) have tried to let the reforms campaign reach the voters but failed. They would have succeeded, if reforms were backed by honest action.
The latest budget has a very forward looking aspect of skill development in partnership with industry. The government is adopting the Philippines model, where industry will be paid the expenses for developing training curriculum for the youth. There is another model adopted by Germany, Brazil etc., where most of the youth join the industry for learning skills after high school. If industry is unable; then it pays some levy to the Government. No wonder, Germany is so progressive where corporate has sincerity for the society. Wish there is some planning to inculcate skill of Honesty and Integrity amongst leaders and the led.
Media reports are replete with details of scams by leaders and the led alike. Can the field flourish, when it is devoured by its own fence? CM of Sikkim is blemished in multi crore property scam. A doctor is caught selling free medicines and a BDO accepts swindling of funds (The Sentinel datelined 12 Mar 08) .Recent CAG report has pulled up the Assam government for using 75% of Non Plan Revenue Expenditure on aspects like salaries, pension payments etc. Similarly Manipur Government has been blamed for not been able to monitor works under Non Lapsable Pool of Central Resources and that too education (The Sangai Express datelined 29 Mar 08).
Most needed and delicate aspects of health, education, power and development are targeted. In Manipur teachers have been caught selling books meant for poor students under much needed Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Imagine who has done this; outlaws i.e. KYKL under operation new Kangleipak(ONK). Well done! Wish it was done by the authorities. A multi crore scam (involving every one in the chain) has been unearthed in Power department of Manipur. Militant organizations claiming to fight for deprived society are depriving their own people. The recent (30 Mar08) torching of BRTF trucks by militants in Thoubal district (Manipur) is fresh in the minds. Remember! This is the only organization that is bringing development in remote border areas. Imagine if this also does not happen.
The time has come to introspect at all levels and answer: Does the society want X factor to be added to our values and approach in life? If Yes! Then act. If No! Then don’t cry.

“The Universe is not rich enough to buy the vote of an
Honest man” ‘Gregory’


Geoffery
(readers are reach out to the writer via email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in or post views on jaey-geoffery.blogspot.com