NEW ROBINHOOD

NEW ROBIN HOOD

Robin Hood is a person who robs Peter (Rich) to help Paul (poor). In today’s jargon one can say that any person or any organisation that promises a solution to social evils assumes this philanthropic image. So is the case of present National Socialist Council of Nagaland (unified) i.e. NSCN (U). Society had been fed up with ongoing fratricidal killings and its collateral damage to the social system of beautiful Nagaland. This has been echoed time and again in the form of public uproar, initiative by Church, GB and DB association and NGOs in the past.

23 Nov 07 will become a historic day, if the new organisation achieves its aim of calling NO to fratricidal killings and other types of violence in the society. Despite all the existing violence the state has made noticeable progress in various fields in the last decade. Imagine the quantum of development that would have been if there was total peace, a forerunner to lasting progress and development. The new organisation needs a composed analysis regarding reasons of its birth and its future.

Reasons of its birth are not very far to seek. NSCN was formed in 1980 after their differences with Naga National Council (NNC) and Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) over implementation of Shillong Accord. NSCN was further split into NSCN (Isak Muviah (IM) and NSCN (Khaplang (K) in 1988. Both factions have been belligerent since then. Before we arrive at the reasons it would be in order to glance through demographic statistics of both the groups. NSCN (IM) has almost 1/3rd Tangkhuls, 1/3rd Semas and balance rest of the tribes. Similarly NSCN (K) has 1/3rd Konyaks, 1/3rd Semas and balance rest of the tribes. Present unification has been engineered by Western Sumi HoHo (WSH) and all defected Sumi cadres have formed a new group. They are led by the defected leaders like Azeto Chophy, Kilo Kilosner of NSCN (IM) and younger brother of Isak Swu President NSCN (IM) among others.

It is learnt that Sumi unification was initiated by Isak Swu in Aug 2007 when he appealed to the Sumis to unify and pave way for unification of all Nagas. The same has fructified now. Efforts of unification had also been made earlier in 1999, 2004 and 2006 but failed due to some vested interests.

It is also learnt that power is held in the hands of one tribe in NSCN (IM) vis a vis NSCN (K). Probably the present unification is the result of certain factors of immediate past. High handed attitude of NSCN (IM) against certain tribes in Dimapur. That led to Wungram Colony inferno in Apr 2007. Certain tribes in Juluki Jangdi village & Intagaki RF have been denied their rights unilaterally. Fear and tension that prevailed amongst people of Zunheboto as a result of large number of inter factional clashes in the area. Incidentally this was declared a peace zone and neutral zone during previous peace talks that failed.

Now the present and futuristic status of the new set up. It has been supported by Semas, Changs, Ao, Konyaks i.e. approx 33% of total population of Nagaland. Besides this the move has also been supported by Ex Government of Nagaland (GoN), apex public organization Naga HoHo, GBs, & DBs and various other NGOs. It has also been criticized by the certain tribes Angamis, Pochury, Teniyimi, Yimchnnyer in NSCN (IM) dominated areas i.e. approximately 12 % of total population of Nagaland. It has also been criticized by Naga International Support Centre (NISC) based in Netherlands and Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)
based at Hague. In fact it does not affect these two organizations because they are enjoying lives sitting abroad and this move will affect flow of funds for their survival. Notwithstanding the present support base, if we divide the balance population (approx 55%) on 50-50 basis in support and against of either group. The NSCN (U) will have support of almost 60% and more population vis a vis the other group. This conveys the mass sentiment.

There are certain fears due to statements issued by K leaders and emergency imposed by Isak Swu in view of public opposition and president rule in the state. Brig Niki Sumi of K group had said,” It would be obligatory
on our part to use any means available at our disposal to counter act subversive factors trying to break our patience—“. On 13 Jan while imposing emergency Isak Swu had said,” it is to check unwanted situation and external divisive force which is interfering in the internal affairs of Naga people and thereby creating law and order problem, forcing threat to sovereign rights of Nagas”. Both these statements have violent threats hidden in them.

Besides the support from K group there are news of the new organization acquiring arms and ammunition. It has already started delineating areas for its tax collection. This may lead to clash of interests with other armed organisation and ultimately a third armed organisation may come up leading to and more blood shed. Presently leader ship issue has been left open to SS Konyak and Isk Swu. May be latter will assume leadership due to the reasons. One, his own younger brother, a senior ranking cadre of deserted outfit, is in the new outfit. Two the process had been his brain child. Three, there are reports of in fight in the senior leadership of NSCN (IM).

The peace process must reach its culmination because it is no longer good to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace and live in peace. It will save children being orphaned. It will save parents the agony of losing their child. It will save avoidable loss to public property. It will create favorable environment for tourism industry. It will pave way to the benefits of economic boom for the state. Then and only then we can live a life of prosperity, tranquility and strength and leave behind a legacy of progress for our generations to come. It will not be wrong to quote a biblical saying. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” Ephesian 1:18.

J.Geoffery
(Readers can reach out to the writer
via email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in)

RESURGENT INDIA OR INSURGENT INDIA

RESURGENT INDIA OR INSURGENT INDIA

Out of 29 states in India almost 19 states are affected by violence (12 states by Maoists in Central, Eastern and Southern India plus 7 states of North East India). In some of the NE states of India there exists an uneasy calm. Then can we say it is Resurgent India and not Insurgent India? In the recently concluded chief Ministers conf on security (preceded by major jail break at Dantewada, Jharkhand) our Honorable Prime Minister had expressed legitimate concern over Maoist threat in the country. He said, “We must rout out this menace with synergy of all resources at our command. He further directed to raise a new force and promised all help by the centre”. Similarly CMs of Assam and Manipur had also proposed to raise a similar force to fight insurgency in respective states. Will the raising of physical force be able to mitigate the scourge in mind?

We have been fighting insurgency (now terrorism) for past six decades in North East India. Have we been able to defeat the threat? Answer is No! In some of the states like Mizoram and Tripura there is normalcy with an uneasy calm. Number of times one hears surrendered militants lashing out threats since they have not been meted out their dues. Physical force cannot eradicate but contain the menace. Our statistical figures are good to alleviate our mood of positivism, that there is decline of violence from the last year e.g. Maoist related violent incidents have gone down from 1509 in 2006 to 1285 in 2007 till 31 Oct 07. There are similar statistics for NE states. These figures have been arrived at a cost of losing lives (SFs, Civilians and Militants alike) loss of public property etc. Can we afford to let it happen like this till it dies its own death? Probably not, keeping in mind the strides of progress India is taking; more so Big Five are revisiting their foreign policies towards India due to economic interests.

Napoleon said,” Mind is to physical as three is to one”. There is need to change the thought process of the Elected Leaders, Populace and the Militants. India is a democracy where basic spirit of social justice is enshrined in our constitution. Article 14 - talks of right of equality; Article 15- talks of right against discrimination and Article 16 – talks of right of employment. Are our elected leaders able to ensure the basics? What can we expect? When our leaders have dubious past records? When our leaders maintain their own private forces to settle score with their opponents? When our leaders encourage some of the Under Ground Groups for political ends? When our leaders are all out to divide the society ( on religious, creed, caste, tribal basis) for political gains e.g. tribal leaders of Jharkhand rushed to Assam to win over the estranged tribals during Beltola mayhem (24 Nov 07)? When our leaders have lost their trust with the populace? They have to shout from rooftops for people to hear their false promises because their actions do not speak. There is no congruity between their thoughts, words and deeds. Recently CM of Manipur made a remark that accused of Pourabi, Imphal blast will not be spared. How many such statements are made by various leaders and to what result? Probably to tide over the current crisis till another crisis. One can make out the hollowness of these statements when cases pertaining to assassinations of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Parliament attack took so much time for investigation and action.

Society is being driven back to Tribalism. Where in people are interested in exclusivity i.e. Exclusive benefits, exclusive developments, exclusive rights not duties without accommodation for others. In this age of interdependence and intercommunication there is need of an Inclusive society that has room to accommodate and synergize. Every leader is out to draw benefits from the deprivations of a particular section of society instead of addressing them. The nuisance to be branded as scheduled tribe has also affected the innocent society of North East India.

Third wing of our democracy (Judiciary) meant to review the laws made by legislatures in the interest of public is kept in a dilemma. All out efforts are made to subjugate this important wing of our society. In last sixty years our constitution has been amended almost 100 times. Most of the amendments are aimed against activism of judiciary. USA is another democracy with 150 year old constitution but it had been only about a dozen amendments till date. 73rd constitutional amendment relates to basic democracy and Panchayati Raj where every citizen is connected to main stream democracy. During recent Panchayat Polls in Assam supporters of AUDF and Congress clashed with each other in Moirabari and South Assam. Can this happen without tacit support of the leaders? What message our leaders want to give to grass root democracy? Two parties of national stature have openly colluded with DHD groups of Assam i.e. DHD(N) & DHD(J) with resultant spurt in violence.

Now is the populace and militants. Latter are a very small part of populace with major influence on the society. They fall prey to vested interests (both inner and outside powers) due to some disaffection with the administration. Personal example of leaders will speak louder than their loudest voice. Silence of their actions will be heard much louder than their speeches. I agree that we can not find a solution to a problem at the same level at which it started. In the nascent stage this problem could be addressed as law and order problem with firm and selfless political will. Now is the time for twin strategy at physical and psychological plane.

Advertisement campaign of TATA tea conveys ample message that there is a need for qualification for political leaders other than money power and muscle power. Let our leaders become role models or idols like our father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi and similar others. Leaders need to shun parochialism and think leader like with all pervasive wellbeing in mind. They need to stop usage of famous Vidur Neeti of Sam (benevolence), Daam( monetary gifts), Bheda ( divisive role) and Danda( punishment) for propagating party/ self interests but State interests.

Once populace is convinced in their mind of unbiased social justice they would brave all odds to fight the inimical elements and deliver helping hand to ensure that policies are implemented in letter and spirit. Now is the time to fight this inevitable battle at physical plane and graduate to psychological plane through merger of thoughts, deeds and action. Here silence of action will be heard across all sections of society. No new militant outfit will mushroom to be banned by the Government.

Geoffery
(The writer can be reached out via
email: jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in)