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