LEGALISING THE ILLEGAL ( AN EFFORT)

LEGALISING THE ILLEGAL
(AN EFFORT)
No one can play with the spirit of masses. It’s more applicable in a democratic set up like ours. Of late NSCN (IM) had been the cause of needless tension in the region. And this is due to illegal acts that the outfit wants to legalize with the power of gun. Probably the outfit is fed up of staying in jungles and is rushing to populated areas resulting in stress, fear and uncertainty in the minds of the people there.
Efforts of the outfit in Nagaland have failed and people have replied in the language it understands. Despite wielding of sophisticated weapons, the cadres were chased away by the unarmed people (of Phek) with whatever they had i.e. Dah, Sickles, Lathi etc. Peaceful uprising of the people in terms of observing black day, rallies etc against killings of innocents like Konyak Youths , Inato Sumi(4), Hoveto, Hurbert (10) & Martin(12) etc in 2007 has also conveyed a message to the outfit. Tribes like Chakhesang People’s Organisation had sternly warned the cadres against causing disturbance in their lives.
The people seem to have understood that the outfit is acting more colonial against the other Naga tribes for its own gain. There is a need to understand meaning of the word colonial, which is an adjective of the word colony meaning a country or area under the political control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country. The outfit is engaged in number of illegal activities i.e. extortion, kidnapping, procurement of arms, inter factional killing in populated areas, collection of illegal taxes, training other outfits for consideration, illegal occupation of land of other tribes ( Jalukie incident) etc. under the cover of cease fire agreement with the Government of India. All these activities are in violation of ceasefire ground rules (CFGR) as the author knows.
Now the outfit is heading towards Manipur. Least has it realised that spirit of Manipuris against illegal activities is no less. The spirit of June up rise in 2001 against extension of ceasefire (with Nagas) without territorial limits is still alive. 18 Jun is observed as a “Unity Day” in Manipur. On that day 18 Manipuris (aged 15 to 46) lost their precious lives braving the curfew. The sacrifice of the people will not go waste.
Recent effort to establish a camp in Ukhrul district has also not succeeded, which was attempted by the outfit in 2007 also. As far as the author knows the areas of the camp have been well defined and the cadres are not supposed to establish new camps, recruit new cadres, train other outfits etc. But effort is being made for every thing proscribed, hoping that it will be accepted with the passage of time.
The effort of the outfit to establish a camp in Ukhrul has not succeeded due to the joint pressure of people’s WILL and action of security forces. Women folk of Siroy and adjoining villages such as Langdang, Choithar and Lunghar have been sitting on vigil 24 hours a day, interspersed with prayers, to keep a watch in case the clash breaks out between the outfit and SF. Head man of village Sirohi Wungachan Shangh when asked whether he had been given any written document signed between NSCN (IM) and Government of India replied in Negative (The Sangai Express 23 Jan 09).
People of the village had made separate appeals to Prime Minister of India, Local Headquarters of security forces and also the hierarchy of the outfit. Meanwhile civil society organization like Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Youth council and Tangkhul women association took out a rally in Ukhrul calling for means to easing tensions between two sides. One of the society leaders on condition of anonymity said,” the civil societies would not have intervened had the tension been in some isolated places like in jungles, but since the present tension is taking place in a village, we believe that the villagers would be ultimate victims (The Morung Express datelined 23 Jan 09) .
It is a strong message, the people have given to the outfits that they can not mislead them by using words like colonial, imperialist etc and interfere in their peaceful lives. They have also given a message that SFs are official instrument to ensure that CFGR are observed but we are no less in ensuring that the spirit of our peaceful living is not interfered by vested interests. This is a very potent message,” It is no good to cry peace; we must act peace, live peace and live in peace”.

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

SIROHI LILY BEING MAULED

SIROHI LILY BEING MAULED
Flowers offer a message of growth, regeneration & happiness. So is Sirohi Lily of Ukhrul District in Manipur (insurgency troubled). There is a cry from within when a flower is mangled. Same is the case when the peace of the people is disturbed. Manipur has almost two dozen UG outfits, including NSCN (IM), operating in the state. Each outfit is attempting & contesting to enlarge its area of influence for hegemony over larger territory to enhance the loot of illegal taxes, only can the hierarchy of outfits enjoy life when the cadres live in wretchedness and distress.
NSCN (IM) a scion of NSCN (other being NSCN (K)) is the largest and oldest outfit, a fountainhead of terrorism in North Eastern Region. So is its influence in and around Nagaland with voracity to enhance it further. Recent Sirohi incident is a pointer. Top hierarchy of the outfit being from Tangkhul tribe wants to have a stronghold in Manipur in violation of Cease Fire Ground Rules (CFGR) of CF agreement, applicable to Nagaland alone. Previous attempt for the same (in 2007) had been aborted by suitable intervention of SFs. The incident started on 19 Jan 09 when the outfit wanted to establish a camp in Sirohi but is not permitted being an illegal act.
Going through the media reports it is ironical to note that so called self proclaimed saviors of the society are actually perpetrators of psychological and physical violence in the society. To quote excerpts from The Sangai Express (dated 20 & 21 Jan 09); “locals requested the cadres and SF to avoid any clash. Women folk (known for their grit) kept a sharp vigil, in the night, on the village in case any confrontation takes place. Farmers were informed to cut short their work hours and return home.” This was all to avoid any collateral societal damage in case of needless clash. In the past number of innocent men, women and children have either lost their lives or were injured to be recovering later or stay maimed for life in such incidents.
These violent acts cause Fear Psychosis that stays 24 x 7 resulting in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to many irrespective of age. The fear factor for survival had been on from time the incident commenced and will continue till it is over. This has resulted in closure of shops and cutting the work hours of those who earn enough, only for the day? The insatiability for more and more can be gauged from the fact that annual budget of the outfit runs in crores and it wants more.
Few days back the outfit had caused a crisis of cooking gas (in Manipur) by demanding Godown Tax of Rs 15 lakhs and deprived people of convenience of cooking. The illegal tax collection of the outfit on major portion of NH-39 (through 26 illegal posts) and discomfort to the people of Manipur is a known fact. People of Nagaland are already fed up with these outfits due to their illegitimate activities. There had been number of up rises, appeals and even lynching of some its cadres by the irate public. Scared; they are trying to find new places of survival. They are no ones saviour but opportunists for filling their coffers.
I am compelled to quote an international example; Hitler, who propagated that he was against Jews but saviour of Germans, was against humanity in real. The same is summed up in the poem of Martin Niem”ler (a German theologian) that he wrote in incarcerated state in the concentration camp. It reads:
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist.
Then they came for union leaders and I did not speak out because I was not a union leader.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.
That is the sprit that locals have understood that these outfits mean well for none but self. Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) General Secretary (while taking the responsibility of bomb blast (16 Jan 09) in Ukhrul town said that they understand the value of life. He further said, “Nagas of Manipur have been deceived by NSCN (IM) in the name of Nagalim /Sovereignty. It shall continue fighting against the hypocrisy and imperialistic attitude of NSCN (IM).” It further appealed to the people of Manipur to understand the threats made by NSCN (IM) to each & every good citizen as land lords for their benefits only (Eastern Mirror datelined 22 Jan 09). People need to come together for fighting against all the anti social elements to ensure a fragrant peaceful and progressive society for our generations lest they are mauled to be a non entity.
Geoffery
(Readers can reach out to the author via email: jaey_geoffery@rediffmail.co.in OR post views on blog: jaey-geoffery.bolgspot.com)

TROUBLED HIGHWAY

TROUBLED HIGHWAY
First phase of Look East Policy (LeP) 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). For LeP to deliver optimal results North East Region (NeR) of our country has a critical role to play. This region is resource (both human and material) rich but less explored and not assessed to the level it deserves. To quote Mani Shankar Aiyar Union Minister for DoneR “NeR is like California of 1848. Just as California’s economy boomed with the start of Gold rush in 1849, a similar economic boom is just going to happen in this region”. Will this prophecy come true? How and when is to seen?
The main input for this to be successful has to come from optimal use and optimal up gradation of existing road and rail links. Plans are in place but execution is a nightmare. In whole array Manipur (Jeweled state) is a spring board that has to make key contribution. The state is principally connected to rest of the country by three National Highways (NHs): NH-39, NH-53 and NH-150 totaling 965 Kms of road through the state. The discussion is restricted to NH-39 that is the life line of Manipur. It starts from Numaligarh ( in Assam) passes through important towns of Nagaland (Dimapur- a commercial hub, Kohima- a power hub) and Manipur (Senapati- a commercial town and Imphal- a commercial and power hub before ending at Moreh). The terminus of the highway is a place where millions of rupee trade (both legal and illegal) is undertaken everyday. It is a battle ground of Indian Insurgent Groups (on either side of the border) for bigger share of the pie. Moreh has also been slated to be upgraded to Land Custom Station along with other three (Dawki in Meghalaya, Sutrakandi in Assam and Agartala in Tripura) in the region.
The life line of jeweled state is constricted with negative influence of various outfits all along. They have carved out their own areas of influence for illegal tax collection from travelers, buses and trucks plying on the road leading to inconveniences of the unfortunate people. From Khatkhati to Mao (a border town of Nagaland) the stretch is controlled by NSCN groups. Even beyond Mao to Imphal (109 Kms in Manipur) the NSCN (IM) controls, due to Naga dominated areas of Senapati district in Manipur. Imphal to Moreh (110 Kms) is divided among two dozen outfits of Manipur. NSCN (IM) being the oldest outfit has a well oiled set up to collect voluntary tax (as they call it) e.g. employment tax (@ 2% of pay p.m.), transport tax, Immigration tax etc. Probably the rates are likely to undergo a change in the new budget proposal the out fit will present very soon. The author happens to talk to one of the traders in Dimapur and enquired about the situation after 1997. The reply that shocked the author was “it was better before the agreement because demand notes were few and for smaller amounts and there was scare of law and order machinery unlike now when it happens unhindered”. It is nothing new when home minister of the state (supposed to provide flawless law and order) calls it ‘normal crimes’.
The major portion of the highway is controlled by NSCN (IM). The chief minister of Manipur was not wrong when he made a statement in Manipur state assembly replying to motion (2007) called by opposition member Oktram Joy of Manipur People’s Party that “illegal imposition of tax by NSCN (IM) on transportation in Manipur is a cause of serious concern.” He should have also highlighted the character of two dozen UG outfits operating in Manipur. The highway is a ramshackle and at number of occasions Senapati District Student Association (SDSA) has called for bandhs for improving status of the highway. Violence along the highway is another cause of concern for the investors, contractors, small time business people and all alike. As per statistics of Institute of conflict management, from 2001 to 2007 there had been 384 and 1539 insurgent related fatalities in Nagaland and Manipur respectively. As per
SATP portal Nagaland witnessed 145 and Manipur witnessed 489 fatalities in 2008. Maximum percentages of these have been in and around Imphal and Dimapur towns. There is an urgent need to fire the ceasefire i.e. state governments need to implement all encompassing effective means to check illegal activities of the outfits that have entered into an agreement of ceasefire or suspension of operations. Otherwise the dream of linking India with SE Asia through Manipur, a natural process of Globalization and regional cooperation may be over delayed or may not come true.


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)