It should not come as a surprise to learn that the northeast has emerged as an area of concern conveniently possible for terror groups and anti-social elements to find a haven for their activities here. It has also become a major trade route for illegal arms and explosives and using the northeast as a safe corridor for inimical forces is therefore posing a major security challenge not only for the country but more so for the States in the region. It is not the first time that this concern has been raised by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. During an earlier Chief Ministers conference on Internal Security held at New Delhi in September 2006, Rio had raised concerns over the influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Whether the security bosses in Delhi took note of this or not, but beyond such summit meetings though, the one thing that will not escape people’s mind especially in the region, is the absence of a coordinated policy and approach in tackling the problem of illegal migrants. It has been observed that even the Prime Minister and Home Ministry officials, other than focusing on the naxalite problem, appears to be not giving enough attention to the infiltration of illegal immigrants into the Northeastern region. And it is this lackadaisical approach, which is worrying and calls for greater cooperation among the sister States.
Coming to the Assam-Nagaland border dispute, the Nagaland Chief Minister has once again reiterated the need to resolve it outside the court of law. Given the complexity as also the sensitivity of the problem, any decision taken by a court of law in relation to the Assam-Nagaland border row would be detrimental and the reiteration for seeking an amicable solution through mutual understanding therefore is welcomed. The logic behind this argument of Nagaland lends credence because to resolve the dispute one will have to look beyond a zero sum game formulation. It will be only fair to say that a court diktat would lead to a winner-loser situation and this will ultimately not allow the people on either side to live peacefully. The idea of a political settlement therefore has to be appreciated by both the State Governments including the NGOs and civil societies on both side of the border. These calls for a more meaningful cross border dialogue and the ongoing efforts of civil society groups must be further enhanced.
Likewise the comment coming from Rio that a ‘third party’, comprising mostly the illegal Bangladeshi migrants, is playing a crucial role in keeping the dispute hot among the people of both the States, is a serious issue and hopefully both the Government of Nagaland and Assam will look into this aspect while attempting to address the border problem. The Ao Students Conference (AKM) had even alerted the State Director General of Police on the threat posed by illegal migrants. The Border Commission presently in mediatory effort will also do well to take note of the Chief Minister’s comment. The civil society groups in Assam should also put pressure on the Tarun Gogoi government to extend its hand of cooperation as sought by his Nagaland counterpart. As Rio suggested, both the State Governments of Assam and Nagaland would have to identify these illegal migrants and take necessary action against them. It is no point waiting on New Delhi.
