The Government of India is once again facing a crisis both in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast. Ever since July, when a tear-gas shell ended the life of a Srinagar teenager, the cycle of violence has only continued to spiral out of control so much so that the State government has been left immobilized. The ground situation in J&K especially across the Kashmir Valley will resemble the streets of Mao, Senapati or Ukhrul in the Naga Hill districts of Manipur. In May following the boycott call given against the holding of Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections and later the tragic killing of two innocent Naga youths, there was protest across the hill section of Manipur. The refusal to allow free movement of Naga leaders inside Manipur only added to the anger and subsequently the economic blockade being enforced along the Manipur section of NH-39 was extended to Nagaland. Somehow after much protest, the situation was brought under control with the economic blockade temporarily suspended by the Naga groups. Naga student leaders met the political leadership in New Delhi including the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, Home Minister etc. and got assurances that things would be sorted out. On that assurance as we understand it to be, the blockade was lifted. Obviously sensing that things were not moving, the United Naga Council (UNC) the apex body of the Nagas in Manipur through a memorandum reminded the Prime Minister on a number of issues. The question is whether such memorandums and representations actually reach the Prime Minister. There have been allegations in the past that, the genuine grievances of the people do not reach the top but remain in the files of our bureaucrats from the Home Ministry. And so despite much hope and expectation, people lose whatever good sense they have and resort to the streets. That seems to be the problem with the latest brief to the Prime Minister of India from the UNC.
And not surprisingly only after threatening to resume the suspended economic blockade, there is response from the establishment in the form of requests and appeals. Again not to our surprise this plea has come from the Union Home Ministry and not from the Prime Minister’s Office. That means the memorandum to the PM was never delivered. And this is the crux of the problem that New Delhi will have to deal with i.e. to be removed from reality and not been responsive to the voice of people. Likewise the bureaucracy and the security establishment cannot be allowed to do as they like—being insensitive to people’s need; indulging in red tape and holding on to the status-quo. Both in the case of the present crisis in J&K and the Northeast (Manipur), the failure of New Delhi is that the Prime Minister has not been able to take any fresh political initiative. It is high time that the Congress led UPA government at the Centre take control of the situation in trouble areas whether it is in Kashmir, Telangana, Chattisgarh or the Northeast. While no doubt the inputs from the intelligence, army, bureaucracy and security advisors have to be relied upon, yet decision must be taken independently by the political leadership. They are elected and accountable to the people while the others are not. It is high time that we do away with the old thinking of force, suppression and domination. We need a new kind of politics that is based on goodwill, reciprocity, understanding and mutually beneficial relationship.
