North Eastern Region of India has been conflict scarred for almost sixty years now. In all the states of the region (less Arunachal Pradesh) there is virtual peace. There is a need to bring holistic peace in the region for optimally utilizing the available rich resources to advantage and development. Holistic peace is sociological, physiological and psychological in nature, where every member of the society is at peace to work, express, progress and excel. It means the elected government can discharge its judiciary, executive and legislative functions without blocks. Some may feel this is Utopian! It is not. This is achievable by collective and measured response from all the three i.e. UG outfits, State Govt and the Centre. It is felt that a stage is being set by various contributors, viz general public, security forces, official machinery etc. The need is to snatch the opportunity at the right moment.
On the eve of 59th Independence Day, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the President of India in his 14 page address to the Nation advocated “National Approach” to eradicate terrorism in all forms and to provide citizen security. He further said “the constant threat of Low Intensity Proxy War and terrorism have become a disturbing feature of national life. This constitutes the new face of war”. The spirit of national approach for the well being of North East was reinforced by the Prime Minister of India in his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort, Delhi. He expressed the hope that the North Eastern States would get out of the cycle of underdevelopment and violence and march with the rest of the country on the path of progress. He said “A life of progress and prosperity with self respect and dignity is the right of the people there, and we are confident of providing it”. Efforts of the States and the Centre are to be in line with this approach for providing citizen security.
Extension of ceasefire and peace process between NSCN(IM) and GOI has been welcomed by one and all including older people, youth, social organisations and above all political parties etc. During the last 9 yrs of its existence, it has caused visible peace, prosperity, progress and stable governance in Nagaland. Temporary cessation of hostilities by ULFA in Assam in response to Army’s call before 59th Independence Day was a very welcome step appreciated by all. Unfortunately this truce has fallen apart (on 20th Sept, 06) due to non-responsiveness, to the “preconditions” of the Centre, by the higher hierarchy of ULFA. This is very discomforting to the common man, businessmen, entrepreneurs, state govt. etc. During this short span of one month, Assam government had been trying to work out a lasting peace model with ULFA. The positive influence of progress and prosperity as a sequel to peace process, in Nagaland, is so much that voices in Manipur have also started requesting for the same. All Manipur Nupi Marup (a women organization) has urged the Prime Minister for initiating some concrete steps towards resolving problem of insurgency in Manipur because they feel that insurgency is disintegrating and not integrating. In a memorandum, the women’s body highlighted that the people of Manipur are feeling insecure and have begun to feel as though they are in the actual battle field due to the presence of so many insurgent groups and their meddling in the normal life of the people. Marup President said, no ground-work has been done to initiate talks with militants in Manipur. Memorandum further said that the demand to keep the Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit has put the integrity of Manipur at stake. General public is also fed up with insurgency prone disturbances in their life, which is evident in almost negligible to no response to the various calls made by the outfits for parochial interests.
For all pervasive peace, action is to be taken at three levels i.e. UG outfits, the State Govt and the Centre. UG outfits have the options: One: lay down arms (e.g. mass surrender by HNLC, BLFM cadres) and settle down peacefully. Two: ban any use of landmines and IEDs as done by Kukis. Three: agree to suspend operations (many outfits have entered into an agreement with security forces) thus causing virtual peace in the region. State Govt should: One; work out modalities envisioning both state and national interest, Two; workout various modalities of rehabilitating surrendered cadres and monitoring the progress to culmination. Three; prepare grounds for those who have either decided not to use IEDs and landmines or suspend the operations to come forward and be rehabilitated thus converting virtual peace to peace. Centre Government should extend all possible help while preserving national interest to create conducive environment for the state government. Answer to the question, whether UG outfits will do this is, yes! Indicators to this are in front of us, firstly; mass-scale surrenders of misguided youth (HNLC and BLFM cadres), secondly; Kuki organisations saying NO to use of land mines and IEDs, thirdly; a number of outfits have entered into an agreement with security forces for suspension of operations and are abiding by the same.
“Hold Faithfulness and Sincerity as First Principles” ‘Confucius’
Lt Col Nirupam Bhargava
Public Relations Officer
(Ministry of Defence), Kohima
Issued by:
Press Information Bureau
(Defence Wing), Government Of India
