Kahuto Chishi Sumi
Dimapur T
he French Foreign Legion was formed by France to control their Colonies in North Africa. The problem was that the ordinary French Citizen was reluctant to join a Force which was permanently stationed in the harsh Saharan Deserts of North Africa; so the French Authorities came up with a unique solution. Anybody, whatever your nationality, religion or race was welcome to join the Legion, no questions asked, and after your period of service was over, you were guaranteed French Citizenship. Many Europeans fleeing prosecution for henious crimes made a beeline to France to join the Legion. French criminals, at the time of sentencing, were given a choice between serving their sentence or joining the French Foreign Legion, fulfilling one’s term of service in the Legion was an automatic pardon for Crimes committed. Those facing long jail terms and those facing the gallows, naturally chose the Legion. Thus the French Foreign Legion became the Last Refuge of the dregs of Europe; Murderers, rapists, thieves and thugs of all colours filled their ranks.
In a similar vein, the N.S.C.N.(I-M) seems to be recruiting and promoting cadres with no questions asked, and with no thought of the long term implications of such blind acceptance of cadres. It is common knowledge that a certain “Major” Umesh Bihari, apparently headed the “Town Command” of the I-M at Kohima, the Capital of Nagaland itself!!!!! A certain “Captain” Chetri was also purported to be a member of the I-M.
The Dimapur Police recently arrested two Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants who were members of the I-M. The I-M took a long time to issue a flat denial that they were not members of the I-M, and that Survival Nagaland, the DUCCF and the Dimapur Police(by implication) were trying to defame the I-M. The denial would have been funny, if it wasn’t for the dangerous implication that the I-M recruits all comers. The I-M should understand that their denial was as believable as a Prostitute claiming Virginity.
Now that we have The Assam Rifles arresting another IBI cadre of the I-M, with arms ammunition and documents, same as in the earlier case; are we going to see another flat denial in the papers? Keep in mind that in both cases, the arrested not only claimed membership of the I-M, but claimed to hold the rank of “Rajapeyu”. Isn’t a “Rajapeyu” equivalent to a Deputy Commissioner? The signs seem to point to the premise that the I-M will accept anyone into its ranks, and promote them, provided that the person can generate money from any source. There seems to be a Foreign Legion within the rank and file of the I-M. The difference seems to be that while the French knew not to promote the ordinary soldiers of the Legion beyond the rank of Sergeant, the I-M seems to have no scruples elevating the Outcasts and Thrash of Society in its Organisation.
It was my belief that the I-M was fighting for Naga Independence from India; but now the demand for Independence has been Adulterated to the dubious cry of “Shared Sovereignty” with India, and Independence seems to be Financial Independence, not Political Independence.
Among my earlier queries, unanswered so far, about some of the clauses of the ‘Framework Agreement” was a concept called, “Permanent Citizen of Nagaland”. This clause purportedly seeks to remove the Statutory Status of an “Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland”, and replace it with something called a “Permanent Citizen of Nagaland”; with equal rights and privileges to all jobs, lands and resources in Nagaland. So the question before us is, “Is the I-M going to grant Permanent Citizenship to present day Nagaland State all the Non-Naga, including dubious Mainland Indians and Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants and Non-Indigenous Cadres in its fold?”
If that is so, please leave the Nagas of Nagaland and the State of Nagaland out of any dirty deal you may make with the Government of India. You may change your cry to “Bharatlim for Ram” or “Banglalim for Allah”, for all we care; but don’t include us or try to drag us into it.
GOD SAVE NAGALAND
