Presently three states (Assam, Nagaland & Manipur) of this beautiful NE region are on the boil. While grading these states (in levels of disturbance); understandable order would be Manipur, Assam and Nagaland.

The last one is more due to interfactional fights than the insurgency related incidents. ULFA has been rated by US Stratfor agency as a group to reckon with.

Does the outfit merit the accorded status or there is more to it? Manipur has more than two dozen outfits. Most of these out fits are sub groups/splinter groups/ sub splinter groups of the parent out fits. The majority of these belong to Meitei tribe followed by Kuki tribe etc.

Now let us introspect. How so many groups, pursuing different aims are surviving despite dismaying public with their recklessness?

Probably the answer lies in mutually dependent and mutually advantageous relationship between leaders and the led/ leaders and the not led (outfits)/ leaders and bureaucracy etc.

Readers may decide the symbiosis type after reading this write up. Recent case of release of three PHED, Manipur engineers by KRA at Saikul bazaar and their reception and escorting by PHED minister and Tribal Development minister is one indicator.

Other indicators are; recently, Dy Speaker of Manipur Assembly, TH Shyam Kumar Singh, has been denied bail by Delhi court. He was arrested at IGI Airport Delhi while he was about to fly out to Kathmandu with two UNLF leaders.

Interestingly he has won elections sitting in Tihar jail. The episode of apprehending 12 UGs from different outfits in Aug this year from VIP quarters at Babupara in Imphal was well publicized. Honorable CM of Manipur got a pat from the PM for his bold action.

But the CM seems to have pardoned the offenders by mild chiding, “Do not do it again”. The capture of UGs from VIP quarters is still continuing. Reduction in allotment of central development funds (3100 crores to 500 crores) has been ascribed to unholy practices in the state (the Sentinel datelined 01 Nov 07).

Manipur Government has envisaged passing a ruling to withdraw security cover of VIPs due the visible nexus of decision makers and decision violators. Hope privilege committee permits the same. Ruling to ban bandhs and blockades seem to have little or no effect.

UGs have their say in allotment of various contracts in the state. It reliably learnt that UNLF is planning to enter into some construction and production business for building economic strength of the outfit.

Former Governor of Manipur Shri Ved Marvah had said,” there arte hardly any politicians in Manipur of any stature, who do not have links with some insurgent groups”. Former COAS Genera JJ Singh’s statement, in Dec 2005, caused uproar.

He had said,” Honorable CM donated money to KYKL and PLA”. But veracity of the statement made by Shri Marwah cannot be questioned. He had also stated in one of the Big Fight programme , “ Rupees one hundred crores of state development funds were siphoned off”.

Probably the duos (unholy) are living up to the spirit of the saying by Sir William Arthur, “-------------, Encourage me and I may not forget you”.

This happens in matters of mutual interest, trust and lasting relations. May be that is the reason that none of the groups are coming forward for brokering the peace despite calls by the state government.

Masses are confused about the leadership. Rulings and policies of elected leaders are interfered, questioned and stumped by the diktats of UG leaders.

Elected leaders end up resorting to face saving mechanisms of enquiries, blaming the policies of central government, inefficient handling of situation by SFs etc. Remember! When a finger is pointed at others, there are three pointing towards the pointer.

Necessity of the hour is; stop appeasement out of fear or to avoid unpleasantness and start appeasing from a position of strength and clear policies. This is the only and sure way to peace.

It will result in butterfly effect, which posits that minute changes in one place can lead to massive impacts elsewhere, as like a fluttering insect triggers atmospheric disturbance that causes a distant tempest.

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power; the world will know Peace”
- ‘Jimi Hendrix’