The assassination and thereafter
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: July 16, 2014 -

Office room of NSCN-IM's Wung Tangkhul Region tactical Hqs raided by security forces on July 13 :: Pix - TSE

The situation unfolding in the State with its epicentre at Ukhrul town following the assassination of former Ukhrul ADC Vice-Chairman Ngalangzar Malue on July 12 at Finch Corner along Imphal-Ukhrul road is really unsettling.

The State acted swiftly, raided one tactical headquarters of NSCN-IM at Phungreitang and arrested eight cadres, even though the Naga rebel roup later denied their involvement in the high profile assassination.

However, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam had already gone on record that “looking at the various unwanted incidents which were carried out against the ADC Members and ADC election, it might have been carried out by NSCN-IM”.

Chief Minister O Ibobi declared that all the criminals involved in the murder would never be let off. He stated that it’s time to demonstrate there is rule of law (in the State).

“The State Government has been holding its hands back in view of the peace talk being negotiated with the Government of India. But their unlawful and criminal activities have crossed all limits and the State Government has exhausted all its capacity of tolerance”.

This was exactly what the Chief Minister had stated in front of media in a tone suggestive of the Government’s determination to take on their adversaries head on.

The next day, the district Magistrate issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC.

In the meantime, NSCN-IM came out with a strong-worded condemnation with a warning that it (the raid) would have far reaching consequences. NSCN-IM averred that it would go to any extent to protect “our rights and dignity as a people”.

The State Government, being a legitimate Government, elected through adult franchise under the Indian Constitution, is duty bound to protect its citizens and it has the responsibility and authority to check criminal and unlawful activities which take place within its jurisdiction.

It is in the line of this general understanding of governance that the State Government cracked down on NSCN-IM whom it assumed as responsible for the assassination of the Ukhrul ADC Member.

The counter argument is, NSCN-IM cadres have all the right to live or stay in their native villages or elsewhere for the outfit is currently under cease fire agreement with the Government of India.

The Government of Manipur’s contention on this aspect is that the cease fire agreement signed between NSCN-IM and New Delhi, and its ambit is restricted to the State of Nagaland.

As such, many of the unwanted confrontations and stand-off seen in the State of Manipur stemmed from paradoxical interpretations of the ceasefire agreement.

The tragedy is, it is the common people who are often caught in between as is the case in Ukhrul town today.

As things stand today, the cease fire agreement has no legal or constitutional bearing on the Government of Manipur although it means a lot to the Naga insurgent group.

In view of the divergent views held by different sections with regard to the cease fire agreement which often result in conflicts of various types and degrees, the Government of India need to give a common or uniform interpretation of the cease fire agreement.

Another thing, the Government of India can do is, take the Government of Manipur into confidence in the process of the political dialogue with NSCN-IM.

This step, we believe, can do away with many unwanted misunderstandings, conflicts and confrontations.

Some suspects, according to the State, have been arrested and brought to Imphal.

Then why is the State taking all the trouble of deploying a large number of commandos and IRB forces at Ukhrul town, much to the annoyance of common people?

The Government need to weigh all the pros and cons before taking the next step.

As for the family of Ngalangzar, it was double tragedy. His ailing mother whom he was visiting too expired soon after his life was abruptly cut short by the assassins.

This much we can say, not only Ngalangzar, his innocent mother has been made victims of political violence.