Plea For Peace

Anil *

North East Region has been affected by insurgency since long. In the year just gone by, over a thousand persons have been killed in insurgency related violence in the seven states of the North East.

The bulk of these deaths occurred in just three states - Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. When the data for terror kills was published by national/local dailies (data from South Asian Terrorist Portal), North East stood far ahead of Kashmir even.

In these three states of the region - Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, separatist violence continues with an incendiary mix of ethnic strike. While terrorist action in Assam still get attention, Manipur, with the second highest number of terrorist related deaths after Kashmir, has not blinked in the National radar. Nagaland too, has no less numbers. 201 such killings despite the 'purported ceasefire'.

The Naga people are fed up with the all pervasive extortion activities, kidnappings and taxing by both the factions. In utter disregard to the ceasefire agreement, inter factional killings and clashes still continue with outrageous actions by both the factions.

"I want peace not war"

Peace and tranquility have become a passe with the local population having no option but to bear the brunt. No wonder, elected representatives are appealing to these self proclaimed war lords to bring 'peace' bringing ignominy to the position they hold.

Imagine the plight of a normal citizen, when elected government functionaries have to publicly plead and thank for peace to these 'war lords'. We are at the mercy of the Almighty!

Despite the ceasefire agreement being in vogue, the extra judicial writ of these faction reign. The Security Forces per se cannot take any proactive stance, due to the Cease-Fire Agreement.

In the process of struggle for right to self determination, many a precious Naga lives had been lost. In the name of freedom, self claimed protectors of the community have created more sense of fear among the people.

The district officials have banned bursting of crackers during celebrations. Why so? Is it to minimize pollution? This needs to be pondered. The civil administration is at as much 'panic' as the innocent locals, when there is continuous and big burst of crackers.

If the ceasefire agreement is in vogue, why need to panic? Axiomatically, these 'warlords' are breaking the ceasefire ground rules with impunity and to their advantage. Recently, an Indian Army (Naga) officer was hauled up for bursting of crackers during a marriage ceremony in a local hotel. The officer was later exonerated. Why is the state and district administration applying different yardsticks?

The ideology and the main objectives of the people of the state was for the integrity of Nagaland, peaceful solution of the Naga political problems and peaceful coexistence. But due to lack of communication and misunderstanding between the Naga leaders they split after bloody spurge.

After nine years of NSCN split, the Indian government had taken into confidence with the NSCN-IM and the ceasefire was declared in 1997 between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) to resolve the issue through talks.

The talks being held for the last many years and ceasefire being extended from time to time. Meanwhile both the factions are busy trying to consolidate their respective control over various districts and fiefdom as also gain control over commercial capital as well, leading to inter factional killings. Administrators of the state have thus become a mere spectator and commoners having to accept as 'fait accompli'.

Many NGOs' and religious leaders have also tried their best to bring peace in the state but to no avail. Peace and unity process have also been scuttled by few leaders leading to avoidable bloodshed and killings.

Consequently, the North Eastern region has earned the unique distinction of topping the list of insurgency related fatalities surpassing even J & K.

Thanks to all these non state actors who are living in palatial bungalows - some abroad, while the pawns are killing each other. It is time for every honourable Naga citizen to seriously carryout introspection for a better Nagalim.

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* Anil contributes to e-pao.net for the first time. Your views are welcome to anil(dot)tripsy(at)gmail(dot)com
This article was webcasted on January 27 2009.

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