Serving the Nation or the politicians? Open ended questions
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 10, 2013 -

The seven youths narrating their tale before the media :: Pix - TSE

Questions, questions, yet no definite answers. Serving the Nation or the politicians ?

This question gains significance in the face of the allegations raised by seven youths from Heirok that they were lured by the Assam Rifles to pose themselves as cadres of a militant outfit and take part in a surrender ceremony to be staged later.

It is also significant to note that the Assam Rifles authority has been quick to dismiss the allegations and come out with an official statement debunking the charges.

Two contradictory positions, but the common thread that runs between the two opposites is the term 'surrender'.

And herein lies the bigger question of the surrender ceremonies which Manipur have been witnessing at regular intervals down the years.

This is not the first time that 'surrenders' by militants have become the focal point of charges and counter charges and there is no indication that this will be the last time either.

Why would seven youths come out with such a serious charge against the Assam Rifles is a question worth pondering over.

If the allegation raised by the Heirok youths come anywhere near the truth then what has Assam Rifles or the Government got to gain by planning such a 'staged surrender ceremony' ?

Medals ? Outstanding Annual Confidential Reports for the officers and personnel concerned ?

Or is the allegation a case of some elements trying to tarnish the image of the 'Friends of the People' ?

All speculative questions, no doubt, but what is clearly indicative is the point that surrender by militants has gone beyond the formality of laying down arms before the security forces or the Government.

The very statement issued by the Assam Rifles should leave no one in doubt over this point.

Official statements are difficult and at times impossible to disprove. The statement issued by the Assam Rifles here is a case in point.

Assuming that the statement from the Assam Rifles is the Biblical truth, the natural question that follows is why would some youths, who have no link whatsoever with any underground outfit, approach the Assam Rifles to surrender posing as cadres of an armed outfit ?

This is where the politicisation of the whole surrender process becomes uncomfortably stark.

The system is such that all Government employees, the uniformed service is not an exception, are expected to serve the political class rather than the Nation and it is this lacunae that can be read into the politicisation of the surrender process of militants.

This system works well for those sitting on either side of the Constitution of the country.

To those opposed to the Constitution and waging a war against the Nation, such a system is the perfect opportunity to level charges against the Government.

To those who stand by the validity of the Constitution, the prevalence of such a trend, which has become the 'system', the most effective strategy to forward one's career is to kow tow to the fancy and whims of the politicians.

This is how the surrender process of militants has become more and more murky with each surrender ceremony.

This is the tragedy that can be read into the latest charges and counter charges.