'Delhi not sincere enough to resolve NE issues'
Insightful takes on issues of NE
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 11 2012: "New Delhi is not sincere enough to resolve insurgency issues of the North East region", was the general observation of a panel discussion programme held at Manipur Press Club here today under the aegis of Arambam Samarendra Trust and AMWJU.

The panel discussion programme held on the topic "Self Determination Struggles of North East India" was participated by Seven Sisters Post Editor Subhir Bhaumik, eminent writer Kaka D Iralu, Sangai Express (English edition) Editor Hijam Rajesh and Manipur Mail Executive Editor Ningthoukhongjam Ibungouchoubi.

The session was moderated by Imphal Free Press Editor Irengbam Arun.

While delivering the introductory speech, Arambam Lokendrajit noted that New Delhi is still opposed to admitting the decades long turmoil in the North East as armed conflict.

People of the region have been enduring all kinds of human rights violation for the past many years.

Though the people have been suffering under the armed conflict situation, the Government of India is yet to admit the reality before the international community, Lokendrajit said.

A Lokendrajit delivering a speech and the panellists

On account of such mis-projection of the situation by New Delhi, the ongoing non-international armed conflict is still unable to draw attention of the international community.

Nevertheless, by 1995 top Indian scholars and analysts spoke out that the issues of the North East region should be tackled through political actions.

They also started advocating negotiation and dialogue to resolve the outstanding issues, he added.

Recalling that India was formed after uniting 556 princely states, Subhir Bhaumik stated that all these princely states have their own identities and civilizational status.

The Government of India cannot simply bulldoze its way over the self-determination movements being waged against its federal structure and policy.

Though the Government of India has been claiming that all the citizens are equal before the eyes of law, there is wide disparity among the citizens, if observed from psychological perspective.

This is one primary reason for the Government of India's audacity to unleash all kinds of repressive measures through its military without ever thinking about the rights and dignity of the people inhabiting the region.

Even though the self-determination movements of the North East are passing through a crucial phase, the Government of India has not made any committed effort to address them.

The Government of India has held several parleys of peace talks with some rebel groups of Nagaland and Assam but there is no visible positive development because New Delhi is not sincere enough, he asserted.