The Naga Peace talk is derailed in every political sense.
The new administration in Manipur under Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has multiple challenges and hurdles.
And yet another problem that has started surfacing is the growing nexus and operational links between Meitei and Naga militants.
This new challenge will probably nullify Governor Bhalla's 'invitation' to the youths and others to surrender all illegal and looted arms.
Central security forces used to complain right from 2023 days that they were not given free hand to fight the wrongdoers and prevent the chaotic situations turn worse.
The erstwhile Biren Singh government was given free hand from Delhi and the forces often had to bear the brunt of political interference.
One adverse fallout with long term impact was to brand Assam Rifles as pro-Kukis. The perception was a part of a political propaganda.
And it did a big damage often preventing the prestigious para military force discharging their duties professionally.
It suited the local political masters. The central forces were also unable to show expected results as in many vulnerable pockets the AFSPA was not in force.
Two Assam Rifles were later replaced by forces which were not quite experienced in handling insurgency.
Of course at a subsequent stage the necessary corrective measures ought to be taken like in Jiribam region in 2024. In fact, the AFSPA saved lot many lives in the violence hit pockets and especially Hmar people were 'rescued and saved'.
"I would not have backed AFSPA had we been protected by police and other forces before Assam Rifles arrived.... There was apparently a deliberate negligence and our people were attacked in a gruesome manner," said Lalram Sung, Village youth chairman, who has given his house now to a platoon of Assam Rifles personnel.
The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Acts (AFSPA) of course accompanied with the Disturbed Area Act empower the Forces to act in difficult situations. However, the central government says there is also a "robust mechanism" in place for course correction during operations and conflicts.
Thus, while admitting the need for the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the onus lies squarely on the Armed Forces to ensure that these special provisions are not put to any "misuse". The government in the past "did not hesitate" in taking stern action against the guilty, in case of any misuse/abuse of powers.
However, it ought to be remembered that the anti-India elements in Kashmir or militants in the northeastern region have an advantage of surprise elements.
This 'surprise' actually means near fatal roadmaps for soldiers.
On this backdrop we must take into account the entire scenario vis-a-vis the 'deadline' fixed by Governor Bhalla to surrender arms in Manipur.
Is it possible in the process of this 'deadline' extension - the Governor and the authorities in the Home Ministry has given 'certain time' to the underground groups and guerrilla fighters to shift 'base' across the border ?
Hence the refrain in Delhi is no further time should be wasted and hence no less Home Minister Amit Shah himself has said it categorically that strict actions should follow/kickstart from March 8th.
According to Shah - thus strict action must be taken "against anyone attempting to create obstructions".
The centre should also allow security forces and state police to examine all pros and cons of nexus an operational links between Naga and Meitei militants.
The problem has its own complexity because there are multiple armed militant groups among Meiteis. The UNLF and PLA will be two chief groups to be tracked at multiple levels virtually round the clock.
On the other hand, it could be NSCN-IM chiefly among the Nagas trying to befriend the Meitei 'self-styled compatriots'.
The 'chemistry' is very good between Naga militants and rebels in the Imphal valley, admitted a security analyst in Delhi.
Endorsing the spirit of the statement, Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd), former chief of Eastern Command, has said that -
"We have to understand that Myanmar’s crisis is not just an internal struggle for territorial control, but it is also a proxy battleground for both regional and global powers.
The real battle is for international legitimacy, whether the junta remains in power or Myanmar’s future will be shaped by the National Unity Government (NUG) and its bid for global recognition."
Hence, if some sources are suggesting on the importance of gauging the depth of understanding between the Naga and Meitei militants, there are merits for the same.
This should also alarm those players in Delhi who are involved in day to day developments vis-a-vis the Naga peace talks. If the efforts are not yielding expected results, the Government and especially the Home Ministry need to act faster than the speed they are doing so at present.
If President's Rule in Manipur has to succeed; the authorities need to ensure that there is effective support to the security apparatus from the neighbouring states of Mizoram and Nagaland too.
In Mizoram, the quantum of insurgency is practically non-existent.
The problem is actually in Nagaland - where operational links between militants from Manipur (including with the rebel Meitei groups) will end up harming all good works of the last two-three decades.
Some arms flow have been reported earlier too.
Moreover, things are not moving in the right direction in Nagaland politically.
The Status Quo club is behaving like a 'deep state' and is harming the entire dialogue process.
At the same time, the Modi government has belatedly started realising that the so-called NDPP-BJP regime is hardly behaving like its 'asset'.
Sleeves may have to be pulled up soon. When the gentleman type behaviour is taken as a weakness, one has to crack the whip.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment