Within minutes Home Minister Amit Shah's tweet went viral; strategic observers and others were stunned.
".... Insurgency is no longer an issue," he told the meeting of North Eastern Council (NEC) attended among others by all chief ministers and Governors from the insurgency-infected and violence-hit north eastern region. It took couple of hours to get into the 'trap' he has created. 'Chanakya' title comes to some people because they deserve and work hard to attain and retain it.
But what about a big picture debate -- otherwise so essential ...? If Insurgency is no longer an issue in north east; what is all about the political issues ?
The Home Minister's big Missive is with a purpose and based on good reasoning.
One senior journalist who has covered north east says - "Shah is right even if you do not like what he has said.
"Insurgency is when armed groups fight against army and the government to secede from the country. No ethnic armed group is fighting for such 'independence' now. There is only militancy in some areas. Their main demand is protection for their rights within the constitution."
Essentially; the Home Minister has asked the state governments, chief ministers and Governors to "protect" the rights of the citizens.
It is a master stroke and a statement with a foresight.
In the meantime.... citing growing frustration over the prolonged delay in resolving the Naga political issue, the youth-led movement called Fed Up Nagas has announced a peaceful public rally on June 27 to demand quick implementation of the 2015 Framework Agreement and the 2017 Agreed Position.
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| Fed Up Naga leaders address a press conference at Dimapur on June 4 |
New Delhi mandarins declined to talk much.
A few said, "More than us in Delhi, you should take reactions from ground zero". It took some time and persistent efforts and then an informed source claimed:
"A section of underground leaders in north east today know where and how they have been trapped today. The militant groups officially and in public hate to be called insurgents. So we have been told, if they react and criticse Amt Shah ji; it will be like ACCEPTING that issues of Nagas or even in Assam (ULFA) and other states were insurgency".
The same logic will be sold to argue why chief ministers at the meet including the likes of Neiphiu Rio or even Himanta Biswa Sarma would not counter Shah.
Experts say much thought has been given about the statement (from Home Minister) especially the timing. Notably, the Minister's made his observation close on the heels of very important Summit talks held between PM Narendra Modi and Myanmar's military ruler-turned-president U Min Aung Hlaing.
There are other versions too and most of it is drawn from Amit Shah's tweet itself. He said he has/had "directed the states to build AI, machine learning and blockchain infrastructure for new generations". In other words, focus about northeast will be Development and prosperity of the people. This is precisely highlighted in the North East Vision Plan 2047.
On this backdrop, a source in the know of things -- the Govt of India may soon give a push to its Act East Policy eyeing closer bonds and enhanced ties with South East Asian countries including Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand.
Team Shah in the Home ministry will also encourage NE states to tap the most of its Tourism potentials and also growing sectors like Health Tourism.
Importantly, he made such a statement in the presence of all state Chief Ministers and Governors including the likes of Neiphu Rio, Y Khemchand Singh and Himanta Biswa Sarma -- chief ministers of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam respectively.
As of now insurgency-related trouble not necessarily blatant violence and ambushes are prevalent in varying degrees in these three states.
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| Indian Army in action |
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| Naga Insurgents ? or 'freedom fighters' ??? |
Now comes an interesting part of the tale. Is Insurgency really a thing of the past ?
Step by step; we may note that to thousands of youngsters -- Insurgency or Militancy no longer "excites" them.
They are more keen for a career in science, technology, civil service and other avenues like medical, AI, corporate wings etc. For that they need peace first.
The Govt of India would also need tranquility and peace to make its Act East policy more result oriented and helpful to address issues in north east India.
Next point - where is "insurgency" or political conflicts really today
Assam… only three districts that also ULFA(I) struggling to have relevance. The scale of 'political issue' or Insurgency is much subdued and under control.
Nagaland… awaiting Political solution. And probably it is also an issue of concern vis-a-vis Taxation or Extortion.
The Rio Govt is actively 'inactive' for a final Solution pact or inactively 'active' !!
Manipur …. What bothers much is Ethnic clashes.
So, it is only a Law and Order issue. The state needs Border Fencing, say Y Khemchand Singh, present CM and also his predecessor N Biren Singh.
Arunachal Pradesh … - as New Delhi mandarins say -- only a few proscribed groups operating from across the borders.
And, importantly; Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya… they are not disturbed.
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