March 5, 1995 was such Black Day --- a Sunday -- I was in AIR, Kohima newsroom

In Nagaland itself, another such 'Black Day' was March 5, 1995. The incident had claimed eight lives when Rashtriya Rifles returning from election duty in neighbouring state of Manipur went berserk in the southern part of Kohima mistaking a 'tyre burst' to an ambush.

Midland House: Those were the days !

This journalist was in AIR, Kohima newsroom that fateful day and made a miraculous escape. I was summoned back home in West Bengal but native Nagas remained clueless for days on what was stored in their fate in the name of combing operation and retaliatory violence. Two journalists (non-Nagas) later had to leave/flee state capital Kohima permanently and the then Deputy Commissioner Kohima, L V Reddy was killed few days later. 

 Amit Shah expressed 'regrets' and extended condolences to

the bereaved families for the Mon district violence in Nagaland. It is not for the first time such a bungled operation took place in northeast.

In Nagaland itself, another such 'Black Day' was March 5, 1995. The incident had claimed eight lives when Rashtriya Rifles returning from election duty in neighbouring state of Manipur went berserk 

in the southern part of Kohima mistaking a 'tyre burst' to an ambush.

This journalist was in AIR, Kohima newsroom that fateful day and made a miraculous escape. I was summoned back home in West Bengal but native Nagas remained clueless for days on what was stored in their fate in the name of combing operation and retaliatory violence.

Two journalists (non-Nagas) later had to leave/flee state capital Kohima permanently and the then Deputy Commissioner Kohima, L V Reddy was killed few days later. 

CM Rio 

AFSPA need not be blamed, major issue is Neta--Militants nexus !

New Delhi:

(The bigger issue is the politician-armed groups nexus. If this menace is not checked
effectively, the 'integration' issue will remain a challenge in the north east.)

An impression has been created in the last 48-72 hours that the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and the Indian army are root causes of all problems in states such as Nagaland and other northeastern provinces.

Dec 4, 2021 certainly is a Black Day. But in Nagaland itself, another such 'Black Day' was March 5, 1995. 

The incident had claimed eight lives when Rashtriya Rifles returning from election duty in 

neighbouring state of Manipur went berserk in the southern part of Kohima mistaking a 'tyre burst' to an ambush.

This journalist was inside AIR, Kohima newsroom that fateful day and made a miraculous escape.

It was a Sunday and the stillness of a leisurely afternoon when most Christian Nagas had returned

home from the church service was disturbed. 

Veteran Naga leader S C Jamir was the Chief Minister then. As is happening now, the tension

was palpable and there were usual statements from national political leaders. 

But nothing much has changed since then apparently.

Again it was a case of 'mistaken identity' and the entire attack is directed against the AFSPA.

One is aware of a Manipur politician who had insisted on

withdrawal of AFSPA, but was clueless when he was told that without AFSPA on ground

all army units would have to be withdrawn. His apprehension was what would happen to the law and order.

In this context, it is relevant to quote quite at length former army chief Gen V P Malik.

"During the run-up to the Manipur Assembly elections (1990), a political party leader, 

in order to garner students’ support and votes, made the removal of the AFSPA a major electoral issue. When 

he won the elections and became the Chief Minister, ....I said, I will pull out troops from the 60-odd posts, 

concentrate them outside Manipur. 

“But you cannot do that! What will happen to the law and order situation?” the politician had said.

This is the paradox.

The bigger issue in states like Nagaland or other northeastern states - as perhaps also in Kashmir

is the politician-armed groups nexus.

The same thing ought to be 'looked into carefully and in some details' by the central government

and various agencies.

There were suggestions a few months back that the NIA would be preparing a detailed report on

armed guerrilla groups and their notorious nexus with the political class.

Is Nagaland, 'exempted' from this just because the so-called peace talks are on ?

Congress leader in the state Kewekape Therie would differ.

In the mid-nineties, Lt Gen S S Grewal was GOC Nagaland. Grewal, who later became Adjutant General

in the army headquarters in Delhi, had told this writer - "The spinal cord or the real oxygen

to continue insurgency problem in northeast is the local support".

This back bone could be crushed easily if the politico-insurgents nexus is broken.

He had complained that a large number of unscrupulous netas has been very dishonest and manipulative

indulging in gross double standards.

In 1995 yet again, Congress chief minister S C Jamir faced a no confidence motion when he promulgated

provisions of the Disturbed Areas Act in certain areas. 

His response during the debate in the assembly was of a nationalist, a point which was 

appreciated by the then Home Minister S B Chavan. 

Jamir had said: "Often villagers are used as human shields in clash between army and the militants"

True, insurgency too is a cottage industry for some unscrupulous elements. The Modi government

needs to identify them.

ends 

Jamir 

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