Sunday, January 16, 2022

Emulating Nagas, Mizo ethnic groups keen for 'political role' in Manipur ::::: Himalayan Putra - Gen Bipin Rawat

New Delhi


Some ethnic groups in Manipur now eye their share of the cake.

The Clause 13 of the 16 Point Agreement between Naga People's Convention and the Government of India inked in 1960 still haunts the Nagas and the rest of northeast India's geo-politics.

It had said - "...the other Naga tribes inhabiting the areas contiguous to the present Nagaland  be allowed to join Nagaland if they so desire". 

It was also stated later that it was "not possible" for the Government of India to make any commitment in this regard at this stage (1960).




The statehood came for 'Nagaland state' on Dec 1, 1963 but many things are still hanging fire.


Now move on to the desire of the Mizos.


The organisations like the Zo Re-unification Organisations (ZoRO) and Zofa Global Network (ZGN), to name a few, 

have been working to bring cultural and social integration of all the ethnic Mizos (called Zofa) residing in 

Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Tripura and also Myanmar and Bangladesh.


Their dream - unification of all the 'Zofas' in India and neighbouring countries. 


The gunfire and bush fighting continue in Manipur and Nagaland. The heat and dust generated by 

these and politics over decades old insurgency of Nagas are hardly settled.


Now ethnic groups and smaller tribal communities sharing a bond with Mizos in Mizoram are looking

for a political role in Manipur.


A group of leaders from these smaller communities called on Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga, who is also

president of the Mizo National Front (MNF), at Aizawl on Jan 6 and urged him to launch the Manipur unit 

of the party and contest the ensuing elections.


The state of Manipur goes to polls in two phases on February 27 and March 3 along with four other states

including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.


"Mizoram Chief Minister Mr Zoramthanga gave us a patient hearing. He said he will consult the matter

with other party colleagues," a leader in the know of things told this journalist.


During discussions with Mizoram Chief Minister, the leaders from Manipur also urged him to take up with

appropriate authorities to start a helicopter service between Aizawl and Churachandpur in Manipur.


Mr Zoramthanga reportedly told them that he would take up the matter with his Manipur counterpart N Biren

Singh and also with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.


The delegation of 'ethinc Mizos' led by a member of the Churachandpur Autonomous District Council,

Gouzamang Guite, met Zoramthanga and took up these issues.


MNF leaders in Aizawl as the request has come quite late, it may not be feasible for the party (MNF)

to contest this year's assembly polls.


There is no gainsay in pointing out that the inspiration for forming a Mizo-backed party in Manipur 

comes from Nagaland-based Naga People's Front (NPF) and National People's Party (NPP) which is 

essentially based in Meghalaya.


Both these parties NPF and NPP had won four seats each in Manipur state assembly polls in 2017.


The NPP of Conrad Sangma bargained hard to get deputy chief ministership for

Y Joykumar Singh. The NPF that draws political strength in Naga inhabited areas in 2019

won the prestigious Outer Manipur parliamentary seat. 


NPF nominee Lorho S. Pfoze even polled 3,63,527 votes and could defeat his nearest BJP rival, H 

Shokhopao Mate (Benjamin).  


The issue of bringing all Naga contiguous areas under one administrative umbrella has been a disturbing

issue in the peace parleys between Naga groups and the Government of India.


During the stint of S C Jamir as Chief Minister, the then leader of the opposition, Late Vamuzo had also

successfully pushed for an assembly resolution to bring all Naga contiguous areas under one umbrella.   


Churachandpur district in south western part of Manipur adjoins Mizoram and has a substantial population 

consisting of 'ethnic Mizos including Thadou (Kuki), Hmar, Paite and others'.


Some youngsters from these communities in the 1960s had even joined the MNF underground movement, sources

say in Aizawl.

 

ends 



Himalayan Putra - Gen Bipin Rawat

New Delhi:


(Hailing from little known Sainj village in Pauri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand,
Gen Bipin Rawat came from a family of soldiers.
His father was Laxman Singh Rawat and had risen to the rank of Lt. General.)




In the beginning of the year 2015, some senior military commanders first met among themselves
and later they also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Few weeks later in June that year, Bipin Rawat, then a corps commander and Lt. General, along with his core 
team worked to finish a highly successful 'response' to an ambush by Naga militants,the NSCN-Khaplang faction 
beyond India's borders.

This was perhaps the first major 'surgical strike' by Indian forces carried out beyond frontiers. 

Military historians would certainly call Gen Bipin Rawat, now deceased, the right man with the right job.

But importantly, he was at the 'right time' of history. Without a clear unhindered 'green signal'
from the higher levels in Delhi - the results could not have been achieved.

A surgical strike 'deep inside' Myanmar and as many as 103 terrorists
were neutralised. India suffered zero casualties. 

Obviously, for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 'Himalayan putra' Bipin Rawat had arrived.

Modi was in power for hardly a year and this move had shaken various stakeholders in the
sub-continent.

That's Bipin Rawat - son of a little known Uttarakhand hamlet cradled in the Himalayan ranges. 

He later became India's army chief and the country's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

His untimely death in a ghastly copter crash on Dec 8, 2021 has left a major vacuum for the Prime Minister and his 'strategic team'.

Gen Bipin Rawat's contribution in curbing north east militancy has been immense and creditably, he achieved so without confronting the local politicians. 

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was a Member of Parliament in 2015, but he had an excellent 
working relationship with the corps commander at Rangapahar near Dimapur.

Rio has been a key political player in Nagaland as Chief Minister since 2003 and thus 
appreciating Rio's importance did help the Corps commander do his job smoothly.


In fact, the major strike against NSCN-K and other militants within five days of June 4, 2015 ambush 
was vital. The ambush had claimed lives of 18 Dogra Regiment personnel and hence the military 
counter operation was necessary to boost the morale of the men in camouflage.

Lt Gen Rawat understood the basics that India shares a long land frontier with Myanmar that runs 
longer than 1600 km. The government of India for decades took scant note of the fact that Myanmar’s 
so called “isolationist policy” – under the military regime – had only befriended it more to China. 

Hence, he also backed closer India-Myanmar ties. Not surprisingly, NSA Ajit Doval was deputed 
for a two day visit to Myanmar for talks with the authorities. 

The military junta officials in Myanmar have been suave operatives and quite experts in diplomacy too. 

All these forced the Manipur-based groups take a backseat and insurgency was 'curtailed' for a 
considerable period. 

Little wonder, within two months of the counter operations, on August 3, 2015, the Modi government
could enter into a Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM). 

Even mercurial NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah understood that inching forward 
in the 'peace talks' would be a prudent step.

Of course, the progress of talks remain slightly stalled as in Nov-Dec 2021 is a different chapter.

But from Lt Gen Bipin Rawat's perspective -- the central message to PM Modi was - 'Sir, insurgency can
be curbed' in the North East'.

The assertion and Bipin Rawat's exemplary handling of the challenges, later helped him become Indian army's
26th chief superseding two other senior officers.

Thus, a strategic thinker that he was and that meant - slightly different from the 'run-of-the-mill' thinking strategist,
Rawat became a vital member of Team Modi's security operatives.

He had fantastic working relations with four defence ministers of his time Manohar Parrikar, Arun Jaitley,
Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajnath Singh. 

Since Amit Shah became Home Minister in 2019, Gen Rawat reportedly used to interact with him too.

It is not without good reason, now the incumbent Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says 
-,"As the first Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Rawat prepared plans for jointness of our Armed Forces".

He was also part of the 'select few' planning team that ensured a historical success
in the form of post-Uri Surgical Strike in September 2016 across LoC in Pakistan.

Later as the CDS, he gave unto himself the task expected of him - the 'reforms' in the country's
military set up and strategies.

Maj Gen Ashok Mehta wrote in 'Indian Express' after Rawat's death 
- "Enjoying the confidence of Modi and NSA Doval was Rawat's biggest asset as he spearheaded 
the unprecedented reforms".

A few months in his new role as the CDS, Gen Rawat had submitted a confidential report to the
Defence Ministry and the PMO stating how 'unscrupulous' elements both in Kashmir and northeast 
have been 'manipulative' and had used the issue of militancy/terrorism problem for their own selfish political
ends.

In Nagaland context, as army chief and later the CDS, he shared the then Nagaland Governor R N Ravi's
perspective that 'extortion' was on rise notwithstanding the peace parleys.

Sources say - even after December 4, 2021 misadventure in Nagaland wherein 15 civilians and mostly
poor Naga miners were killed in a bungled military operation; experts and concerned stakeholders are
talking about the 'nefarious nexus' as a menace.

To his army force, Gen Rawat would go down the memory lane as 'soldier's officer'.
highly decorated officer had also defended Maj. Leetul Gogoi over the 'human shield'
episode during a high-risk stone-pelting hit operation in Kashmir.

"It (human shield) is not a general norm. As a practice it is not supported. But situations would dictate.
Under the circumstances he (Major Gogoi) took a decision independently. He can't look back at that
stage and wait for orders," General Rawat had said.

Given the typical mindset of calling spade a spade, he remained unfazed by the so-called media criticism.

Sadly, one Congress politician even had an unpalatable phrase to describe him ---- 'Sadak Ka.......'.

But he would remain a much loved 'hero' for the Hmalayan state of Uttarakhand. 

His village Sainj in Pauri Garhawal region did not have a proper road, and as a true ear-on-ground son,
he had ensured the road could come up. It will come up soon. 

 'Farewell Commander !,Long Live the General. 

ends 

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