Topic discussed:Insurgency in North-East
The Author of this post wishes anonymity. Big applause for him!
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
described Naxalism as the biggest internal security challenge faced by our
country. Naxalism may or may not be the
biggest challenge, but the tag of “most complex challenge” should perhaps be reserved for insurgency in North-East.
The complexity can be explained through the following
propositions and an attempt to elaborate upon these propositions :-
· It is an externally aided
internal problem which worsened perhaps due to some errors on our part.
·
Due to multiple ethnicities,
different insurgent groups claiming to represent interests of their own
ethnicities have emerged. Negotiations are difficult, as demands of one group
is in contradiction with the demands of the other group. Acceptance of demands
of one community by the Government implies rejection of demand of the other.
·
Multiple insurgent
groups/factions claim to represent interest of a single community. They are
often in conflict with each other more
than they are in conflict with the Government. Successful negotiation with one
is often fruitless, as a new faction/group emerges or the rival faction/group
accuses the negotiating group of comprising the interests of their community.
·
The leadership of most of these
groups realises futility of their “struggle” and insurgency is mostly a tool
for covering up their organised crime activities like drug
trafficking,extortion,illegitimate wealth generation,etc. In this sense, they
are more of organised crime institutions
·
The ceasefires and negotiations
by these groups, may give short periods
of peace but these periods have been utilised by these terrorist groups for
regrouping, strengthening, training. These groups regularly violate ceasefire
rules for this purpose.
This article will focus on the issue of
Naga insurgency and associated problems in Manipur and Assam
Nagas
At the stroke
of the midnight hour, when the whole world was apparently sleeping and India
woke up to life and freedom,little did we realise that some Britishers in
North-East were are already burning midnight oil for creating “Coupland Plan”(better to
be referred as a conspiracy rather than a plan). The aim of the conspiracy was
to create a “Crown Colony”,independent
of both India and Myanmar, in the region. The strategic objective of this
conspiracy was to make the region as a western springboard
against India, China,Myanmar[1]. Although the conspiracy failed, yet it created many groups in the region which
believed in seceding from the Indian Union.
Naga
National Council, under leadership of AZ Phizo, launched a campaign for
secession and conducted a “referendum” claiming that overwhelmingly large
majority of Nagas desire “independence”. The movement resorted to arms in 1955 and established a
parrallel government. The Indian Government adopted a “two-track” policy in
this regard, while encouraging Nagas to integrate with rest of the nation and
granting them rights to protect their identity,culture and offering them a
greater degree of autonomy, it was also made clear that resort to arms will not
be tolerated. The armed rebellion failed in its objectivity and in 1957 Dr. Ao,
a prominent naga leader, entered into negotiations with the Government. Their
demand for greater autonomy was met by formation of State of Nagaland in 1963
and article 371A was added to protect their religious and social
practices,customary laws and procedures(and associated civil and criminal
justice administration) and ownership of land and resources. This led to loss
of popular support to remnants of Naga
secessionist movement.
However, as stated earlier, a rival
faction/group often emerges challenging the agreement and uses the opportunity
to fulfil ambitions of its leaders. Further, Nagas are composed of at least 17
major tribes like Sumi,Angami, Ao, Chang, Mao, lotha ,tangkhul ,zeme,etc.
Many of these tribes have serious conflicts
with one another as well. Thus, despite the negotiations in 1957, insurgency
continued. Dr. Ao was assassinated by rival group in 1961. Pakistan,through the then East
Pakistan,actively supported the movement. China also trained and supported
these groups[2]. The breakup of Pakistan
and formation of Bangladesh made it impossible for Pakistan to support this
movement .In 1975, the major groups accepted Indian Constitution and laid arms
signing Shillong Accord. Again some rival factions rejected the accord and
formed National Socialist Council of Nagaland(NSCN).NSCN subsequently had
subsequently split into NSCN(K),led by Khaplang, and NSCN(IM),led by Isak and
Muivah. These factions have continuously fought violently against one another.
Other factions of NSCN include Khole-kitove ,NSCN(Reform).
NSCN(IM)
entered into ceasefire with the Government in 1997. Since then, the ceasefire
has been extended multiple times. However, the group has been constantly
violating ceasefire rules by engaging in extortion[3] , brandishing arms
freely[4].NSCN(K) and NSCN(KK) also entered into ceasefire but engaged in open
extortion, gun running . Naga civil society has formed Action Committee Against
Unabated Taxation, to resist such extortion by encouraging people to refuse.
These groups are also playing major role
in drug smuggling and fighting between them is often for controlling this
lucrative trade from the infamous “Golden Triangle”[5]. As per the ceasefire agreements, the
insurgents are supposed to remain within designated camps and arms are locked
with two keys (one with the government and the other with rebels), desist from
extortion. However, these groups are violating the rules and using the extorted
funds and time for organisational strengthening[4]. These groups have been
involved in blocking of NH 39, which is an important route to Manipur[10]. Such
blocking has occurred many times causing shortages and hardships in Manipur,
thereby increasing discontent and insecurity there.
In April,ceasefire with 2015 NSCN (Khaplang) was ended. However, one
of the factions of NSCN(K),disturbed
by NSCN(K)'s aggressive motives, has
separated and formed NSCN(Reforms).NSCN(R) has entered into one year ceasefire
with the Indian Government[6]. It appears that NSCN(K) was never serious about
the negotiations and ceasefire was merely used by the group for strengthening
itself. NSCN (K) had become a part of United Front of nine anti-india insurgent
groups four years back. According to some, Chinese intelligence had helped
these groups to come under single umbrella[7]. After ending ceasefire, NSCN(K)
has ambushed 8 soldiers recently[8]. According to some, Khaplang has realised
that its time to back out of India and focus on Myanmar, where the group enjoys
greater leverage and withdrawal from ceasefire is merely an attempt in that
direction[9].
Demands of Greater Nagaland/Nagalim
One
of the major demands of Naga insurgents groups is establishment of
Nagalim/Greater Nagaland ,which will include Naga-inhabited areas of
neighbouring Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and some portions Myanmar(indeed
most of the top leadership of Naga insurgent groups are from outside Nagaland).
Although sovereign Nagalim is an impossibility, even reorganisation of Nagaland
and neighbouring states for this purpose is difficult. For Meitis in Manipur, territorial integrity
of Manipur is of prime concern. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the People’s
Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), the Revolutionary People’s Front
(RPF), United National Liberation Front (UNLF) of Manipur will not accept Naga-inhabited areas of
Manipur going to Nagaland.Any attempts to handover Naga inhabited areas in Manipur
to Nagaland will increase discontent in already troubled state. Similar
sentiments are present in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. There have been many
reports , wherein Nagas insurgents operating in these states have been
undertaking violent actions , which needs to be strictly dealt with. Thus it not only the conflict between Naga
insurgents and centre, but it more than that its a conflict between different
insurgents groups, communities and states of that region.
[2] From Kohima to Kashmir: Chasing
terrorist trail by Prakash Singh
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