Published on December 21, 2009
Jarpum Gamlin
Insurgents of neighbouring States which are active in Arunachal, not just Nagas, must know that Arunachalees can never be induced into any act anti-national. Brief history of 20 years bears testimony to the fact that despite all efforts by vested parties, no insurgency group could take root; forget starting a movement as such. Insurgents in neighbouring States must understand that Arunachalees are geographically and politically with India from day zero and shall remain so. There are no geographical or political goals to achieve, except social and economical objectives to attain. Every Arunachalee would abide by the defined parameters within the Indian Constitution.
Although Tirap and Changlang are no different from rest of Arunachal yet they have become a sign of the times. It is a matter of grave concern that today, practically speaking, these two districts of the state are no-man’s land. Here, Jungleraj prevails since civilian government has no say in most of the issues. Village folks respond and react to diktat of Naga insurgents much quicker than to an order coming from the office of Deputy Commissioner or Superintendent of Police or for that matter even from the Commander of Indian Army posted here. In a way, heavy deployment of State and Central security forces is a mockery of the prevailing internal security. Security personnel’s presence, specifically the Indian Army and their haplessness in protecting the civilian population is a blot in the pride of uniform. With presence of both security personnel and insurgents, Tirap and Changlang are caught between the deep sea and the devil. Locales complain of harassment by security forces in the name of ‘counter insurgency operation’ and in the name of ‘Arm Force Special Power Act’ while insurgents continue to control civilians’ lives.
Recent reports related to nonchalant recruitment drive by NSCN (K) in Tirap district of Arunachal is very significant in the context of power gamplayed by both the factions of NSCN and in the backdrop of signing of ‘covenant of reconcilliation’. Superiority is for them to decide amongst themselves at their own cost, not of Arunachal and Arunachalees. But one wonders as to why the State Government does not prevent such horrendous criminal act when it has definite information of recruitments, its place and timing.Is the government accountable to the people of Arunachal, especially those in Tirap and Changlang? Why is that none of the twelve legislatures from the districts have not uttered even a word about the recruitment drive if not against it? Political establishment of Arunachal must realize that channelizing funds to the districts without an outcome is meaningless and does not entail Arunachal to claim it as its integral part. If government can’t control and manage these two districts as it is happening today, it must let these districts go to Greater Nagalim or else, the State Government must prevent NSCN factions from forcible recruitment of youths without wasting any day.
Peace loving people, on the other hand, expects that peace would prevail in Tirap and Changlang as much as in any part of Nagaland with the signing of ‘Covenant of Reconcilliation’ on September 23, 2009 at Chiang Mai. But disillusioned now and devoid of peace and tranquillity in the districts, people have understood that the two districts were never a part of any discussion at Chiang Mai. Although the districts are often claimed to be part of Greater Nagalim yet with violence continuing there, it is an open secret that the area have been used as a base camp for easy transit to Myanmar. Naga civil society must talk and think about people of the districts irrespective of whether they would form part of Greater Nagalim. After all, it is the Nagas who identify themselves with tribes in Tirap and Changlang more than people of Tirap and Changlang identifying themselves with Nagas.
If at all Nagas are serious in claiming the districts as part of Greater Nagalim, people may like to know their offer to the tribes inhabiting the districts in terms of political representation, economic benefits and social status and let people’s referendum decide. Neither the Government of Arunachal nor of Nagaland should have problem with people’s referendum. Let people decide their fate as much as they are left to fend for themselves today.
Concerned citizens of Arunachal ardently appeal to the governments of Arunachal and Nagaland as much as to the civil society in both the States to help and stop this crime against young children. Even Church leaders of Nagaland, in the name of humanity, must take the lead in uniting the church leaders of both the States and show their efficacy in handling this subject as they did in facilitating Chiang Mai declaration. Till such time, let innocent children grow up naturally with books and pencils in their hands, not guns.
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