Insecurity leads to insurgency problems in NE

Kohima, Nov 4: Mutual distrust, fear of exploitation and insecurity among the ethnic tribes of the conflict-ridden North Eastern states have led to mushrooming of various armed outfits.

Stating this, a Defence release here said of the eight sister states, Arunachal Pradesh is only peaceful. But other states are conflict-ridden despite elected governments.

It said out of the three major states like Asom, Nagaland and Manipur, Asom had been ruled by martial race of Ahoms for almost 600 years. The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is the largest militant organisation in the state.

Formation of the PCG(People's Consultative Group) on September 7, 2005, initiation of peace process between the Union Government and the ULFA and the outfit's pronouncement to exercise restraint in reciprocation of the Army's announcement before 59th Independence Day had sent waves of optimism.

It said, ''Between September 8, 2005, and June, 2006, the outfit has triggered 52 bomb blasts killing at least 41 civilians and injuring another 135.'' In ten days preceding New Delhi's truce announcement, the ULFA had launched several grenade and bomb blasts killing a dozen of people and injuring another 40, it said.

It further said recently Black Widow Group of Dima Halam Daoga (DHD) killed 13 North East Frontier Railway staff in South Assam, besides other damages. Extension of almost a decades-old peace process in Nagaland had been welcomed by the people. This process has led to discernible progress, prosperity and good governance in Nagaland. Although there was peace between security forces and two major groups of NSCN, but still there was no peace, it added.

The release said the presumed aim is increased influence and territorial control, which had led to a large number of inter-factional killings besides collateral killings and injuring innocents, damage and destruction of property and creating tension.

Recent killing of a minor boy Inato Sumi, injuring his aunt in Zunheboto, killing of Shimmie Shinuisuis, a Tangkhul youth and a police official Hovizol in Kohima are few examples.

The state of Manipur has almost two dozen outfits irrespective of the size. UNLF, PREPAK, KYKL, Kuki outfits are some of the organisations. All these outfits, extortion for wealth gains; inter-factional clashes or clashes with the Security Forces aimed at either retaining control or influence over a small territory.

Killing of minor Suryakanta Singh, Meira Paibi leader T. Menaka Devi. Issue of diktat to Naoram Basanta of Kakching by UNLF and extortion note to a Cabinet Minister by KYKL are some of the recent examples.

These whimsical and violent actions cause direct as well as collateral damage. Point to not, that every group claims to fight for its own identity either in the form of demanding sovereignty or statehood.

The release said violence is wide ranging, which include intimidation, extortion, killing, destruction and it needs to be understood in its physical and psychological nature.

Physical effects of violence are killings and destruction of property and psychological effects is trauma and stress disorder called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it said.

''Some of the physical effects can be restored at a cost, time and effort, but loss of life cannot be. PTSD affects infants, young and old alike with varying degrees.

It further said We need to ponder over certain issues like what cause are we fighting for? Is the cause affecting only few with vested interests or the society at large? The region is yet to find answer to these questions.

However, there seems to be a silver streak on the horizon when 809 BRU militant have laid down arms to join the main stream besides Kuki outfits singning Geneva Accord not to use Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and hoped that more will follow the suit.

UNI