India’s North-East like Kashmir is a ticking time-bomb about to explode anytime, as everyone is aware about. ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) like any other terror outfit occasionally, if not frequently triggers bomb explosions killing innocent citizens. Its Chairman Arvind Rajkhowa, who was detained by India govt after he was fished out by Bangladesh authorities was extradited to India as per the extradition treaty signed by India and Sheikh Hasina govt one-two years back while her bête noire Khalida Zia during her term as Prime Minister provided asylum to terror outfits who were operating against India from the soil of Bangladesh, a traditional friend of India. Soon after her taking up the mantle Sheikh Hasina picked up the thread of friendship which was kept in limbo by Khalida Zia govt. As a result of the extradition treaty ULFA Chairman Rajkhowa was handed over to India and came to be detained in jail. The other day he was freed on bail paving the way for a cordial atmosphere for talks between ULFA and the govt. But Rajkhowa’s demands for the release of other ULFA activists from jail and his boasting that it was due to the pressure exerted by the cadre that he was released makes amusing reading.
Besides this, Paresh Barna, the commander in Chief of ULFA is still at large, he is believed to be hiding in a safe haven in Myanmar from where he continues to direct activities of ULFA in Assam. Only after nabbing this man the spadework for engagement between the govt and ULFA would result while he is remaining outside the spectrum a smooth atmosphere is not that feasible. A division in the outfit is a remote possibility.
That much about ULFA. Equally active and dangerous militant outfit is NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland). This outfit too unleash violence on a large-scale dragging the life of people down a dangerous path.
Likewise both Nagaland and Manipur are equally volatile. These two States like Assam demand autonomy and this is the prime reason behind their violent activities. And due to the same reason Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) slapped decades back in the North-East belt and to counter this ie to repeal this Act frequent demands reverberate across North-East. Army has been given a blank cheque to suppress any kind of uprisings, be it violent or non-violent activities. On the strength of the blank cheque given by the govt Army allegedly let loose a reign of terror subjecting all citizens irrespective of their status, for example, innocent citizens - children, youth, women and elders to unbearable torture, killings and imprisonment. This activity of the Army in fact helps to aggravate the situation rather than bringing a peaceful atmosphere. Peoples’ anger intensifies forcing them to adopt a collision course resulting in more blood to be spilt out along the streets of North-East.
Even a non-violent fighter against slapping of AFSPA, Irom Chanu Sharmila is on fast unto death since 2000. Even after ten years the govt has stuck to its stand of not repealing the draconian act. Her health is in fact fastly deteriorating and the govt forcibly admits her to hospital and forcibly feeding her through nostrils to rescue her from the inevitable. Doctors are of the opinion that her vital organ functions are gradually deteriorating. AFSPA is still in force in Manipur how long it will go on like this is anybody’s guess.
Likewise the case of Nagaland Socialist Union led by Issac-Muivah - (NSU (I-M)) - which demands autonomy from India and India govt is bent upon not giving into the demand of the outfit. Since decades Nagas are on the warpath with no solution in sight.
From April 12, 2010 for about 4 months the NH-39 Highway linking Nagaland and Manipur remained blocked by Nagas since the govt of Manipur had not given permission to Muivah to visit his birthplace in Manipur. Due to the blockade many essential commodities as also life saving drugs could not be transported to Manipur resulting in innumerable hardships to Manipur citizens. Comparatively peaceful in the North-East is only Mizoram, that too how long?
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