By BB Sharma
Manipur continues to grapple with the problem of insurgency for the last three decades. It becomes more complicated with the growing trend of factionalism among insurgent outfits. At present there are more than 30 underground outfits. Of these only a few major outfits are declared unlawful by the government. This staggering multiplicity of the underground outfits not only brings untold suffering to the people, but also complicates the initiation of peace process.
Meanwhile, security forces continue their operation in Manipur valley. Army once again launched operation in the Loktak lake, which is still considered a 'safe haven' for militants. According to the Army during the three day long operation which began on 14th January as many as eight militant hideouts located in the Keibul Lamjao National Park were dismantled. The militants had taken undue advantage of the presence of endangered specie, Sangai, in this protected National Park to establish their network of administrative and operational camps. In the said operation one army jawan was killed.
The State Governor, Mr.Gurbachan Jagat in his address to the members of the State Assembly on 13th July 2010 spelt out the various measures undertaken by the government to address the situation. He said, the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements are in place with Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United Peoples' Front (UPF) representing as many as 19 hill-based underground outfits. The Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), constituted under SoO, provides an useful forum to address violation of SoO agreements, resulting in recovery of Rs.4.54 crores fraudulently withdrawn from UBI, Churachandpur Branch. This, according to the Governor, 'is a rare achievement'. For strict enforcement of SoO agreements, 10 designated camps are being constructed for those cadres who are under SoO.
For the first time the government is seriously taking up suspension of operation with a valley based militant group, Kangleipak Communist Party-MC (Lallumba) group on the line of the SoO agreements with hill based militant outfits.
The mass-surrender programme of the outfit is likely to be held some time this year. The Strategic Operation Group (SOG) headed by the State Chief Secretary Mr. D.S. Poonia in its meeting held on 9th January decided to postpone it citing “certain unavoidable circumstances and inability of the cadres to assemble”. This endeavour , however, was not cited by the governor in his address.
But, in his address the Governor called upon the militants 'to abjure violence and lay down arms and hold talks within the framework of the Constitution of India' so that restoration of peace and normalcy can be expedited.
Meanwhile, in a startling development on 21 January 2010 the first ever public exhortation has come from the Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur urging both the government and insurgent groups for a negotiated settlement. In its general body meeting, the society stressed the need to initiate a settlement through political dialogue with the State and non-State actors, by constituting a People's Committee comprising of eminent citizens and public figures to find out ways and means for an amicable solution of the problem. They also urged both sides to come to the negotiating table as it is the only way to find a lasting solution to the vexed insurgency problem.
The peace move of the Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur is widely appreciated, although not very openly, by a cross section of the society. It is the fervent wish of the people that the government should not put any pre-condition, if and whenever the peace talk is held, as in the case of Naga peace talk (1997), and even than the government should do some 'out of the box thinking'.
As yet no response has come either from the government or from the underground outfits to the call given by Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur. However, a public discussion is spot on, leading to the emergence of the much-awaited silver lining in the dark horizon. This brings a ray of hope to the people who have suffered so long due to the continued violence affecting even children's education and normal life.
The changed scenario, coupled with the resurgent spirit seen in the Republic Day celebration (2010), has opened 'a new chapter'. The government must take note of the public mood and strike the iron while it is amber-hot.
This article was published on The Sangai Express