Nagalim.NL News

Home » Archives » February 2009 » Chairman SS Khaplang’s 29th NSCN Raising day speech morungexpress

[Previous entry: "Isak says Dialogue, not Might, for Solution morungexpress"] [Next entry: "Nagas rally for peace as Shiroi siege ends morungexpress Naga women rally at Mao Gate"]

02/02/2009: "Chairman SS Khaplang’s 29th NSCN Raising day speech morungexpress"


Chairman SS Khaplang’s 29th NSCN Raising day speech morungexpress

At the very outset, I convey my warmest greetings to all Naga brethren in Naga homeland and beyond on the occasion of the 29th foundation day of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). I thank our Heavenly Father for his mercy and deliverance.
It was on 31st January 1980 that Naga patriots rose from the depths of political despair and confusion to give new meaning and direction to the Naga political struggle through the formation of the NSCN. We as a people retained our pride, honor and aspired hope for the future. A great political milestone was laid on this day. As we celebrate this historic day, we owe so much to thousands of patriotic men and women who upheld the great promise and vision of the Nagas. This day marked the rebirth of our National revolution. I salute all the Naga revolutionaries who are no more with us yet who continue to inspire thousands of new generation Nagas. The pursuit of our rightful place among the Nations and peoples shall be our unflinching goal.
On closer observation of Naga history in the last 29 years, the struggle is not only against external forces but more amongst the Nagas. Sadly, a period of suppression and merciless treatment of Nagas by fellow Nagas based on tribal lines obliterated our common vision. Discontentment and aversion permeated into the Naga political institution. Fear psychosis gripped the ranks and files of NSCN during the late eighties. Inconsistency in national policy diluted our struggle. We as National leaders failed to stem the rot and differences of opinion gave way to suspicion, discontentment, hatred and finally further bloody division within the Naga family. This has been the greatest misery and nemesis of the Nagas.
Allow me to be frank enough with my Naga comrades: Isak Chishi Swu, Gen. Kholie, Th. Muivah, Khodao Yanthan, I and other contemporaries have attained the age of seventy years or more. Shall we not learn from years of unrewarding internal conflict? Infighting only devalues the political right of the Nagas. GPRN/NSCN is well prepared with thousands of patriots ready to defend the Naga people’s aspiration against all odds yet we realize that nothing is for us by indulging in internal bickering. Only ultimate defeat awaits the Nagas in the broader spectrum. “Nagaland for Christ” should exist not only on Govt. letter heads and seals. It should rule our hearts and deeds as well.
Today the greatest question before the Nagas is: Are we prepared to seek a common future for the sake of our children or continue to hunt each other with vengeful hearts? The responsibility for tragic episodes in Naga history must be equally shared by all leaders. No one is blameless. God alone is our judge. Justification is poor statesmanship at this hour because thousands of witnesses could still recount the horrors endured. Let us not issue paper proclamations and declarations urging peace while we continue to live with uncompromising hearts. We must reconcile first with our own hearts and extend the same to others. A single reconciliatory action is worth a hundred paper proclamations for peace. I urge my fellow Naga leaders not to stamp our pages with contempt, hatred and vengeful inclinations towards our fellow brothers. We must leave a legacy that is free of political domination and suppression from within or outside. What future Nagas inherit from us tomorrow is more important than what we do to destroy each other today.
In my years of humble service towards the Naga Nation, I have learnt a hard lesson that violence and confrontational activities among the Nagas bears no seed for solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem. A feuding Naga family only pushes itself to self destruction. We can never survive the onslaught of our adversaries. Naga people must also learn how to appreciate pro-people actions. The 22nd Nov. 2007 initiative of all Naga unification by the Nagas has been fiercely condemned and criticized in the vilest manner by a certain section yet even the greatest political opponent must agree that the effort has rekindled the hope and vision of entire Naga people towards seeking a common future. I appreciate the brave effort of Kilo Kilonser Azheto Chophi and other respected leaders, Civil Societies, Churches, Intellectuals and NGO’s who stood up to the challenge of bringing the Nagas together under one umbrella. With experience being our guide, unless the Indo-Naga issue is addressed with the participation and consensus of all the concerned Nagas, no honorable political settlement can be achieved. The path to a lasting solution can be realized only when the Nagas agree to come together in letter and spirit and concertedly expedite honorable and acceptable solution.
I appeal to the representatives of the entire Naga family; the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), the Naga Hoho and its federating Hohos, DB’s & GB’s Forum, ENPO, NSF, NPMHR, NMA, Churches and other Naga NGO’s & Civil Societies to continue the noble work of restoring peace, reconciliation and unity in the land of the Nagas, so that we share a secure and respectable future.
KUKNALIM!
Chairman S.S Khaplang
Security cloak for tea bandh
- Deployment increased in Sivasagar and neighbouring districts to contain trouble OUR CORRESPONDENT


Senior police officials talk to the family of Bishnu Tanti at Tingalibam on Sunday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Dibrugarh, Feb. 1: Security forces are fortifying Sivasagar and its neighbouring districts to pre-empt any attempt by the tea labour community to cut off the district’s road links during tomorrow’s 12-hour bandh to protest the killing of a physically challenged teenager in an “encounter” on Thursday.
Army personnel hunting for Ulfa rebels after a botched encounter killed 18-year-old Bishnu Tanti at the Tingalibam tea estate under Sonari police station of the district.
The tea community erupted in anger and grief and within a day of the “encounter” the All Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (ATTSA) and the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam called the 12-hour Sivasagar bandh.
Police officials today said all efforts are being made to ensure that there was no trouble during the bandh.
Special attention is being paid to National Highway 37 passing through the district as a blockade would cut off most parts of Upper Assam from the rest of the state.
The bandh will begin from 6am and the two organisations have sought complete co-operation from the people.
“We appeal to all to co-operate with us during the bandh since we can no longer remain a mute spectator to such an act of gross human rights violation by the army. Of course, we have exempted all essential services like medical facilities, supply of drinking water and milk and fire services from the purview of the bandh,” the president of the Sonari regional unit of the ATTSA, Shyamal Nayak, said.
He said even though the government has assured the residents of an inquiry into the killing, there is no question of going back on the agitation.
Bishnu Koya, the general secretary of the Sivasagar district unit of ATTSA, said the organisation would intensify its agitation and may even consider a boycott of polls by the tea community during the ensuing parliamentary elections.
In a bid to pacify the tea community, Union minister of state for chemicals Bijoy Krishna Handique, who represents the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency, and Sonari MLA Sarat Borkotoky, who is also the deputy chairman of the State Planning Commission, visited Tanti’s residence last evening and expressed their condolences.
Handique also promised a high-level inquiry into the incident and proper compensation for the family of the victim.
The president of the Sivasagar district Congress Committee, Tulshi Gogoi, was part of the delegation.
“We know that elections are round the corner and the political parties will try to score points by making tall promises. But we warn all political leaders and their respective parties that we will begin a very aggressive agitation if Tanti’s killers are not identified and handed strict and exemplary punishment,” Koya said.
The additional director-general of police, Ramesh Chandra Tayal, today visited Tingalibam, along with deputy inspector-general of police (eastern range) L.R. Bisnoi and Sivasagar superintendent of police Shyamal Prasad Saikia and took stock of the situation.
The senior police officials visited the home of constable Debojit Borgohain, who was killed by Ulfa militants on Thursday, and assured the family of government assistance.
They also went to Tanti’s family and assured them of an inquiry.
Later speaking to reporters at Sonari police station, Tayal said the number of security forces would be increased in Sivasagar district keeping in mind the rise in militant activities.
“The situation in neighbouring Dibrugarh and Tinsukia had comparatively improved after the unilateral ceasefire by the Alpha and Charlie companies of the 28 battalion of the outfit. However, it has been noticed that militant activities have increased in Sivasagar district. This is why it had been decided to increase the number of security forces in the entire district. We will go hard against Ulfa,” Tayal said.
The additional DGP said “militants sneaking into neighbouring Nagaland after carrying out acts of terror had become a matter of concern and it had been taken up with the state government in Nagaland”.
“We have been assured co-operation from their (Nagaland) end and we do hope to conduct some intensive flush-out operations very soon,” Tayal added.
Tangkhul coordinating committee on Shirui Siege
PRESS RELEASE
31st January 2009

The siege of Shirui village by the Assam Rifles has entered its 13th day. In the continued wake of the siege, the human rights of many individuals, recognized and affirmed through international treaties and conventions to which India is a signatory, have been infringed and violated.

A medical team deputed by the Deputy Commissioner to examine the physical condition of Shirui villagers was refused access outright by the Assam Rifles. India is a party to the Geneva Convention which stipulates clearly that medical care and facilities has to be provided to all. At the same time, the Committee acknowledges the efforts, albeit late, of the district administration in this regard.

Committee members witness Assam Rifles personnel using the main drinking water tank for washing their clothes and utensils. The same tank is a supply point for all the drinking water in Ukhrul town and neighboring villages. Such unhygienic practice, besides being a serious matter of health concerns, violates the right to safe drinking, and should be stopped outright. Committee members also saw that the water line to the NSCN camp is shared by many villagers who live below the campsite. The cutting of the pipeline, besides depriving the NSCN cadres to drinking water which is against all principles of civilized behavior, violates the rights of the villagers who depend on the pipeline.

There are reports of widespread manipulation of information from the Assam Rifles. While the freedom of the press has been curtailed by the Assam Rifles through their denial of access to the site to several pressmen, the Assam Rifles, through their PRO, have used the siege to present a clean image of themselves. Committee members saw that the Assam Rifles are documenting their activities selectively while not allowing others to do the same. This is in violation of all known ideals of the exercise of free expression and the freedom of the press. If the Assam Rifles have nothing to hide, the Committee challenges the Assam Rifles to allow pressmen and others to have access to the site so that an unbiased story can be told. The denial of basic human rights to inmates of NSCN camp is highly barbaric and unjust in nature. How can one survive without food and water? The media propaganda by Assam Rifles in providing food and other amenities to the inmates of NSCN camp is just an eyewash while in reality their suffering is increasing day by day. How long can they continue to exercise restrain and patience?

The Committee acknowledges the commendable role of the women who have been keeping a vigil at the site. Without their restraining presence, the likelihood of an armed confrontation between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN is very high. The Committee members would also like to thank all those who have taken initiatives in resolving the siege, especially civil societies and communities from other parts of Manipur and Nagaland who have visited the site and given moral boost to all those who have been working for a peaceful resolution of the siege.

The Committee commends the restrain shown by all parties in maintaining and following the ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN. The Committee urges the DIG, 17 Assam Rifles and the CAO, Wung Tangkhul Region to continue exercising the same restrain and that they should do everything within their power to resolve the issue immediately through peaceful means.

At the same time, the Committee would like to point out that the siege of Shirui has entered its 13th day. In such a situation, the chances of human error in judgment can be quite high. Further, the problems faced by the villagers presently and which they will face in the future is escalating. The Committee fixes the responsibility of any hardships faced by the villagers on the government solely. The Committee further states that in the eventuality of the siege spiraling out of control, the Committee will hold the government responsible and that any adverse reaction from the public will be held against the government.

Media and Documentation Wing,
Coordination Committee on Shirui Siege
tccoss@gmail.com
Rallies to protest Siroy siege
OUR CORRESPONDENT


An Assam Rifles jawan hands over food packets to an NSCN-IM cadre at Siroy on Sunday. A Telegraph picture
Imphal, Feb. 1: Nagas will take out simultaneous rallies in Chandel, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel districts of Manipur tomorrow to mount pressure on the Assam Rifles to vacate Siroy, as the siege of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) camp continued for the 14th day today.
“The situation is still tense. We discussed the plight of the villagers with the leaders of the Siroy Non-Violence Committee here in the district headquarters today. The troops still have the NSCN (I-M) camp surrounded,” Artex Shimray, spokesman for the Tangkhul Co-ordination Committee on Siroy Siege, said over phone.
Naga civil society organisations, including women’s unions, have formed the co-ordination committee.
“We are taking out a processino in support of the demand for an immediate end to the siege of Siroy so that normality can be restored in the village,” Shimray said.
After tomorrow’s processions, Naga organisations, including students and human rights groups, will hold another in New Delhi on Monday to highlight the sufferings of the people of Siroy and its neighbouring villages.
The rally will mark an intensification of the Naga organisations’ protest.
The co-ordinating committee and the Siroy committee also decided to continue the vigil by the women near the NSCN (I-M) camp to prevent a clash between the troops and the rebels for another week.
“The villagers are facing difficult times. The vigil will continue and so will the sit-in at Ukhrul,” Shimray added.
The Assam Rifles also confirmed that there was no change in the situation.
It provided food and water to the cadres yesterday and reiterated its demand that the cadres should vacate the camp and go to a designated one.
It could not be confirmed whether the troops continued to give humanitarian aid to the cadres today.
Shimray said the troops were “duty bound” to provide food and water to the cadres.
“Snapping off food and water supply is illegal,” he said.
The troops had cut off water and power supplies to the rebel camp on the first day of the siege. Shimray, however, slammed the troops for not allowing a medical team to enter the NSCN (I-M) camp to examine the cadres yesterday.
The team was sent by the district administration. However, the troops sent back the team to the district headquarters.
Knock on PC door for peace talks
A STAFF REPORTER
Guwahati, Feb. 1: The People’s Committee for Peace Initiatives in Assam (PCPIA), a conglomerate of 28 organisations, has decided to knock on the doors of Union home minister P. Chidambaram to take the ongoing peace initiatives with the militant groups to a logical end. The chief co-ordinator of the PCPIA — the pressure group mobilising public opinion for a solution to the problem of militancy in Assam — Dilip Patgiri said the objective of moving Chidambaram was to ensure that his vision was not “blurred” by the terror attacks in Mumbai and Guwahati.
“He should know the truth that the people of the state want peace and solution to the problems pertaining to militancy through constructive and committed dialogue.
“We are also against terror but these attacks should not derail the peace process already under way. There cannot be a military solution to political problems. We want that peace talks with the NDFB, DHD and the other groups in ceasefire should be taken to its logical conclusion,” Patgiri said.
“The government should also respond to the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) and also initiate talks with Ulfa in the greater interest of the masses. If things are allowed to drift, then it will only compound the problems of the common man. We will also appeal to the militant outfits to come forward for talks.”
The PCPIA’s decision assumes significance because it will apprise Chidambaram of the concerns voiced at a two-day conclave of the Intimate Dialogue of Indigenous Communities of Assam that ended at Diphu on Saturday. The PCPIA-organised conclave resolved that dialogue was the only way out to get rid of militancy as it was a political problem.
The pressure group that has been lying low after the state government started talking tough following the terror attacks in October, will be moving Chidambaram this week in the hope of conveying the “non-government” side of the developments vis-ŕ-vis militancy and help the Centre take decisions that will help resolve issues instead of further complicating matters. Lachit Bordoloi, the other chief co-ordinator of the PCPIA, said that representatives of 26 organisations, including those from the Dimasa, Tiwa, Moran , Kuki, Muttack, Chutia, Karbi and tea garden communities attended the conclave. The PCPIA’s move, those following its activities said, was aimed at drawing Chidambaram’s attention to the failed dialogue between the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) and the Centre.
Northeast Echoes PATRICIA MUKHIM
Rule violators to be strongly dealt with Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Feb 1 – Though the Government has extended the term of the ceasefire agreement with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) for a period of six months with effect from January 1, the police and security forces have been directed to take strict action against any member of the outfit found to be violating the ground rules of the agreement. Highly placed police sources told The Assam Tribune that any member of the NDFB found outside of the designated camps would face action. As per the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement, all the members of the outfit must stay in the designated camps and “any member found to be outside the camps without permission would be dealt with strongly.”

The division in the ranks of the NDFB also created confusion among the security forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Assam and it will be difficult for the police and security forces to identify who is from the Ranjan Daimary camp and who is from the pro-talk group. The only way out is to deal strongly with any member of the outfit found outside the designated camps, sources pointed out. It may be mentioned here that the general assembly of the NDFB has already removed Ranjan Daimary from the post of chairman of the outfit, but the ousted chairman claimed that he is still the leader of the NDFB.

Police sources said that Ranjan Daimary is still living in Bangladesh and in fact he did not visit India even for a single occasion after the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the NDFB and the Government in 2005. Ranjan also has some close followers with him in Bangladesh and the exact number of cadres in the neighbouring country is yet to be ascertained. Police believes that few of the NDFB cadres allegedly involved in the serial blasts in different parts of Assam on October 30 last year have also crossed over to Bangladesh, while, it is a well established fact that there are followers of Ranjan in the designated camps.

The security forces have also come across evidence of the NDFB going for fresh recruitments even after the signing of the ceasefire agreement. Sources said that a few batches of new recruits were trained up in a camp of the NDFB in the Khagrachari area of Bangladesh and the fact came to light after the arrest of a senior cadre in Meghalaya. It is still not known whether the new recruits are still in Bangladesh or they are at large in Assam, sources added.

It may be mentioned here that the State Government and the security forces were against the idea of extending the term of the ceasefire agreement after the involvement of members of the outfit in the serial blasts was proved. But the decision to extend the term of the agreement was taken at the political level and the primary reason might be the fact that the Centre has already taken a decision to go all out against the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and was not keen on adding a new problem at this moment.
Joy blasts Govt over ‘designated camps’ By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Feb 1 : Rapping the Government on the knuckles over the reported presence of ‘designated camps’ of the NSCN (IM), in three hill districts of Manipur for the past three years, MPP legislative wing leader, O Joy today questioned what the respective DCs, SPs and the State Government have been doing all these years.
The days of turmoil when Manipur literally burned when the Bangkok Declaration with the phrase ‘Without territorial limits’ was announced should not be forgotten, said Joy.
Addressing the gathering during the one day political conference of the MPP at Chalou Lamlai bazar today, Joy said that the ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is enforced only in Nagaland. As such there is no ground under which the NSCN (IM) can set up three designated camps in three hill districts of Manipur, said Joy.
For three years the designated camp at Siroy has been in existence, said Joy and questioned what the DC, SP and the State Government have been doing all these years. The camp is an overt attempt to compromise with the territorial integrity of Manipur, he added.
What is stopping the Government from initiating tough action, asked Joy and added that the mute stand of the Congress led SPF Government has sown the seeds of doubt that the party (Congress) is not committed to implementing its announcement in the election manifesto that the boundaries of the North East States will not be redrawn.
After the British left, Manipur regained her status as an independent entity but after it merged with the Indian Union, it has been reduced to the status of a beggar, thundered Joy.
Taking further pot shots at the Congress led Government, Joy said that prices of essential commodities have escalated, there is no job avenue and in such a scenario it is only the MPP which can save the State as the MPP has been set up keeping in mind the political climate of Manipur.
The politics of India cannot save Manipur, said Joy and added that MPP will never bow to politicians from outside the State. MPP wants to ensure a Manipur where the people can live without depending on Delhi and where the heritage handed down by the fore fathers is respected.
The Congress MP from Inner Manipur Dr T Meinya maintained a stoic silence when Outer MP Mani Charenamei announced in Parliament that he was voting for the Congress during the trust vote, because the Government had agreed to redraw the maps of North East States, is ample proof that Meinya was scared of what the Congress high command may say if he opened his mouth, charged Joy.
The MPP leader also questioned the gathering whether they would want to elect a man who cannot speak out his mind for the interest of the State in Parliament.
If Manipur is to be saved and redeemed then the people need to forge a united stand coupled with the commitment to sacrifice everything for the cause of the land, exhorted Joy.
The MPP is working relentlessly towards this direction, declared Joy and urged the gathering to support the MPP candidate during the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
MPP MLA Dr Ng Bijoy talked on the need to focus on health, education, finance, road connectivity etc to realise a new Manipur.
MPP president Dr L Chandramani and Prof N Mohendro also addressed the gathering.
Ukl village takes up onus of developing border road By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
SKIPE (Ukhrul), Feb 1: Skipe is a small village of just 19 households located along the Indo-Myanmar International boundary in between border pillar no. 95 and 96 in Kamjong sub-division of Ukhrul district. Yet the people of this tiny hamlet have taken up the onus of developing the road in the border area to improve their lot along with embracing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) wholeheartedly.
A flagship programme of the UPA Government at the Centre, NREGS was launched in this tiny hamlet situated at a distance of around 40 kms from Kamjong Sub-Divisional headquarters in September last year. The implementation of the scheme began along with issuing job cards to 19 villagers out of the total population 107 people in the village.
The only existing village road had been developed last year under the Border Area Development Programme with the villagers handing over the task of jungle cutting to the timber traders.
An interesting aspect of the village that The Sangai Express came across during a recent tour of the villages on the Manipur side of the Indo-Myanmar border is that hectic activities were on under NREGS to extend the road upto the to border point which is just short of a few kilometres from the village.
The villagers felt that the extension of the road upto Myanmar would be the solution to the present state of undervelopment in the village.
According to chief of the village C Jingsongam, for the first phase of implementing the scheme, the job card holders of the village have been sanctioned 30 days of work so far but the material component is yet to be received.
With the exception of Mango and Tamarind, the village has no products worth mentioning.
Nonetheless people of the neighbouring villages in Myanmar like Phailen, Tanan and Minta have been coming to Skipe or to other neighbouring villages passing through Skipe for purchasing Kerosene, Sugar and Salt while bringing Buffalos, Ping, Rice, fishes, etc for sale.
On the necessity for development and extension of the village road, the villagers informed that their daily household requirements specially rice is being bought from Minta village in Myanmar after walking on foot and from Minta there is transport service upto Moreh. So development and extension of the road is essential.
The villagers expressed happiness that the development of the road is going to be materialised under NREGS atleast this time, even though the successive State Governments had not paid any attention to this regard for the last many years. Once the road is developed, they hoped that it would be a boon not only for the timber trade which is striving in the area but also other economic activities.
It was learnt that the people of Skipe have been maintaining cordial relationship not only with the people of the neighbouring villages of Myanmar but also with Army and Police personnel who are posted in the area. They participated together in social gathering and other festivities in the spirit of camaraderie.
The location of Skipe is positioned almost at the same level of Kabow valley and it boosts of rich forests of Teak, Khangra and other timbers. However, rice has been the only essential commodity that the village has been acutely short of..
It is said that Skipe village has been closely asso- ciated with Jananeta Hijam Irabot. While Irabot was in hiding at Kabow, he used to come down to the village and played volleyball with the villagers who still fondly remembered the departed leader.
During the course of the tour, the success of the NREGS had also been noticed in other border villa- ges of Churachandpur, Chandel and Ukhrul district thus giving a new hope to the people.


A group of detained Bangladeshis at Khanamukh in Assam. Picture by Eastern Projections
Assam faces a peculiar problem. It is perhaps the only state that has not issued the electoral photo identity card on the plea that foreigners, illegal migrants and Bangladeshi nationals must first be eliminated out of the electoral roll. Groups like the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) had demanded that the cut-off date for determining the citizenship of a particular person should be 1952.
In the 1980s, the AASU launched a protracted struggle on the issue of detection and deportation of Bangladeshi migrants. The Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) rode to power on this issue but failed to carry out the mandate given to it by the people.
Writing in 2005, Chittaranjan Mishra, a specialist on Southeast Asian affairs said an estimate by a former governor of Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal holds that about five million illegal migrants from Bangladesh are settled in Assam. That number at the time constituted more than a quarter of Assam’s population.
The home ministry and the Intelligence Bureau claimed that the population of illegal migrants at the time was four million. If we go by the figure of five million in 2005, then the number would have gone up significantly by now.
Even today the BSF apprehends one or two persons who try to cross over from Bangladesh to the Garo Hills of Meghalaya. The number of those crossing over to Assam would definitely be higher since crossing is easier.
Lack of data
But the major problem lies with the inaccuracy of the figures since there does not seem to be any reliable study by any group, which clearly establishes the number of illegal migrants in each district and the date of their entry into Indian soil.
Sanjoy Hazarika in his book, Rites of Passage, talks of the smooth entry and exit of Bangladeshis from any of the several porous borders between Bangladesh and Assam. If the influx issue is itself in a state of flux it would require a sustained observation by a group of researchers to really understand the problem and to correctly assess the number of Bangladeshis present in Assam. But here, too, one foresees a problem. Anyone who has resided for more than 12 years in any place is given the status of a permanent resident. At least, that is the practice in Meghalaya.
If the claim that there are five million Bangladeshis in Assam in 2005 is accurate, then what is their present status? Are they still Bangladeshis? How can someone who has got his or her name enrolled in the voters’ list be called a foreigner? And is that not the reason why the Bangladeshi is an “attractive” voter?
Vote bank
The presumption of all political parties is that these voters vote en-bloc for a party that promises to safeguard their political and economic interests. At the moment all those accused of being illegal migrants might even be having ration cards and even the NREGS job cards which make them valid citizens of India. If so, then exactly how many illegal migrants are without the requisite papers? Why is the idea of detecting and deporting these illegal migrants not so popular with some political parties and politicians?
The imperative to issue a multi-purpose identity card to every citizen based on a National Register of Citizens cannot be over-emphasised. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had initiated the process of issuing such a card, which would be used for exercising voting rights, obtaining ration cards and other facilities, instead of being only an elector’s identity card. The NDA never suggested a cut-off year. This is a contentious issue for the civil society of Assam. Without a cut-off year the five or four lakh or more Bangladeshis will be assumed to be Indian citizens unless they are unable to produce necessary papers. Yet, the very fact that papers can be acquired with relative ease and their entry backdated by a decade or more, makes the whole process a convoluted one. Vote bank politics is indeed the enemy of this crucial process.
The issue of illegal migrants is an emotive one for every true-blue Asomiya. Reams have been written by leading columnists like D.N. Bezbaruah, that Assam’s demographic profile will soon resemble Bangladesh. Every seminar worth its salt labours this point. Yet, the solution seems nowhere in sight.
The demographic pattern of Assam has changed dramatically in several districts especially in lower Assam. There is a report by the group of ministers in the Government of India, which states that Bangladeshi migrants could influence the results of elections in as many as 32 constituencies in Assam.
Alien majority
The popular refrain is that the indigenous people of Assam will be reduced to a minority. Yet, the same people continue to elect the Congress to power despite the party’s staunch posturing against the detection and deportation of migrants.
Assam is not the only state whose demography is soon to be replaced by an alien face. Tripura with its chequered history of East Bengali Hindu influx encouraged by the Maharajah of Tripura, an indigenous Kokborok, now finds the indigenous tribes completely decimated.
The Tripura example is cited by all other tribes but more so by the Khasis. The Khasi Students’ Union spearheaded a movement in 1979 aimed at chasing out illegal migrants but the movement turned into an ugly communal riot where Bengalis of all shades, including those legally settled in Meghalaya for decades, were targeted and had to leave their hearths and homes overnight. Several elections have been fought and won on the issue of illegal influx in Meghalaya.
The same Asomiya civil society that clamour for action against illegal migrants has not so far come up with any kind of a workable shadow proposal for consideration by the government of the day. After all civil society needs to do more than shout and curse. It has to engage the government; to put it on the mat in case of non-performance and to doggedly pursue its agenda of setting things right. Merely repeating the rhetoric that “Assam will one day become Bangladesh,” could, as someone rightly said, become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The Lok Sabha elections are just round the corner and this issue will once again dominate the political agenda. But believe it or not the people who vote with their feet will carry the day while those who vote with their hearts will lose the battle yet again.
(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com)


News: Main Page
News: Archives
Nagalim: Home

Powered By Greymatter