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10/02/2009: "An aimless fight Dawn website By Kuldip Nayar"

An aimless fight Dawn website By Kuldip Nayar


When the police increases manifold, the question is: does the increase reflect a failure of political will or a helpless dependence on force? –Photo by AP
Even after 62 years of independence, democratic India is in the midst of at least five internal mini-wars. The main ones in Nagaland and Kashmir have been there since the dawn of freedom.
The armed struggle by the extreme left Naxalites (Maoists) and the secession movement of the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) are three decades’ old. The trouble in the northeast, particularly in Manipur, goes back to the 1980s.
While these wars may not threaten the country’s integrity, they are nevertheless a drain on India’s economy. Their worst fallout is the lessening of liberalism which is India’s proud possession.
When the police increases manifold, the question is: does the increase reflect a failure of political will or a helpless dependence on force? In the land of Mahatma Gandhi, this point is indeed relevant because people all over the world are watching how the country is measuring up to moral standards while dealing with uprisings.
Whatever the why or how of mini-wars it is clear that the problems have been allowed to pile up, with the expectation that the passage of time would solve them. Yet today when these challenges pose a danger, the sword is being unsheathed to tackle them. The government knows no other way.
The Manmohan Singh regime may have inherited these problems. But the Congress which has ruled the country for more than five decades is most to blame for allowing different situations to prevail because the party has been opting for the status quo. What is required is vision and sagacity over brute force and a sense of self-righteousness.
Unfortunately, New Delhi has come to believe that power alone can solve all prickly problems. The result is that the administration in the country has developed authoritarian methods. More and more policemen are being recruited and even action by the commando force is being contemplated. Stringent laws are being added to an armoury of harsh measures. There is less hesitation to use even the military.
It is an aimless fight since the genesis of problems has not been understood. Top army officials have told the government many a time that the solution is political, not military. Yet the government continues to follow the same old formula of force and more force. The government has to have a different, more humane approach.
This does not suggest that those who indulge in violence or organise a rebellion against the state should go unpunished. In fact, the atrocities committed by them are unpardonable. But these elements should not force us, wittingly or unwittingly, to create conditions which restrict the space an ordinary person occupies or violate the spirit of the constitution.
Both the security forces and the so-called liberators are reducing India to a banana republic. People are picked up on suspicion or killed in false encounters. The government resents interference when human rights activists or intellectuals take up a case.
When there is a proliferation of policemen to serve the whims of rulers and when the administration itself comes to believe that force would solve the problem, excesses are natural.
This is precisely what happened during the emergency (1975-77). The police became an instrument of tyranny and carried out orders which were illegal, unconstitutional and inhuman. Yet none of the perpetrators was punished. Today the rulers and security forces are behaving in the same way as if they are not accountable. At that time we lost the sensitivity to differentiate between right and wrong and, today, between the moral and immoral.
The state has powers to declare a place a ‘disturbed area’. By doing so, the government gives untrammelled powers to the security forces. They become a law unto themselves and bring ‘order’ according to their own methods.
How one of the mini-wars involving the Maoists is sought to be fought was detailed by Home Minister P. Chidambaram before the Editors’ Guild India a few days ago. The Maoists reportedly control some 2,000 police stations out of 14,000 in the country and there are many districts where the government’s writ does not run. If development is the way to stop the Maoists’ appeal to the people in backward areas, Chidambaram explained, the territory had to be taken back to enable the government to build roads, schools and health centres.
No NGO or intellectual is opposed to the government taking police action to retrieve the territory under the Maoists. There cannot be a state within a state. Yet one would like to know why the government did not make development efforts when the territory was under it. The Maoists’ sway is the consequence, not the cause. Lately, sympathy and support extended to the Maoists have lessened because they are killing the innocent.
Chidambaram’s presentation would have carried more weight if he had listed the steps his ministry had taken to ease the rigours of preventive and other laws. The Armed Forces (Preventive) Act which has given the security forces the authority to shoot a person on mere suspicion is too arbitrary and should be amended forthwith. The ministry would win laurels if it were to bring about legislation to make it obligatory to have a judicial inquiry after every ‘fake’ encounter.
If the report that the government may strafe the Maoists’ stranglehold by the planes is correct, it would be the height of folly. The entire population in the area would be alienated. Pakistan resorted to bombardment in certain areas of its territory. It only stoked the fires of revolt. Violence is bad per se. It does not provide any solution. What really matters is the people’s support won through the ballot box.
The writer is a leading journalist based in Delhi.
‘Seniors are custodians of our customary laws and practices’
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DIPR


Senior citizens of Kohima are accompanied by young children as they participate in a walkathon to mark the International Day for Older Persons on Thursday, October 1. The walkathon was earlier flagged off by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the Old MLA Hostel junction. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, October 1 (DIPR): The department of Social Welfare along with the Nagaland Senior Citizens’ Forum organised the state-level International Day for Older Persons here on October 1. A walkathon from Old MLA Hostel Junction to the Red Cross Office junction was taken out to mark the Day and had Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as the chief guest. Before flagging off the walkathon, Rio thanked the department of Social Welfare and the Nagaland Senior Citizens’ Forum for organising such events and creating awareness amongst the people to care and respect the older citizens of the society. He called upon educated and younger generations to help and educate the older citizens to advise how to maintain good diet.
State pays honour to older citizensolder
The Chief Minister added that in advanced countries, people are much aware of what diet they need to stick to for a longer and sustainable life, but that Nagas are carefree in their food habits and lifestyle which is one of the main reasons that shorten our lives. Rio also advised the people and institutions that take care of the elders to be aware of what kind of food and care is good to maintain a healthy life.
Parliamentary Secretary for social welfare, child & women development, Chotisuh Sazo said that the International Day of Older Persons, observed on October 1 around the world, provides us an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution, wisdom, dignity and needs of senior citizens and to rededicate ourselves to their well-being. He informed that two separate old age pension schemes, the State Old Pension and the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, have recently been merged into a single scheme of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.
Stating that the government has been making efforts to provide welfare measures to the needy senior citizens despite fund constraints, the Parliamentary Secretary sought public opinion and participation for creating awareness for the welfare of the needy senior citizens. He congratulated Dr. (Miss) K K Angami and Kiremwati for being chosen for the distinguished Senior Citizens Award.
President of the Nagaland Senior Citizen Forum, Kohima, H Hesso, speaking on the theme ‘The role and responsibility of seniors’ said that in Naga Society, particularly as in all other societies, the elders are held in high esteem, honoured and respected, hence they play a part as role models in all respects. He further said that they are mature, seasoned and experienced with vast knowledge and wisdom that one can learn from them the use of our traditional instruments, folksongs, lore, dances and attires. He also mentioned that they are the custodians of customary laws and practices.
Some highlights of the programme, chaired by Secretary for Social Welfare, Neihu C Thur, included presentation of special songs by the Christian Revival Mission Youths and True Vine and Sumi Baptist Church, and presentation of awards by chairman of Nagaland Khadi and Village Industry Board, Dr. Nicky Kire. Short speeches were delivered by Parliamentary Secretary for industries & commerce, Dr. Nihoshe, Parliamentary Secretary for housing, T Saku Aier, and by Dr. Nicky Kire.
Walkathon, free health checks for senior citizens mark Day
Mon: Along with the rest of the country Mon district celebrated the Day at a function held here at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall, and had Deputy Commissioner for Mon, Dinesh Kumar, as the chief guest. The programme was jointly organised by the department of Social Welfare and the district administration in Mon.
Addressing those gathered, the DC made an appeal to the senior citizens of Mon district to keep on sharing their past experiences with the present society for the welfare of the present community of the district. Ellen Konyak and Rev. Y Chingang Konyak were awarded the district-level senior citizen award by the chief guest.
The highlights of the occasion included light refreshment and a ‘walkathon’ from the DC’s office to the Civil Hospital Mon where free medical and health checkups for senior citizens above 65 years of age were provided.
Mkg honours Centenarian, Best Mother
Mokokchung: Centenarian Tsuktimayang of Ungma village, who is now 113 years old, received the Centenarian Award on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons on October 1. The Award also included a cash incentive of Rs.2000. The Best Mother Award, of Rs.2000, was also given to 72 year old Imola Aier of Sungratsü village. Tsüktimayang is known for his skill in making wood and bamboo products, while Imola Aier has set an example in bringing up her children as responsible citizens.
The two senior citizens were honoured in recognition of their commendable service not only towards their children and grandchildren but also towards society. Deputy Commissioner C M Tsanglao gave away the cash awards at a function which was observed at the Sangtemla Ward community hall. Delivering his exhortation at the function, Tsanglao said that elderly persons are assets to the society, and further described them as guardians of society.
In his keynote address, District Welfare Officer T Imkong Longkumer said the welfare of senior citizens is one of the concern areas for the government which has taken up a number of schemes for their welfare. He informed that there are 2022 beneficiaries among senior citizens under the State Old Age Pension scheme, while 4040 receive financial assistance under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme in Mokokchung district. President of the Mokokchung District Pensioners Association, Dr. Odongtangba, also spoke on the occasion. A huge number of senior citizens in the town attended the function.


NPCC sceptical of 'Naga platform' Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Mon (Nagaland), October 01 2009: Even as formation of "Common Naga Platform" is in the process with the initiative of Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government, the Congress party in Nagaland has reiterated its stand on the formation of such organisation at this juncture stating that this would not be appropriate and augur well with the ongoing peace and reconciliation process.

Addressing the Congress party workers at Mon town in Nagaland yesterday, KV Pusa, president of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) said formation of CNP at this crucial juncture would not suit the present situation.

He said Nagas have dozens of organisations which sometimes complicated the fragile Naga situation and therefore forming more groups or organisations should be restrained to facilitate the ongoing peace and reconciliation process among Naga groups.

"It is not advisable to form CNP at this juncture" he added.

Pusa however appreciated the efforts of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) which is trying to restore peace and reconciliation between the Naga insurgent groups and asserted that all overground and underground groups must come together and should have one voice to hammer out solution to the Naga political problem.

He insists that all groups have confidence on the efforts of the FNR.

Nillo Rengma, vice president of NPCC in support of Pusa said forming of CNP would not be appropriate at this juncture.

But he said congress' stand is amply clear that any solution to the Naga issue should be honourable and acceptable to all sections of Naga people.

"We should not be confused with congress' stand", he asserted.

He said congress want early settlement to the problem adding, "This should not prolonged".

He said any piecemeal offer would not resolve the long standing Naga problem.

Rengma underlined the need for inclusive dialogue where all groups of Naga people are taken into confidence so that problem is solved for once and for all.

"This stand we have made clear to the centre" the congress leader said.