The aftermath of the recent series of attack by the NSCN (K) and its allies, one can notice the obvious and conceivable attitude of the Para Military and Military forces glaringly. The atrocity meted out to the five innocent citizens demonstrated that the synthetic pledge and their famous slogan ‘Friends of the Hill People’ was and is a mere proclamation of deceit. Under this slogan, Nagas were appeased and their mentalities were distracted. The pledge has emerged to be a lie, and only a momentary strategy to win the confidence of the Naga people.Every Naga citizen has become a suspect and shady personality in the mindset of the Indian Army. For them, no Naga is trustworthy and therefore, random and unsystematic methods of operation are taking places. The ruthless and merciless man-handling of the five innocent citizens on mere suspicion is evidence enough that they have no intention to consider the case of even genuine citizens. This is a sign of vengeance and intolerance. It can be construed as a lack of understanding or intentional disregard for humanitarian measures. High ranking Officers and base strategy builders tend to look the other way while, they release the rogues’ soldiers on loose. These loose soldiers turn into indecent and frenzy lots and create havocs. Consequently, only after the damage is already done, the pacifier will come on behalf of the rogues citing all kinds of astonishing reasons. Who will dare argue with them?
The fact that, Armed Force Special Power Act (AFSPA) enacted by Parliament on September 11, 1958 which was first implemented in the Northeast still stands today, had emboldened the Army to the extent beyond the understanding of the general public. Ordinary citizen of the State of Nagaland can and will perceive that, under the spell of this Act, our ‘security of life’ and ‘right to judgment’ guaranteed in the constitution of India holds no water.
Even the 4th estate of the Northeast India are not spared but treated as a non existence or ignorable fraternity when it comes to operations and hostile situations. How then can the public feel secure and safe with the “Friends of the Hill People”? Is there any justification from our “Friends” the Indian Army?
With all due respect and sympathy to the loss of lives from both the NSCN (K) and the Army/Para military as well, will it be wrong to ask that, If Army Jawans laying their life for the cause of India are Martyrs, what about those who are laying down their life to set Nagaland free from forceful occupation? Are they traitors? Are they terrorists? There is a certain echelon up to how much the army or the guerilla warfare can achieve but beyond that, diplomacy and political dialogue takes over. What have gone wrong were but, a diplomatic failure and a mismanagement of trust by the Government of India. Therefore, please don’t let the public be at the receiving end. Blame the GOI for failing in the diplomacy.
People are wiser and more sophisticated today than during the 50s, 60s and 70s. The world can be made known about any atrocities committed in a matter of minutes or hours, thanks to technology and advancement of time. Perhaps and hopefully there will be no other such ugly occurrence in future, but this goes out to express resentment over the atrocious and high handedness behavior of the AR Jawan’s on our five innocent young men. This is neither an intimidation nor an appreciation. It’s just a personal opinion. Stop assaulting innocent!!! STOP.
Ri (Rilo) Therie,
Upper Agri Colony, Kohima
