Manipur literally translated as the land of jewels, where scenic beauty is complemented by beauty in looks of the various Meitei and tribal societies and oodles of talent in sports-polo emanated from here and culture, has very unfortunately suffered much in recent decades owing to many insurgent movements/groups which since the past two decades got converted to sheer terrorism with external links. It is also a state where over-ground suppo-rters/workers of these groups and sections of civil socie-ty/NGOs/human rights activists have been campaigning for removal of the Armed forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
However, two recent developments come as pleasant surprises. The first is a series of surrenders with arms and ammunition, which by now tally well over 200. The other is over 500 students applying for the National Defence Academy (NDA) very recently. The fact that both these have been as a result of motivation of militants and students largely by the Army/Assam Rifles and also by the state government, despite all the pressure and hype by human rights campaigners against security forces, is indeed significant.
On May 16, 2012, the Army’s Red Shield Division organised a seminar for enhancing awareness of the youth of Manipur. Attended by children from all over Manipur, the seminar had eminent panellists who elaborated on the employment opportunities available in sectors like engineering, medicine, nursing, civil services etc. Red Shield Division also facilitated the online registration of prospective children for the NDA entrance examination. This received an overwhelming response, as more than 500 students, mainly from Senapati and Tamenglong districts and NCC Cadets, registered for NDA entrance exam. These applicants will appear for the written entrance exam on August 19 2012, which will be followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview for those who clear the written exam. The candidates who clear the SSB interview will thereafter undergo three years training at the prestigious NDA at Khadakwasla (Pune). On successful completion of the three years basic training at NDA, the cadets will undergo another year of specialised training at Indian Military Academy for Army cadets, six months on board Indian Navy’s training ship for Naval cadets and a year or so for Air Force cadets, all of who will be paid a monthly stipend of `21,000 per month till they become commissioned officers earning a minimum salary of approximately `40,000 per month. Many Manipuri students, including those from Sainik School, Imphal, have not only made it to NDA, but a fair percentage of them graduated with flying colours, excelling in sports, services subjects and academics. Maj. Gen. Binoy Poonnen, VSM, GOC Red Shield Division, expressed happiness at the response from the applicants and assured that all deserving students will be provided books, training and guidance for the NDA exam as well as free guidance and coaching for medical engineering and civil services examinations.
In the fourth surrender by terrorists in Manipur since October 2011, on April 30, 2012, a hundred and three militants belonging to 12 outfits laid down arms during a “home coming” ceremony at Inspecto-rate General, Assam Rifles (South)’s headquarters, at Mantripukhri, Imphal in the presence of chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, home minister Gaikhangam, chief secretary D.S. Poonia, DG police Ratnakar Baral, IG, Assam Rifles (South) Maj. Gen. UK Gurung and family members of the surrendered militants.
The hardcore terrorists surrendering were of proscribed outfits, including old and infamous ones like United National Liberation Front, People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, United People’s Party of Kangleipak, People’s United Liberation Front, Kuki National Liberation Front, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and lesser known ones like UNPC, KRPA and KRF. They surrendered with over 103 weapons, including 9 AK-47 rifles, three Lathodes, 25 Carbines, 59 pistols, three 303 rifles and one each M-16 and M-21 rifles.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh said Naxalites (who are already well-linked with PLA) have posed a serious challenge to law and order machinery. “Peaceful methods like elections are primarily meant for giving say to people’s aspirations. Parliament and State Assemblies are actually the forum for conflict resolution… a section of people perhaps does not believe in the efficacy of these democratic and peaceful means. I do not agree with such people.” Referring to of trend of democracy developing across the world, he further added, “very recently even in the neighbourhood of Manipur in Burma we saw how the peaceful democratic movement of Aung San Suu Kyi met a great success…no government can deliver without active and continued support of the public…I am fully confident that people would continue to support our vision and policy for peace and development”.
On October 27, 2011, following concerted efforts of the Army and its Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact, 43 commanders and cadres of the United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) led by its president surrendered to the government before the chief minister. While platitudes and promises are considered necessary tools by political leaders, if they are not followed up by implementation on the ground and within a reasonable time-frame, not only do the leaders lose their credibility, but the problem escalates further. In this case it is hoped that the Union home minister and chief ministers of Manipur and Assam have some substantial plans for rehabilitating the surrenderees, because what should not be allowed is a repeat of SULFA (surrendered ULFA),who after former Assam CM Hiteshwar Saikia’s “amnesty” to ULFA in early 1990s created yet another nuisance. One way of rehabilitating them is by raising more police battalions, which will address the problem of police being under-strength. India has the lowest policeman to population ratio. The other aspect is to ensure that the breakaway factions of these groups still active must be rounded up.
Anil Bhat, a retired Army officer, is a defence and security analyst based in New Delhi