SILCHAR, Oct 5: What keeps militancy kicking and going on in the Northeast? Among all other well explained causes, the nexus between politicians and extremists and the diversion of Central funds is one such cause. In the latest instance, former Chief Executive Member of the Autonomous District Council of North Cachar Hills Mohet Hojai and a Council official RH Khan are in the dragnet of the National Investigation Agency, for allegedly aiding the DHD (J) militants. They were arrested following the seizure of Rs 1 crore in cash from two DHD (J) linkmen who revealed during interrogation that the money was given to them by Hojai for securing an arms deal with the outfit.
There was a well connected nexus between militants and a section of the Council’s elected representatives and officials, NIA, sources admitted. Sources added that the issue of diversion of funds to the militants did not begin with Hojai. In connection with the case, National Investigation Agency has arrested 10 people including some arms dealers as well. Seven were apprehended in Asom, two in Bengal and one in Mizoram. But, it further pointed out that Mohet Hojai will be the only big politician in the chargesheet that NIA would file soon.
In fact, nexus between politicians and militants came to light on the basis of the confessional statements of Dimasa National Security Force Chairman Bharat Langthasa who was arrested on March 30, 1994. He revealed his close links with the then Hills Area Development Minister Gobind Chandra Langthasa, Chief Executive Member of the Council Pabitra Kemprai and Kontalal Kemprai. The outfit ceremoniously surrendered before the then Asom Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia in November, 1995.
Moreover, DNSF had committed a number of killings, kidnapping and extortions from various businessmen and traders to sustain its campaign for an independent “Dimasaland”. It had developed close links with NSCN (IM) for training in arms and ammunition. Autonomous State Demand Committee and other organizations had all along been accusing the Congress Government of sponsoring violence in North Cachar Hills.
In a fax message to The Sentinel on March 11, 1995, CEM Pabitra Kemprai denied the allegations involving him and others for having direct links with DNSF and said that the press published the news after a year of the arrest of Bharat Langthasa and wondered how a confidential document of the government “is available for the press to mis-utilize the same”.
It is no use repeating what happened to Purnendu Langthasa and Nindu Langthasa, the two young and powerful political leaders of North Cachar Hills whom DHD (J) accused of trying to buy “us off”. Purnendu was the eldest son of Gobind Chandra Langthasa and CEM of the Council. Nindu was a member of the Council. DHD (J)’s publicity secretary Phairang Dimasa went on record to say that the Congress leaders offered money to buy peace. Investigators agreed that money played a role in the killings of both the leaders. Police officials said the militants had demanded Rs 2.8 crore from the ruling Congress and a dispute while trying to negotiate a deal led to the duo being shot dead on June 5, 2007. There are several instances of such nexus in the Hills districts.
The scenario of nexus is bewildering. One still remembers the devastating political report of the then Governor Lt General VK Nayar in mid 90’s who accused Nagaland Chief Minister of that time SC Jamir for supporting NSCN (Khaplang). His report further charged the then Chief Minister RK Dorendra Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Reishang Keishing for helping the militants. The late Reishing Government got involved in what came to be known as the uniform scandal in Manipur. It was then that alleged uniforms of the Manipur Rifles worth Rs 45 crore were gifted away to the NSCN at the behest of Reishang Keishing.
While Jamir dubbed the report of the Governor a “heresy” and questioned the political wisdom of the Governor, Keishing threatened to drag General Nayar to Court and vehemently denied ever supporting NSCN guerillas. What could be termed as the first ever drastic action by the Centre in the political history of the country was the sacking of the Nagaland Governor Dr MM Thomas for being sympathetic to the militants. In his book My Presidential Years, Former President of India R Venkatraman writes on page 59 about the “sneaking sympathy of the then Chief Minister of Manipur Reishaing Keishing with the rebel insurgents” he further mentions that the dissidents from Manipur led by Tompak Singh complained to him bitterly against the Chief Minister, charging him with being in league with the extremists.
After a surprise attack on 19 defence personnel at Ukhrul in Manipur during combing operations, the Chief Minister came to him and complained to him against the Army, though the Army was the aggrieved party. “Even after I talked to him several times to help the Army to maintain peace and security in the State of Manipur, he did precious little to assist them”, he stated.
The story of nexus and diversion of funds is endless. Unless this tie up is broken, militancy will continue to thrive. It depends upon the political will of the leaders and often bureaucrats. All the political parties have to give serious thought to the issue in order to bring an end to the spectre of militancy in the overall interest of the development of Northeast. THE SENTINEL
There was a well connected nexus between militants and a section of the Council’s elected representatives and officials, NIA, sources admitted. Sources added that the issue of diversion of funds to the militants did not begin with Hojai. In connection with the case, National Investigation Agency has arrested 10 people including some arms dealers as well. Seven were apprehended in Asom, two in Bengal and one in Mizoram. But, it further pointed out that Mohet Hojai will be the only big politician in the chargesheet that NIA would file soon.
In fact, nexus between politicians and militants came to light on the basis of the confessional statements of Dimasa National Security Force Chairman Bharat Langthasa who was arrested on March 30, 1994. He revealed his close links with the then Hills Area Development Minister Gobind Chandra Langthasa, Chief Executive Member of the Council Pabitra Kemprai and Kontalal Kemprai. The outfit ceremoniously surrendered before the then Asom Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia in November, 1995.
Moreover, DNSF had committed a number of killings, kidnapping and extortions from various businessmen and traders to sustain its campaign for an independent “Dimasaland”. It had developed close links with NSCN (IM) for training in arms and ammunition. Autonomous State Demand Committee and other organizations had all along been accusing the Congress Government of sponsoring violence in North Cachar Hills.
In a fax message to The Sentinel on March 11, 1995, CEM Pabitra Kemprai denied the allegations involving him and others for having direct links with DNSF and said that the press published the news after a year of the arrest of Bharat Langthasa and wondered how a confidential document of the government “is available for the press to mis-utilize the same”.
It is no use repeating what happened to Purnendu Langthasa and Nindu Langthasa, the two young and powerful political leaders of North Cachar Hills whom DHD (J) accused of trying to buy “us off”. Purnendu was the eldest son of Gobind Chandra Langthasa and CEM of the Council. Nindu was a member of the Council. DHD (J)’s publicity secretary Phairang Dimasa went on record to say that the Congress leaders offered money to buy peace. Investigators agreed that money played a role in the killings of both the leaders. Police officials said the militants had demanded Rs 2.8 crore from the ruling Congress and a dispute while trying to negotiate a deal led to the duo being shot dead on June 5, 2007. There are several instances of such nexus in the Hills districts.
The scenario of nexus is bewildering. One still remembers the devastating political report of the then Governor Lt General VK Nayar in mid 90’s who accused Nagaland Chief Minister of that time SC Jamir for supporting NSCN (Khaplang). His report further charged the then Chief Minister RK Dorendra Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Reishang Keishing for helping the militants. The late Reishing Government got involved in what came to be known as the uniform scandal in Manipur. It was then that alleged uniforms of the Manipur Rifles worth Rs 45 crore were gifted away to the NSCN at the behest of Reishang Keishing.
While Jamir dubbed the report of the Governor a “heresy” and questioned the political wisdom of the Governor, Keishing threatened to drag General Nayar to Court and vehemently denied ever supporting NSCN guerillas. What could be termed as the first ever drastic action by the Centre in the political history of the country was the sacking of the Nagaland Governor Dr MM Thomas for being sympathetic to the militants. In his book My Presidential Years, Former President of India R Venkatraman writes on page 59 about the “sneaking sympathy of the then Chief Minister of Manipur Reishaing Keishing with the rebel insurgents” he further mentions that the dissidents from Manipur led by Tompak Singh complained to him bitterly against the Chief Minister, charging him with being in league with the extremists.
After a surprise attack on 19 defence personnel at Ukhrul in Manipur during combing operations, the Chief Minister came to him and complained to him against the Army, though the Army was the aggrieved party. “Even after I talked to him several times to help the Army to maintain peace and security in the State of Manipur, he did precious little to assist them”, he stated.
The story of nexus and diversion of funds is endless. Unless this tie up is broken, militancy will continue to thrive. It depends upon the political will of the leaders and often bureaucrats. All the political parties have to give serious thought to the issue in order to bring an end to the spectre of militancy in the overall interest of the development of Northeast. THE SENTINEL
No comments:
Post a Comment