Students of International Relations and Peace Studies must be aware of the controversy surrounding the etymological development of the term ‘Terrorism’. The core issue is not of the ambiguity of its literal meaning but the obsessive political implications and prejudices it entails. To a frequently ask question – “Who are terrorists?” an honest answer would be the general definition from the dictionary, i.e. “persons/groups that use violent actions to achieve certain goals, etc”. However, after 9/11, people tend to identify terrorists with the Muslims and the Islamic organizations and their allies. In India too, when Hindus attack the Muslims or Christians, it is a law and order problem but when Muslims attack the Hindus, it is a terrorist attack. A pertinent question arises: Who are to be considered as terrorists? The more striking question is: Who has the infallible authority to sanction terrorist tag? The State? UNO? No! Ironically, the prejudices surrounding the term ‘terrorists’ are mostly constructed connotations, ascribed and imposed upon the less powerful and often overstated by the more powerful to gain political mileage. Notwithstanding the legitimacy one may supposedly possess, branding another organization a ‘terrorist’ can never solve the problem between them.
No one is above the law but all laws are made by man. Now, if the lawmakers, with politically motivated objectives make a law in such a way that it suppresses the general will of the people and contrarily deprives them of their inherent rights, the law itself needs to be scrapped. For example, empowering the Indian Army with unlimited power immune from legal actions through the AFSPA blatantly comes short of civilized law applicable in a democratic society. Now if the law enforcers terrorize the common people in the name of this draconian law, they are equally at fault along with the so called lawbreakers. For, violence cannot justify violence. On the other hand, no law can deny the use of violence as a last resort in self defense, be it the case of an individual or a state. When the Nagas took up arms in the mid-fifties to fight against the mighty Indian forces, it was not an option but a necessity to salvage freedom from the aggressors. When all means of non-violent representations failed and all hopes of peaceful settlement were shattered by the double standard dealing of the Naga issue by the Indian leadership, Naga leaders were forced to go underground. Against all norms, India quickly responded by unleashing a reign of terror in the erstwhile peaceful Naga country.
When Naga freedom fighters inflicted casualties upon the Indian soldiers, they retaliated by indiscriminate firing, burning down of villages, grouping, torture , rape and killing of innocent village folks. Oinam incident was condemned by all international communities. Yet, it was not the first of its kind; never the last. Nagas have been subjected to myriad of such inhuman treatment in the cruel hands of the Indian army, most of which went unheard to the outside world. Since then Nagas have been living in constant fear and trauma. Thousands have been ruthlessly slaughtered. And Nagas are not alone. Behind the facade of fighting insurgency, the whole North East has been terrorized by India and her agents. The present scenario in Manipur is a clear manifestation of state sponsored terrorism. The security agents, in collusion with hoodlums are responsible for creating panicky situations in Manipur where harassment, fake encounters, bandhs, dharnas etc. are abound. People no longer wonder how the militants managed to explode bombs in the marketplaces amidst air tight security.
The assassination of University Professor, the recent murder of a pregnant woman and a youth in fake encounter, bomb explosion near a hospital, etc. all these unhealthy incidents are the handiworks of the Indian agents in the stolen name of some proscribed militant groups. Through reliable intelligence sources it has been established that the notorious Manipur Police commandos have clandestine link with militants in carrying out these extortion threats. The solution does not lie in apprehending and punishing the perpetrators alone, for they themselves are already victims of some filthy games sponsored by higher orders. Mr. Ramanada alias Oken an ex KCP member is one of such pawns used by the commandos for quite a long time. When their dirty alliance was exposed, they planned to do away with him. Therefore, Oken slipped out from their hands and escaped towards the hills. There, he was given refuge by the Assam Rifles under the mentorship of Maj. Rana of the 23 AR. This explains the incident of bomb explosion in Ukhrul that took place soon after the patrol party of the Assam Rifles withdrew from the spot. Presently, Mr. Oken is under the care of Maj. Shekhar, 21 AR. This piece of classified information is stated here in public interest to be warned of the wolves in sheep skin prowling next door.
In all fairness, Government of India ought to tender official apology to the people of the North east for the acts of terrorism perpetrated by her security agents. Interestingly, she is changing her strategy especially with regard to Indo-Naga issue: from forceful suppression to gradual assimilation, from direct confrontation to systematic strangulation. Whatsoever, we reiterate our stand that India remains our abominable enemy so long as she keeps trying to downplay with Naga Nationalism. In a bid to cover up her ugly image, the armed forces are employing suedo-good Samaritan services to woo the common people. We are not jealous of the civic activities being carried out by the Assam Rifles. On the contrary, we are aware of the string that comes with the boon. Nagas are not that dumb to swallow the bait. Indian agents may have succeeded in indoctrinating some Nagas with false propaganda, but they can never bury the truth. Like the cunning devil, they started tempting: Can Nagas really survive themselves as a nation? Why sovereignty when we already have Nagaland at hand? What is freedom at all if we are to be impoverished? So and so. Craftily, India injected these doubts and initiated hate campaign, creating dissensions across the sections of Naga society, both overground and underground. Now, she is using one group to condemn the other.
The desperate attempt by some individuals/groups to discredit the NSCN as a terrorist organization is indeed a sorry state of affairs for the Nagas. Where are we heading to? Wake up before it is too late. We will be the most pitiable people if we cannot overcome this proxy war deviously waged by India. Before we point finger to one another, let us ponder a while and try to identify who our real enemy is. Dear countrymen, intellectuals or ordinary, it is time we join hands and rise against the enemy in one accord. For the Naga Army, in agreement with the national principles of the NSCN, we are carrying the mantle of defending our land and the people at all cost. However, let this be known by all and sundry that we do not believe in terrorism.
Col. Levi Zimik
PRO/ Naga Army
