Imphal, Dec 5 (UNI) Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla today said the changing
security scenario in North East is attributed to sustained and coordinated effort of
the security forces on ground and the policies of the Government.
Addressing a seminar on “changing security paradigm in north east - implications &
imperatives” organized by Assam Rifles at City Convention centre here, she said the
security policy should now ideally transition from combating active insurgency to
combating the after effects of insurgency.
While the seven States are indeed collectively referred together as the North East,
there is substantial diversity within the region even as far as political and
socio-economic issues are concerned, both historically and in contemporary times,
the governor said.
"We are witnessing disturbing social harmony, robbing of peace of the society even
on trivial matters or disputes, violence - both localized and even widespread on account
of communal differences and so on. Loot, extortion, arson, destruction of properties,
subversive activities committed by various unknown miscreants and loss of human lives
are well-known consequences of such happenings, she said.
Peace loving citizens of the society not only feel concerned about it, but are also
worried," the governor said.
Trends and statistics of last decade clearly illustrate that the armed insurgency around
the entire region of North East has been gradually waning on a scale of intensity. This
apparent shift in the regional security policy of North East has been largely defined or
modelled along anti-insurgency, she said.
Till few years back, insurgency used to be the core theme of this security policy. There
is a more liberal approach to security with greater focus on peace, development and
cooperative security with an aim to achieve stability at regional, national as well as global
levels, Dr Heptulla said.
There is thus a new salience and awareness of the comprehensive nature of security.
This includes in its ambit the traditional defence-related threats but no less importantly,
challenges in societal, political, economic, technological and environmental dimensions
as well, she said.
The governor said Manipur has been facing problem of insurgency since the 1970s
after the formation of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the year 1978 though the State
had already witnessed the Naga Underground movement in the hill Districts. Since then,
the number of militant outfits have increased manifold, creating serious uncertainty and
tension on account of the deaths and destruction unleashed by their act of terrorism.
She said insurgent and extremist groups have been indulging in attacking civilians,
Government servants, security and Police personnel, imposing bandhs and boycotts
and are indulging in kidnapping, extortion from the public, Government employees,
NGOs, etc. They boycott National functions and are anti-people, anti-Government
and anti-National.
The governor said the insurgent/extremist organizations continue their subversive
activities, including ambushes/attacks on the Police and other Security Forces as
their main targets. Though the NSCN (IM) is under cease fire with the Central
Government , they are still actively involved in extortion and other criminal activities
in Manipur.
Likewise, the UG outfits belonging to Kuki, Hmar, Paite and other tribes, which have
entered into Suspension of Operation (SoO) are also found involved in incidents of
extortions. Cases of extortion have also been reported against the Manipur based
outfits which have entered into a MoU with the Government, she observed.
The result of the stepped up counter-insurgency operations, area domination by
the Police/SF is felt especially in the valley districts where the subversive activities
of the UG elements have been contained to a considerable extent. Similarly, in the
hill districts, the area domination by SF/Police have compelled the UG elements,
especially the Manipur based outfits to seek refugee in the neighbouring countries
like Myanmar, Bangladesh, etc apart from taking shelter in other States of the
country, she said.
The pivotal role played by the Assam Rifles to effectively contain the subversive
and violent acts of various UG outfits at the long porous International border of 398
kms with Myanmar deserves appreciation by one and all, the governor added.
Senior army personnel both serving and retired also addressed the seminar.
UNI NS