[Assam] Piece from the Sentinel

[Ram Sarangapani]

C'da,

>But it does not change the fact that ULFA had to go blow things up >again
to remind GoI that talking about holding direct negotiations is >not enough,
that doing something about is necessary.

If the GOI is so inept and the right hand doesn't know what the left is
doing, why are so sure that only blowing up things will actually catch the
GOI's attentions? For all one knows, it could be the reverse, where some
politician or general in the GOI takes a more drastic and adamant stance -
whereby ULFA's blowing up things may actaully be responded in kind.

>*** Why is it surprising Ram?IF GoI represents the people, it has the
responsibility to serve the >people's desire, doesn't it?

It is surprising because violence has to be condemned all round - not just
the times when ULFA cadres are killed. For all we know, the GOI may be
responding to violence by the ULFA.
Yes, there are times when Govt. soldiers go berserk and kill unnecessarily
and without reason - but normally, they only react to violent situations.

But, all that DOES not solves ULFA's or Assam's interest. Low intensity
violence by insurgents may at times cause some politician to pay attention,
but these do not provide long-term solutions.

>Why is it becoming more and more widespread instead of >becoming lesser and
lesser?

Violence is widespread because there are insurgent groups that find it
easier to get away with impunity. Often it is even a great career path for
the leaders of such organizations. And of course, I agree with you that many
in the GOI really don't seem to care one way or the other. But you are wrong
if you think it is only Assam (the old step-motherly treatment)  or the
real-estate stuff. This is the way the GOI treats many states. Luckily for
many of those states, they don't have an ULFA to pull them down further.

I seriously doubt, if the GOI has some grandiose plan for Assam's real
estate - I doubt if they have a plan at all.

If Assam is to be become independent from India only thru violence and
mayhem, one wonders what kind of liberation these insurgents have in store
for the common person.

Lastly, C'da, I will leave you with a portion of the editorial from today's
Sentinel: (Highlights mine) -- Ram

Organizations like the *United Liberation Front of Asom* (ULFA) *that have
totally lost direction* and have no compunction *whatsoever in targeting
innocent civilians*, should finally realize that they stand *no
chance*whatsoever against a system which,
*despite its many shortcomings and pitfalls, ultimately depends on the
democratic sanction of the masses*. The strength of *Indian democracy
lies*in the fact that it has succeeded in evolving a structure which
has made
free and fair elections possible. This is no mean achievement when compared
with experiments with representative democracy elsewhere. *Therefore, the
challenges to our polity must be met not through fundamentalist exclusivity
of a different type, but by strengthening those very values and precepts
that have given our democracy a pride of place among the comity of nations*.
Let the national tricolour be unfurled at every place today, saluting the
spirit of India, its essence and its unique experiment with democracy.

On 8/15/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
>  Ram:
>
>
> >Could it not be within the realm of possibilities that the ULFA did send
> out >'feelers' to the GOI?
>
>
>
>
>  *** I was not commenting on that. There could be substance to that. But
> it does not change the fact that ULFA had to go blow things up again to
> remind GoI that talking about holding direct negotiations is not enough,
> that doing something about is necessary. GoI sat on its haunches after the
> PCG meetings, with its many arms pronouncing conflicting and contradictory
> statements, sounding like its right hand never knowing what the left is
> doing, as always.
>
>
>
>
> >That the Sentinel is (also) trying to put the onus of breaking the peace
> >initiatives on the GOI is surprising
>
>
>
>
>  *** Why is it surprising Ram? IF GoI represents the people, it has the
> responsibility to serve the people's desire, doesn't it? People of Assam
> have been clamoring for a negotiated settlement for decades. But has the
> 'people's govt.' responded ? Does it really care about what the people of
> Assam has been seeking all these years?
>
>
> IF, the GoI is made up of sincere and able people attempting to respond to
> their  constituents' needs and desires, holding the reins of powers and
> wearing that halo of legitimacy; should it continue to,decade after decade,
> find excuses about why it cannot take the lead in finding a political
> solution to the
> conflict?
>
>
> >If violence is bad, then it has to be bad when either the ULFA or the GOI
> >commits it. It can't be glossed over for one while the other is held
> >responsible.
>
>
>  *** Surely. But WHY has violence steadily become the preferred method for
> disaffected peoples of India to get resolution of their grievances Ram? Can
> you answer that? Why is it becoming more and more widespread instead of
> becoming lesser and lesser? There is a pattern to it. And it is unmistakable
> to those who are willing and able to see and hear.
>
>
> Furthermore, if violence is the weapon of them BAD guys only, why is it
> that the good guys, with far more capability of destruction, act just like
> the BAD GUYS ? Are they incapable of thinking more creatively? Or are they
> tone deaf? Or they just don't care what happens to Assam, as long as the
> real-estate remains with India, damn the people?
>
>
> Take your pick Ram :-).
>
>
> c-da
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> At 12:38 PM -0500 8/15/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
> C'da,
>
>
>
> >I saw that too Ram. But it means little.
>
>
>
> I am naive, C'da but am still wondering why the AT report would mean
> little, while the Sentinel's would mean a lot.  Could it not be within the
> realm of possibilities that the ULFA did send out 'feelers' to the GOI?
>
>
>
> That the Sentinel is (also) trying to put the onus of breaking the peace
> initiatives on the GOI is surprising as it seems to have forgotten numerous
> assaults on civis and security personnel by the ULFA.
>
>
>
> If violence is bad, then it has to be bad when either the ULFA or the GOI
> commits it. It can't be glossed over for one while the other is held
> responsible.
>
>
>
> --Ram
>
>
>
>
>
> On 8/15/06,* Chan Mahanta* <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
> I saw that too Ram. But it means little.
>
>
>
>
> The highlighted part below merely reaffirms the *insanity that is Indian (
> and Assam) Govt. policies ( or more precisely an absence of any) and a
> section of Assam establishment's expectations.
>
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> c-da
>
>
>
>
> * "The definition of* insanity* is continuing to do the same thing and
> expecting a different result" ( Seymour M. Hersh)
>
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> At 10:32 AM -0500 8/15/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
> C'da,
>
>
>
> Below from the Assam Tribune (today). Also, from the Sentinel piece, just
> wanted to highlight this from what you sent.
>
>
>
> *"If the ULFA, even after such positive gestures from New Delhi, dithers
> on holding talks, it would be suicidal for the rebels as the commoners in
> Asom, who are craving for peace, would never forgive the outfit."*
>
>
>
> There definitely are a lot behind-the-scenes stuff going around. Reading
> both from the Sentinel and the AT, we don't know if the GOI was trying to
> pull a fast one here or the ULFA sent out 'feelers'.
>
>
> Wonder what those feelers are?
>
>
>
> --Ram
>
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