[Assam] Piece from the Sentinel

[Ram Sarangapani]

C'da,
> The short-attention-span plagued GoI seems unable to stay on the >job: ............. Its various arms are continually sending out >conflicting statements or are unaware of each others' activities and >positions.

If that is the preception, why is the ULFA still interested in
negotiation with such an inept GOI?  This same GOI then would be very
likely to send conflicting positions even if some agreement is
reached. Don't you think so?  That is what I was referring to seeking
a transitory solution. Permanent solutions, if any can only come about
if the ULFA and the GOI have faith in each others' committments.

> *** First off Ram, you make a profound mistake in implying that >Assam has to or ought to do what other parts of India do or should >do. Assam is Assam, and is not Bihar, is not Tamil Nadu, isn't >Kashmir.

Such comparisons are absolutely valid. Some in Assam have very similar
grievances against the GOI as people in other states - only the
methods to redress them are different.
Also, what then is the logic to compare ULFA's struggle with similar
struggles elsewhere - be it in Tripura or in Palestine or Sri Lanka?

> Dilli takes Assam's resources -- what belongs to ALL the people of >Assam, then repackages it, sends back a portion of it, as if it is >Dilli's GIFT, to a select group of beneficiaries.

Even if one were to agree to this, which other state in the Union has
a better deal? From my basic understanding, that is how nations
operate.

If tomorrow, Assam were to become independent, wouldn't the entire
'country's' resources go to Dispur (or somewhere), and then repackaged
and redistributed? Are you giving a gurantee that all portions of the
country will be equally developed, and all the resources taken from
Barpeta or Nalbari will actually stay there and none will go to
Guwahai or Jorhat? Would the Jorhatians feel that Guwahati took all
their resources and 'gifting' them back repackaged? Would Haflong and
Silchar have the same belonging and endearment to the Guwahati?

Basically, C'da, India is still a poor country in many aspects, and
resources are scarce and many portions of the country will feel that
they are being neglected. That feeling is OK, but an armed revolution
is not the answer.

Assam as a separate country will still be Assam. It suddenly does not
become the US or Norway with unlimited resources and everybody lives
happily ever after.
Like most people in Assam, I too have (and still do) for a long time
thought that the GOI has taken treasure from Assam and has not been
able to proportionally develop the region.
That is where the argument with the GOI needs to be - not the
aspirations of independence.
The GOI is ONLY a caretaker of the country. The country DOES NOT just
belong to the GOI or the Hindiwallas. Assamese as well as
Maharastrians or Tamils have equal rights and responsibilities to what
goes on in the GOI and demand accountability (even though you think
its impossible to get that). Why should the Assamese give up on the
country just because the GOI is made up of inept people. Why should
the antics of lousy governance at the Center have a people give up
their rights to remain Indian?

The solution may still lie with India becoming a nation of autonomous states.

--Ram




On 8/17/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
> Ram:
>
> >So, the question still remains - if all this is transitory (from a waffling
> >GOI, say), how does it help the 'cause'. Is this struggle a transitory
> solution >to a long term problem?
>
>
>
> *** I am not sure I understand your question.
>
> The short-attention-span plagued GoI seems unable to stay on the job: Of
> achieving a political solution to the Assam conflict thru a dialogue with
> ULFA. Its various arms are continually sending out conflicting statements or
> are unaware of each others' activities and positions.
>
> It seems to become aware of the continuing problem only after violence
> erupts.
>
> The Sentinel piece acknowledged that--something I found surprising. But I
> commend them for being able to.
>
> Do you disagree, or are you unaware of it?
>
>
>
> >What net results are we talking about? In a democracy, even sops are
> >negotiated. Every state does it. In the case of Assam, it may be sops to
> curb >violence. So, why have other states (who think they have not got their
> due from >the center) not taken to violence (following Assam's example)?
> Have they all >perished?
>
>
>
> *** First off Ram, you make a profound mistake in implying that Assam has to
> or ought to do what other parts of India do or should do. Assam is Assam,
> and is not Bihar, is not Tamil Nadu, isn't Kashmir.
>
> Just like you are you and not me :-).
>
> Assam's circumstances, needs, history and identity are wholly and
> inalienably different from those OTHERS you like to lump Assam with. Never
> mind the common threads that might exist, like religious, certain cultural
> items, some language, so on and so forth.
>
> *** The NET effect I was talking about is not about 'sops'. Sops are fine as
> long as those get to the PEOPLE. India's dysfunctional state machinery, its
> governance, is UNABLE or UNWILLING or both, to ensure that what is doled out
> by Dilli ( something inherently WRONG in my book) gets to where it is
> destined for. It ends up in the pockets of a privileged few, some in Assam
> and many OUTSIDE Assam.
>
> Dilli takes Assam's resources -- what belongs to ALL the people of Assam,
> then repackages it, sends back a portion of it, as if it is Dilli's GIFT, to
> a select group of beneficiaries. It is therefore classic REVERSE
> ROBIN-HOODISM. Steal from the many to enrich a few.
>
> Do you disagree?
>
>
> >And, what is this right thing, you talk about? If you mean 'independence',
> the >GOI cannot and will never do that. Whats next?
>
>
> *** Looks like you already know the answer to the question. Why waste
> precious bandwidth  asking it :-)?
>
> The right thing I spoke of is a NEGOTIATED POLITICAL SETTLEMENT of the
> conflict. Something India declares it wants to do, no doubt to look good to
> the world, except is unable or unwilling to undertake the measure to
> accomplish it. In this case the inability or unwillingness to follow thru on
> what transpired in the meetings with the PCG.
>
> >Obviously, when people keep doing the same things and expect different
> results >- that is insanity. So, why is the ULFA doing the same things
> decade after >decade, yet returning with the same results.
>
>
>
> *** This is where you are grossly mistaken. ULFA declared it WANTS to
> NEGOTIATE.
>
> That is pursuing a different policy -- different from attempting to win a
> military victory. Unlike GoI, which continues on the INSANE pursuit of
> military victory.
>
> India won't release those who will negotiate on behalf of ULFA and it goes
> hunting ULFA cadres while it waves around peace offerings, while anti-Assam
> Indians and its apologists go on taunting ULFA, suggesting it wants to
> negotiate because it is on the verge of capitulation. Not a day goes by
> without the Sentinel, the AT, the Statesman, The Telegraph -- you name it,
> publishing 'ANALYST's pieces proclaiming how ULFA is a spent force,how it
> has lost its support base and is about to keel over. Just like it has been
> doing for decades.
>
>
> >If it was the abject failure of democracy, then all of India would have
> been >ablaze with insurgents running lose all over.
>
>
> *** If I am not mistaken , it was MM Singh, the PM, which told the nation
> that fully one third of India's districts now have some form or other of
> violent insurgency movements, mostly Naxals.
>
> What does that tell you? Does it fly the flag of desi-demokrasy's problem
> solving skills or its failures?
>
>
>
> >You are of course basing this on the notion that all of Assam is struggling
> for >independence from India. While, most will agree that its only a few who
> are.
>
>
> *** I am sure you know more than I do. I am perfectly willing to accept your
> proposition. But I like to see some proof. However, you are one of hose who
> are terrified of a referendum which could validate what you like to assert.
>
> That is not very persuasive Ram :-).
>
> c-da
>
>
>
>
>
>
> At 12:59 PM -0500 8/16/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
> C'da,
>
> >Only when violence begins the government wakes up--but only transitorily.
>
> So, the question still remains - if all this is transitory (from a waffling
> GOI, say), how does it help the 'cause'. Is this struggle a transitory
> solution to a long term problem?
>
> >can you dispute the net effect, the ultimate result?
> What net results are we talking about? In a democracy, even sops are
> negotiated. Every state does it. In the case of Assam, it may be sops to
> curb violence. So, why have other states (who think they have not got their
> due from the center) not taken to violence (following Assam's example)? Have
> they all perished?
>
> > instead of attempting to do the right thing by Assam;
>
> And, what is this right thing, you talk about? If you mean 'independence',
> the GOI cannot and will never do that. Whats next?
>
> >*** Easier than what Ram? Bribery? Corruption? Play the game according to
> the >rules set by the oppressors?
>
> Well, those are not the only choices. Corruption and bribery exist NOT just
> in Assam, but elsewhere too. But there are people in Assam and elsewhere who
> are NOT violent, and yet they happen to lead lives without corruption and
> bribery.
>
> >Is it not 'insanity' ? Expecting different outcomes while pursuing the same
> >policies?
>
> Obviously, when people keep doing the same things and expect different
> results - that is insanity. So, why is the ULFA doing the same things decade
> after decade, yet returning with the same results. According to your own
> arguments, the ULFA (being more pristine than the GOI) ought to know better.
> They still dealing with the same old GOI with all its trappings of
> ineficiencies, corruption etc, and yet their decades long struggle has
> managed to produce a lot od dead people, and little else. Is that insanity?
>
> >***" Violence and mayhem" however is a product of a failure of a
> 'democratic' and political >process. ULFA was a RESULT, a PRODUCT, of
> desi-democrasy's abject failures
>
> If it was the abject failure of democracy, then all of India would have been
> ablaze with insurgents running lose all over.  No, C'da, you will have to
> agree that insurgents made the wrong call here. Violence only begets
> violence and the blame game can keep on going.
>
> >No different in the case of Assam vs. India. ......-- than Assam has
> produced in its quest for >freedom
>
> You are of course basing this on the notion that all of Assam is struggling
> for independence from India. While, most will agree that its only a few who
> are. If all of Assam was behind the ULFA, Assam would have been independent
> a long time ago. :-) :-)
>
> --Ram
>
>
>
>
> On 8/16/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
> Ram:
>
>
> >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 the simple reason of decades of observation. India's myriads of
> armed
> uprisings are a direct result of the  blindness and deafness of its
> governing powers. Only when violence begins the government wakes up--but
> only transitoryily
>
>
> Just look at how Assam came to be known to India. First it was the Andwlon
> that put it in the map, and ULFA brought it out to the forefront. Many of
> the Indian handouts to Assam since that time was a direct fall-out of ULFA's
> actions, NOT necessarily out of fairness, NOT to empower Assamese society,
> but more as a countermeasure to ULFA, in the spirit of that quintessentially
> Indian virtue: BRIBERY! And predictably the largesse ends up with a select
> group of beneficiaries. And these beneficiaries, fine human beings they are,
> sing the praises of their benefactors. Even if you and others argue that my
> view is much too cynical, and even if there could be an element of truth in
> it, can you
> dispute the net effect, the ultimate result?
>
>
>
>
> >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.
>
>
> *** If that is true, and if that is what India believes, then how come GoI,
> for all these decades, have had  spouted only excuses and propaganda,
> instead of attempting to do the right thing by Assam; by taking the lead in
> finding a negotiated political solution to the stalemate, knowing full well
> that India
> cannot achieve an outright military victory?
>
>
> What is the rationale here Ram?
>
>
> Is it not 'insanity' ? Expecting different outcomes while pursuing the same
> policies? If you were in charge would YOU continue to do the same thing that
> has not produced any results?
>
> And if not, would you not be inclined to ask: Helllloooo, anyone home at
> Indraprastha? Would you not want those vicious watchdogs of desi-demokrasy
> -- the fearless press, to ask the same question?
>
>
> >Violence is widespread because there are insurgent groups that find it
> easier >to get away with impunity.
>
>
> *** Easier than what Ram? Bribery? Corruption? Play the game according to
> the rules set by the oppressors?
>
>
>
>
> >I seriously doubt, if the GOI has some grandiose plan for Assam's real
> estate - >I doubt if they have a plan at all.
>
>
> *** You may be right, you maybe wrong and regardless, you and I are NOT
> effected directly. But those whose lives are impacted by it every day, could
> take it a differently, couldn't  they?.
>
>
>
>
> >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.
>
>
> ***" Violence and mayhem" however is a product of a failure of a
> 'democratic' and political process. ULFA was a RESULT, a PRODUCT, of
> desi-democrasy's abject failures. It is not the END GOAL. Throughout history
> freedom movements produced exactly such violence. Why? Because the
> oppressors were not about to give in. No different in the case of Assam vs.
> India. Gandhi was an exception, even though Indian freedom movement saw far
> more violence -- even proportionally -- than Assam has produced in its quest
> for freedom. In fact the Hindu-Muslim pogroms probably were unprecedented in
> human history. And it too was on account of a quest of freedom.
>
>
>
>
> >Lastly, C'da, I will leave you with a portion of the editorial from today's
> >Sentinel: (Highlights mine)
>
>
>
>
> *** So what else is new Ram? Did you see anything new here? It is the same
> old blather that we have seen decades on end. But has it produced any
> result? If not is it not an exercise in that 'insanity'?
>
>
> c-da
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> At 2:11 PM -0500 8/15/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> c-da
>
>
> * "The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing and
> expecting a different result" ( Seymour M. Hersh)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>