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North East : Indian worries over US military presence

	December 27, 2004

According to media reports, Indian defence personnel are deeply concerned

over the decision taken under the NDA Government to allow the US military access to the North-east. The frequent visits to the troubled region by US diplomats and soldiers are seen in New Delhi as a serious breach of security that could facilitate the identification of India’s “politico military assets” and allow the physical verification of satellite photographs with ground positions.



A report carried in an English daily, Asian Age, on December 21, says top defence officials have, in the recent past, sent notes voicing reservations about allowing the US or any other country access to the North-east. Sources said that the US interest in the north-eastern region was never hidden and efforts had been on for at least six to eight years to persuade India to allow it entry into this sensitive zone.



Wisely or unwisely, the doors were opened by the NDA Government with former US Ambassador Robert Blackwill being the first foreign dignitary to be allowed to visit the strategic Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.



The Ambassador was reportedly videotaped by the Chinese troops on their side of the border while he was visiting the area. He received a detailed briefing from the commanding officer of the 4 Corps. He was allowed close interaction with military officials guarding India’s borders with China and Burma.

Former Indian Navy Chief Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat wondering at this, pointed out that the Indian military had been totally opposed to foreign entry into the north-east and had written frequently to the political leadership in the past on this issue. (Admiral Bhagwat was later dismissed by the NDA Government.)

The NDA Government overruled military objections to open the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte in Mizoram for the low-intensity training of US soldiers in guerilla warfare. The Military top brass had resisted this pressure, but this year in March, 100 American infantry soldiers were trained there for three weeks. The CHWS was opened to the US Army two years ago when just three soldiers were sent for training. This is still a cause of concern in the defence services. But the UPA Government has not reversed the decision that allows the US full access to what was regarded as top secret training by the Indian Army. US Lt. Colonel David Wisecarver said at the time that the training was a unique opportunity as the Americans do not have a jungle warfare school.



The US, meanwhile, overstepped when it offered assistance directly to the Assam and Nagaland Governments in the wake of terrorist violence in the state. New Delhi reacted adversely to the offer of help with the Government and the Left Parties taking objection to US Ambassador David Mulford’s letter to the state Government in October instead of routing it through the Central Government.



US interest now visible and worrisome

Reports say that the US interest in the North-east is now very visible and worrisome. It extends to Church organisations, in both the US and Canada, that have been taking keen interest in the developments as well. For instance, Project Ploughshares by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, Canada, is an extensive study of the north-east detailing the number of deaths there from 1995, the insurgent groups operating in the region and the Government action or position therein.



The Ploughshares report has been updated in September this year noting that “in a departure from the past policy, the Indian Government announced it was willing to begin peace talks with any rebel group that gave up violence, regardless of whether they have begun to disarm.” Sources could not give exact figures, but claimed that such studies have become fairly common place for the North-east that is attracting considerable attention in the West.



Naga peace process : Rival NSCN faction questions Swu-Muivah visit to Nagaland

In a development that is likely to upset the visiting NSCN (IM) leaders and increase factional rivalry, the NSCN (K) has questioned the purpose of the visit by the leaders of its rival group - Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah - to Nagaland for holding consultations with the Naga civil society.

A spokesman of NSCN (K) in a press statement said holding consultations with the people by NSCN (I-M) leaders at this juncture after over seven years of “futile talks without people’s opinion” with Delhi was meaningless.



NSCN (IM) upset over killings

Meanwhile, Isak Chishi Swu and T, Muivah told representatives of the Naga Hoho during their first major meeting since arriving in Nagaland that the community should “understand the issue together” and work towards a solution.

Apparently upset over the recent violence in the state capital, the NSCN(I-M) leadership met the Naga Hoho delegation at the organisation’s headquarters, Manglamukh, to kick off their series of “consultations with Naga civil groups”.

The general secretary of the Naga Hoho, John Murry, said Swu and Muivah felt the recent incidents were unfortunate, especially the killing of Naga National Council (Adinno) member Tetseo in Kohima last week.



The two leaders revealed their decision to meet bureaucrats, politicians and academicians during their stay. “They said we must work out a way together for a solution and reiterated that we need to understand the issue together,” Murry said.



Hundreds of people turned up at Tetseo’s funeral. A day later, a rally was held to protest against the killing of a woman during a shootout between NSCN(I-M) and NSCN(Khaplang) militants.



The growing resentment among the people forced the NSCN(I-M) to reiterate its stand on reconciliation. “There are certain inherent problems, but they are sure a solution would be found,” Murry said