By Naba Bhattacharjee
The heading may appear far fetched; but it deserves serious thought as the stalemate on the ILP issue continues. With little indication of an agreeable breakthrough, except for the proposed Tenancy Act being placed in public domain for discussion and indications for considering a modified ILP there has been no breakthrough. Logically, a convergence of different proposals and ideas together with existing laws and acts should become the precursor towards a thaw in the standoff. This is easier said than done unless a well meaning, neutral mediating group takes up the responsibility. All genuine citizens who are stakeholders in the welfare of the state cannot remain mute spectators. Influx is a serious issue which needs to be tackled sincerely through a fool-proof legislation, executed stringently to educe actual results. Simultaneously, development and socio-economic growth of the state to benefit the people are equally important. To strike a balance between the both, it is imperative that a practical workable module is evolved.
The most viable approach will be the active and committed involvement of different stakeholders like the traditional institutions, the Syiem of different Hima, the intelligentsia, academicians, social thinkers’, women’s and youth organizations, legal experts et al. The rural population too must also be adequately represented in articulating their views without thrusting a totally urban oriented concept on them as per the usual practice. Leaders of different religions and faiths besides non-indigenous permanent residents could also play an important role in evolving a consensus. The entire build up towards constituting a composite mediation group can be facilitated by the Autonomous District Councils in their respective areas of jurisdiction with specific terms of reference, aimed at constructing a viable and affective mechanism to eliminate influx without infringing on livelihood chains and inclusive of all round socio-economic emancipation.
This understandably is no easy route nor can results be expected overnight. The exercise shall be long drawn and exhaustive. There has to be a series of parleys and deliberations at different levels with all stakeholders, before arriving on a solution which is best suited for our state. It is a question of a lurking danger looming large over the comparatively small tribal population of the state. The threat perspective may not be immediately imminent but the ominous portend is obvious. It is still early stages but gathering momentum with each passing day. Neighboring Assam is a classic case study of what happens when the danger signals of infiltration are ignored or taken lightly. The original Axomiya is set to become a minority in their homeland with no visible panacea in sight to overcome the onslaught of being swept away by the tide of influx gaining legitimacy through growing political prowess. It is to the interest of the agents of destabilization like the ISI, when disagreement and stress prevails between government and section of citizens on any issue. It becomes an ideal setting for such divisive forces to foment trouble to sustain the acrimony as a diversionary tactics to fast track their nefarious agenda.
Thus without falling prey to such possible manipulations it is necessary to build an atmosphere of mutual understanding, trust and a spirit of reconciliation through flexibility and spirit of give and take at sincere behest of the mediation group. After all the primary concern of both the government and the NGOs are probably the best interest and benefit of the state and its people and the empowered and enlightened people alone can spell out what is the common good of a common cause.
