By Naba Bhattacharjee
The inhuman massacre of innocent individuals in Pahalgam has sent shock waves followed by anger and condemnation all over the country and worldwide. History clearly articulates that religious fundamentalism has always ignited hatred that engulfs humanity in the long run. Pakistan is today the principal country promoting and breeding terrorism, as it accelerates towards a failed nation in every respect. The ruthless persecution also bears ominous portends for our region.
The recent developments and worsening situation in neighbouring Bangladesh and the spurt of infiltration across the border is a cause of concern for Meghalaya and the entire north east. India has responded on diplomatic grounds and keeping in abeyance the Indus Water Treaty etc. A positive feature has been the denunciation of the terrorist attack by the Kashmiris which reflects an organic reaction. More stringent and deterrent action, particularly better intelligence and surveillance systems are the need of the hour so that the blood of our citizens is avenged. At the same time, it is imperative that our intel apparatus also focus more seriously in the east & north east sector.
In a related context, growing proximity between Pakistan and Bangladesh after decades and China finally finding an ally in the present Bangladeshi dispensation, does not auger well for the region. In my article more than a decade ago titled, “Tackle influx before situation goes beyond redemption” (Shillong Times, 8th Aug, 2012), I had flagged that the biggest scar in the psyche of Pakistan, probably bigger than Kashmir, is the role of India in ensuring independence of East Pakistan and formation of Bangladesh. This wound is still raw. Bangladesh as a nation is a reality and irreversible. Hence the next best possible option at revenge could be efforts to target the north east. The greater or pan Bangladesh policy of ISI and other anti-Indian forces is an open secret, with countless evidence of such strategy being pursued. It is time to be vigilant and seek preventive measures, then to look for solutions after allowing the situation to go out of hand.
A sustained movement is on to weaken the country by creating schism, both from within and outside, between the multifarious religious and linguistic groups, co-existing peacefully. There is no other country in the world which can boast of such harmony. With passage of time this binding factor, which initially was an enigma, has been reflecting signs of erosion. The external strategy is to exploit the situation to foment ethnic, religious and communal discord where all Indians are the focus of attack. Illegal migration from neighbouring countries to our region has a definite agenda. The apprehension that the indigenous tribal people may be rendered minority in their own land one day, if concrete preventive measures are not adopted, is genuine. With the present Bangladesh regime adopting a hostile attitude towards our country, states like Meghalaya, bordering that country, have to be more watchful to thwart the possible nefarious Pak-Bangla designs with implicit support of China. Any danger to the demographic status of the indigenous population of the state is bound to have far reaching implications to the genuine Indians, as well, settled in the region for generations.
As our constitution has no provision to safeguard interests of smaller communities particularly their demographic status, enforcement of adequate safeguard mechanisms is imperative. It has been accepted at the international level that all small indigenous communities should be saved and allowed to survive and prosper. This has also been incorporated in the objectives of the United Nations. Are we ready and vigilant to check and counter the evil designs of such activists, who have now devised a new strategy of using the north east as an entry and transit point to reach the mainland, where chances of assimilation are much higher? A few individuals or a small organization within them may be here as trained agents of destruction. Their gruesome acts are worse than the most dreaded of diseases or even most intense of disasters- natural or otherwise. As the attention of the nation is diverted towards the north and the west, the east and the north east must also be in the radar of both state and union intelligence authorities. It is always prudent to be one step ahead instead of two steps behind. There are lessons to be learnt from the heart wrenching carnage which shook Pahalgam, while the toughening of posture from both sides signals an impending show down on land, air and water.