Too many youths representing different underground organisations laid down arms and surrendered to the Government of Manipur. Consequently memorandum of understanding too was signed. These youths fought for a cause and having realised the futility of waging war against the well established Government they decided to shun gun culture. Now the onus of keeping them happy lies with the Government of Manipur. Policies and programmes need to be framed to entice more of these youths to return to the national mainstream. A country like India, which is going to launch food security bill for poverty stricken people will not find problem in tackling a matter as small as giving rehabilitation package to the surrendered youths. If they are not happy they will return to the jungle life said a leader of an underground organisation, which surrendered to the Government. That was an impressive show. The youths in their prime age decided to enjoy a life different from what they had faced in the past. Surrendered youths will be getting monthly allowance of Rs 4000 plus a fixed deposit of Rs 2.5 lakhs in their name. Thousand and thousand of youths are living in jungle. Whether the amount offered will be able to attract these youths to the mainstream that is a simple question being asked. Moreover the surrendered groups did not consist of major rebel groups. By talking to the surrendered groups the Government will be able to know what is sweeping in the mindset of major rebel groups. NSCN fought for liberation of Nagaland but they are now content fighting for autonomy. Swaraj Kaushal former interlocutor of the NSCN Government of India peace talk said one must wait for the rebel leader to grow old before making initiative to bring them to the negotiating table. NSCN leaders are octogenarians. They need to take rest. Perhaps they wanted to take a good rest. If Swaraj Kaushal argument is to be taken seriously Manipur will not see the return of major rebel groups to the mainstream in the next one and half decade. Because the rebel leaders of these major organisation are still in their fifties. They are very smart and they are moving like other young men in their twenties. Manipur will continue to see pestering insurgency related problems for two decades more. This however should not desist the government of Manipur from making endeavours to bring more and more extremists to the mainstream. Manipur has not seen the return of peace. Nagaland has seen the return of peace; Mizoram too had experimented with peace. It has happened in Manipur insurgency related problems continue to torment the state and its people for the past three and half decades. Bombs would be blasted as and when extremists desire to do so. Large number of youths is at the disposal of the extremists to carry out the task, they want them to carry out. Even security men could be hired to hurl hand grenade even at the oil depot. This is a sorry state of affair, the state has been witnessing. But a change is in offing. Better days are ahead. Manipur will see the return of peace.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/better-days-are-ahead-3/