'M.P. ngawi reng' ti a tun hma atanga kan M.P. neih tawh zahawm tak takte an sel fo lai hian Dr. H. Lallungmuana hian kum khat awrh chauh M.P. (Lok Sabha) nih ve chhung khan huaisen takin Parliament chhungah ram hruaitu lawk pui pui karah Mizo nationalism chungchang au chhuahpuiin, India sorkarin Mizote leh hmarchhaka chengte min enkawl dan dik lo a sawi chhuak ngam a ni.
SHRI H. LALLUNGMUANA (MIZORAM): Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is my first chance to speak in the House. Even after five months, this is my maiden speech. I was almost tempted to feel as though I have no say in this House; I have not been a part of the Parliament since I could not be given any chance to speak. No one else speaks about Mizoram because I am the only MP who has not yet been given a chance to speak. This is a very important day that I have been given a chance to speak.
When we talk of the North-East, we all know, that there have been insurgencies almost in every State of the North-East -- Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, Manipur and Tripura. Why is there insurgency after insurgency? What is the root cause of insurgency in the North-East? How can we find out the real cause of the insurgency in the North-East? What is the solution or the remedy for this? What will be the answer to this trouble?
17.27 hrs (Shri K. Yerrannaidu in the Chair)
There may be different kinds of factors bringing about insurgency in the different States. There must be a root cause common to all.
During the British period, most of the North-East areas had been outside India. It was not within India. But with the Independence of India, these parts were brought under the Indian Union. Now we are celebrating the Fifty years of our Independence. All these Fifty years of Independence, the North-East people, particularly the Mizos have been trying to learn to become Indians. They have totally failed. What do we see in the North-East? We see only insurgency. Why? There must be a root cause for this. The main cause of this insurgency is the feeling of being insecured in the minds of the people of this land. They have a sense and feeling of insecurity and isolation. Even till now, most of the people in the remote areas do not know whether they are inside India or outside India as there is no positive role of the Government of India. I do not totally blame the Government of India. I have to blame even the State Government also to some extent. I do not have to hide anything. We do not expect lip sympathies but we accept the reality. Shri Kyndiah has spoken about Mizos.
In 1966 insurrection and insurgency broke out in Mizoram. What was the real cause of that? A spark neglected, burns the house. There was a great famine in Mizoram in 1959. But the people were very much dissatisfied with the treatment that they got from the Assam Government. So, there came a sort of an association like Mizo National Famine Front. No timely treatment was given to it. Because of that, the Famine Front turned into the MNF, a rebel organisation, demanding full independence from India.
But fortunately after 20 long years...
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now.
SHRI H. LALLUNGMUANA : Sir, this is my maiden speech. Please give me some time. There is no one to speak from Mizoram except me. Within five months, it is the only time I am getting. Please understand.
When the Peace Accord was signed in 1986, the people rejoiced. The Government of India was also very happy. We, the people, were also very happy expecting some reality from the Peace Accord. But the unfortunate thing is that the fulfilment of the provisions of the Peace Accord, till now, is not coming true. People are expecting something real from the Government of India.
For example, a separate University for Mizoram, has not come even after 12 years of the Peace Accord. There is no separate High Court in Mizoram which was a promise in the Peace Accord. There is no effective border trade even till now. For all these things that we are receiving now, the people are very discontented and very disappointed. So, the situation in Mizoram -- even though it is the most peaceful State in the North-East and even among the Indian States -- there is no progress or development at all. There is no infrastructure. The educated people are jobless. There is no employment opportunity for them. Of course, Mizoram stands the second highest in terms of literacy in India next to Kerala. It has got about 86 per cent literacy rate. But many educated people are jobless there. It is a hilly region. Agriculture could not be done very properly. They remain jobless. They remain doing nothing. So, they attempted to do something. Even it is not good, it will be a bad one.
But till now, it is very fortunate that we remain peaceful. But if the situation regarding employment and other things remain like this, I am afraid, a day may come when the youth who have not experienced the effect of the insurrection, will resort to take arms and rebellion. So, something is to be done now. The solution lies not in increasing the number of military people.
Let me tell you one experience of mine. During 1974, I was teaching in a college. Then, military operation during the mid night was there. My door was kicked by the military people and they forced to enter into my house. I did not allow this. I said, "Unless you bring some witness, you will not be allowed." Then they challenged me. They threatened to kill me. I said, "If you want to kill me, you kill me. I am a Class-I Gazetted Officer. I will not allow anybody who is against the Constitution." Then he said, "What did he do wrong?" Then I said, "You have the right. About your special act, I know. But you do not have the right to enter my house without two witnesses. You bring only one witness." Then he said, "Military people can do anything here in Mizoram." Then I said, "I do not see anybody who is able to do anything. Even the Prime Minister or the President of India cannot do anything he likes. If he does so, he is beyond the law, he will become outlaw. If you can do anything you like here, you become outlaw. You are the enemy of India. I will tell you. These people never see what is India. They do not know what is India like? You are the representative of India. If you do not follow the rules and acts of procedure or the Indian Penal Code, then India is the country which never respect any human rights here. How can you win the hearts of the people?" This is what I challenged him. Then at last, he could not refute.
Now, the solution lies in the heart-winning policy, in the confidence-making policy of the Government of India. Let us give employment, let us give something to do to the youth now. This is the solution.
Another thing, which I want to point out is that on the part of the State Government, there is a great misuse of money in the North-Eastern region. This is also the cause of trouble there. So, the Central Government should follow a little bit rigid and strict financial management.
Do not give forgiveness or too much of condonation or such sort of things to the existing administration. Even as such corruption is too rampant. The beneficiaries should be reached with any amount sanctioned for them. Unless these measures are taken, how can we have the feeling of greatness for India? Let us show a good India to the people of the North-East. Then only will we win their hearts and real peace will come through the development.
I would like to thank the hon. Members of this House for paying full attention to the discussion on the North-East in regard to insurgency. I would like to talk about the state of Nagaland as most of the speakers have centered around their discussion on Nagaland and if I was an examiner today, I would have given hon. Member Shri Indrajit Gupta hundred per cent marks for what he stated today on the issue of Nagaland. Because this insurgency problem has been centered around the State of Nagaland, the genesis, as our MP Shri Kalita said the day before yesterday, has originated from the State of Nagaland. Therefore, the State of Nagaland which exists today is the State which was formed as the 16th State in the Indian Union with the agreement signed in 1963 between the people of Nagaland and the Government of India, known as the 16 Point Agreement. The State of Nagaland was formed out of political necessity and it was also understood that this State would not be an economically viable State.
The State of Nagaland had its first upheaval in 1929 during the Simon Commission period. As it passed through the independence day in 1953, the upheaval was at its peak. There was a problem because the Army which had been sent there to contain the law and order had mismanaged the entire situation and it was out of control. The Army had gone in and committed a lot of atrocities. On the other side, the radicals had taken up arms and started a guerilla warfare. For a period of more than ten years there had been a conflict. In 1994 a cease-fire was declared between the Government of India and the Naga Federal Government. This talk had been taking place for six to seven rounds. On one side there were the underground leaders and on the other side the Government of India led by the Prime Minister, the then Prime Minister Shrimati Indira Gandhi, was there. But the peace talk failed after two years and the situation was very tense. One and a half decades later three factions were formed in the State of Nagaland which consists of NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and NNC which has the Government known as the Naga Federal Government.
A series of talks have taken place between their leaders and the former Prime Ministers Shri H.D. Deve Gowda and Shri I.K. Gujral. I believe Shri Gujral has also met the leaders of the NSCN (IM) in Geneva. But today this dialogue has been handed over to a few people who are I think the nominees of the Government of India. I think, a proper approach should be made because it has already been said by many Army Generals and politicians that it is a political problem which cannot be solved by the Army. Right now, we have more than four corps, each consisting of three divisions but till today, for forty-five years, this insurgency problem has not been contained. There are only a handful of five thousand to six thousand insurgents, who are highly trained but they are getting increased in numbers today. Therefore, how do we find a solution?
The younger generation should be given more attractive jobs because small jobs like chowkidars which are sponsored by the Government of India are not helping. The jobs are advertised in some other States, appointments are made there and people are posted there. On top of that, there is no industrial activity. There is no economic development also because every time something comes up for development, they are sabotaged by the insurgents. The Government of Nagaland is facing another problem because people who have surrendered have been accommodated in the Government service as peons, chowkidars, etc. We have a very heavy backlog of salaries as the Government of India is also giving only a small amount which cannot help pay up the salaries of the police personnel in the State.
In the Sixteen-Point Agreement, in point 2, it has been stated that the Ministry-in charge of Nagaland shall be the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India. Now, it has been brought under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This is flouting the agreement. Then, in point 11, there is a provision for financial assistance from the Government of India to supplement the revenues of the Nagaland. There is also a provision for the Government of India to pay out of the Consolidated Fund of India under 11 (1) a lump sum each year for the development programmes in the State of Nagaland and under 11 (2) a Grant-in-Aid towards meeting the cost of administration.
If the Government of India is really keen to solve this problem, I think, we have to look at it this way. I will now quote what the hon. Prime Minister has recently stated about the State of Jammu and Kashmir: `The massive unemployment of the youths in the State of Jammu and Kashmir has been a contributory factor in the growth of militancy.' If this is so with the State of Jammu and Kashmir, it is the same with the State of Nagaland. Therefore, it cannot be bifurcated. This is the same problem which we are facing.
One aspect that I would like to point out to hon. Members is that the problem of Nagaland is quite unlike the Kashmir problem in that we have no tug of war between Pakistan and India. This is a problem of secession. They want to secede from this country. So, if we want to keep this State as part of the big nation that is India, I think, we should look into the development programmes and give adequate funds.
There are two or three points that I would like to add. Some Corporations have been existing since the inception of the State. A lot of people who have surrendered have been accommodated in these Corporations. Today, the State is not able to pay up the salaries. They are not able to run these industries. There is a heavy backlog of liabilities and they have taken loans from the banks and private borrowers. Recently, the Supreme Court of India has put a ban on movement of all forest products. There is a Corporation known as the Nagaland Forest Products Limited, Tizit in Mon District which is really building up a huge liability. I think, the Government of India should quickly come to its rescue. The ban has resulted in piling up of huge stocks of raw material and finish products. The business of the Corporation has come to stand still. For several years may workers have been rendered jobless.
The Centre should give financial assistance to pay for the huge liabilities. The amount that is due to the Government of India should be waived off as it happened in the case of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir so that the State Government is able to function and contain the law and order problem.
With these few words I conclude.
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