Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known for his bold gestures, especially in terms of outreach to various constituencies, both in India and abroad. He is also known for the symbolism of spending important national and festive occasions with Indian troops. Our countrymen, at large, appreciate these gestures, given particularly the salience of spots such as Ladakh, the LoC and the Himachal-Tibet border.
I believe now is the time to make one such grand gesture. This would be for the Prime Minister to participate in Christmas Eve celebrations in Kohima on December 24 and participate in Christmas festivities in Nagaland amongst the people there on Christmas day. He should then proceed to join troops for Christmas lunch at the Indian Army’s 164 Territorial Army battalion in Zakhama to felicitate the Indian Army’s Naga Regiment Territorial Army unit as they partake in Christmas festivities. These two gestures together would serve to, not only focus national attention on the northeast, but will also serve as an emollient to the Naga people, shocked as they are from the recent massive mishap in which poor miners lost their lives.
Coffins of the 13 people who were killed by armed forces, during their funeral in Mon district | PTI
ALSO READ: After Mon massacre, BJP has an AFSPA dilemma
Additionally, morale, both of the military and of the population, will be boosted if the PM were to recognize the sacrifices and achievements of Naga soldiers in the Army. To those that are not aware, the Territorial Army's 164 Batallion is affiliated to the Indian Army’s Naga Regiment and has produced brave soldiers like Major David Manlun who was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest decoration for counter-insurgency operations.
I have a personal connection to the northeast and to Nagaland, as a 40-year veteran of the Indian Army. Like a lot of soldiers of my generation, when I was first commissioned as a young Lieutenant in the Army, my initial postings were in the then very restive northeast, where we were then dealing with raging insurgencies in Nagaland and Mizoram. A couple of years later in 1971, when I went into battle as part of LT Gen Sagat Singh’s drive from Tripura to Dhaka, we had to stay alert given the situations in Mizoram and Nagaland. Our nation has come a long way since then. Today we have peace in Mizoram. The mainland and the northeast are gradually strengthening their bonds, and a lot of that has been achieved by the painstaking effort put in by civil society members in the northeast, and by the state and central governments, and the Indian Army.
We unfortunately now have a situation, where the massive accident resulting in the death of innocent Naga miners could light up the dormant embers, and violently unravel the peace that has been built over the last two decades. The whole country, but particularly the people of Nagaland, the government and the security forces have huge stakes involved in ensuring that the peace process does not collapse. While a lot needs to happen before the Indian state can reach a comprehensive accord with the Naga groups, it is at times like this that grand gestures, suffused with the right kind of emotion and sentiment, said in the right words can make a huge difference. All of us, after all, react and respond to words and emotions, and this is the right time to display some of that.
The PM’s message should be one of unreserved apology to the Naga people and an open-hearted admission of a mistake by the Indian Army. The lives are lost, but an open confession of mea culpa amongst the people of Nagaland, on the occasion of Christmas will, I think, strike a deep chord with the people there. Following this, I would also recommend recognizing the unparalleled valour of the Naga soldier, who has stood firm with the Indian Army right through Kargil, 1971, 1965, and all through the counter-insurgency operations in the northeast. Naga soldiers like Captain Kenguruse of 2 Raj Rif in Kargil and Major David Manlun of Naga Regiment TA have now passed into the nation’s collective memory, and it is only fitting that their bravery and service to the nation is recognized by the PM with his presence with the Naga TA battalion in Zakhama.
There are times when senior leaders have to make grand gestures, very often unilateral. And then there are occasions when a politician can transform into a statesman. This is one such moment for the country and this moment must be seized.
Lt Gen Utpal Bhattacharyya (retired) served in the Indian Army for 40 years and has extensive experience in regions bordering China
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
