New Nuisance and Nexus in North-east

The recent reports of extortion and violence by Jewel Gorlosa’s faction of the Dima Halam Daogah [DHD (J)] began to surface following the 2007-2008 split of the Thuingaleng Muivah and Issac Chishi Swu faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland/Nagalim [NSCN (IM)] in what was seen as a move to unite Naga undergrounds and formation of NSCN (Unified) resulting in almost isolating Tangkhuls that dominated the former DHD. This apparently was an offshoot formed by disgruntled elements of Dimasa National Security Force, which surrendered in mass in 1995 and was cultivated by NSCN (IM) and agreed to a cease-fire with the Government on January 1, 2003.

Jewel Gorlosa, did not agree to the ceasefire with the rest of the group and formed the DHD (J), aka Black Widow which became the most powerful group in North Cachar (NC) Hills and stepped up its activities since early 2008 with active assistance by the now marginalized NSCN (IM). While its stated aim is a separate Dimasaland, its activities are extortion and terror.

Recently, more details of the links between and the political leaders have been published. The Indian Express of May 21, 2008, quoted Assam’s Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi saying that the Black Widow had strength of ‘just about 100 boys’ but added that it had ‘full backing’ of the NSCN (IM). “The DHD (J) has the full backing and support of the NSCN (IM) and so also the Kuki National Front and some other groups in the state. And the NSCN (IM) wants to create disturbance in the whole region,” he said. Gogoi also alleged that the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), a regional party, and the district unit of the BJP had a nexus with the DHD (J) and even the NSCN (IM). Gogoi further stated, “There is a nexus between the Executive Council of the NC Hills Autonomous Council and the DHD (J) and NSCN (IM). We have got evidence that ASDC leader Prakanta Warissa and Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Depolal Hojai have links with underground groups.” The NC Hills Autonomous Council, which comes under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, is run by the ASDC-BJP combine, which had defeated the Congress in the election, held in January. But though the elected Council runs the district, powers regarding law and order are vested with the state government.

According to The Telegraph of May 22, Dispur has decided to institute a commission of inquiry to probe links between some senior members of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous District Council and DHD (J), which had recently killed about twenty people in a series of attacks. The state government has directed police to register cases against those facing specific charges. On being asked what steps were being taken to contain the violence in the volatile district, government spokesman Himanta Biswa Sarma said, ‘at least three ruling members of the council belonging to the ASDC — chief executive member Debulal Hojai, executive member Mohit Hojai and former MP Prakanta Warisa — allegedly have ties with militants.’ As per evidence furnished by the police and Raj Bhavan, they are also responsible for diverting funds meant for the council through two contractors. “Accordingly, the government has decided to act against those having specific charges and also constitute a commission of inquiry to get to the bottom of the truth. We are also ready for a CBI probe or willing to set up a judicial commission if the Opposition demands,” Sarma said. The alleged charges against Warisa were that of striking a deal with senior NSCN (I-M) functionary VS Atem in 2006 to win the Assembly elections while Debulal Hojai and Mohit Hojai are said to have helped and harboured DHD (J) rebels who killed 75 people since January. While Debulal is related to DHD (J) commander-in-chief Niranjan Hojai, Mohit is related to Maurang Hojai, an area commander. Debulal is said to have given a government job to Niranjan during his first term. A judicial statement signed by arrested DHD member — Action Dimasa — said they used to collect and store arms and ammunition at Debulal Hojai’s place.

Moreover, mobile records of two arrested DHD (J) cadres showed that they were in constant touch with these leaders. Thirdly, according to information provided by Raj Bhavan, a figure of Rs 10 crore was diverted to the coffers of the DHD (J) through two contractors — RS Gandhi and another called Ali that was meant for the council against various bills.

As to why the government took so long to wake up to the politician-militant nexus though armed with proof, the minister said, “We have started now because we got the information now. Moreover, the police cannot simply go and arrest these people or the Opposition will say the Congress was trying to dislodge the council. Moreover, Dispur has certain limitations under the Sixth Schedule. But we have initiated action.” The Congress had lost the autonomous council elections to the ASDC-BJP combine in December. The party, in fact, gave up the fight after militants started targeting its leaders in the district. Warisa, when contacted in Haflong, said the charges were nothing new. “The accusations have been leveled to malign my image. The charges of my links with the NSCN (I-M) first surfaced before the Assembly elections. I had cleared them myself. Even the NSCN (I-M)) had denied it. Moreover, I lost the elections to the senior most Congress leader, GC Langthasa. Everybody, including the chief minister, knows how Langthasa wins elections in the NC hills. That is why he was not included in the cabinet,” he said, hinting at Langthasa’s links with the rebels. Sarma denied the charges, saying that a man who had lost his two sons to militants and whose family is under constant threat will have will have nothing to do with militants.

While a cease fire between DHD (J) and security forces has been agreed to by the former after all these killings, given the lure of extortion, there is no guarantee that it will hold for long. These developments only confirm yet again how so-called insurgencies and terrorist movements cannot be resolved in a hurry, because there is no attempt whatsoever by Governments over the years of resolving these contentious issues affecting India’s geo-strategically important North East and thereby national security.

In fact, insurgency-terrorism have got added to the toolbox of politics and any action by security forces only amounts to ‘managing’ situations, which with the Indian establishment has many instrumentalities to end within few months, if not weeks. It is also yet another indication of the lack of sincerity of NSCN (IM)’s over the decade long cease-fire and talks with Government of India. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views either of the Editorial Committee or the Centre for Land Warfare Studies.