Even as the state of Assam celebrates the Bodo Peace Accord that has ended decades-long Bodo militancy, Prime Minister Modi has asked Maoists, Kashmiri militants and other such militant groups in the North-east to follow the path of Bodo militants who have given up arms and have joined the mainstream.
While addressing a humongous rally at Kokrajhar, which was once used to be seen as the stronghold of Bodo militancy, PM Modi said, “Be it in the left-wing extremist affected areas or in Jammu and Kashmir or all other groups in the Northeast, who still believe in the path of violence, in guns, bombs and pistols can learn from the Bodo youths and take inspiration to leave the path of violence. Let me tell one thing that violence has never brought any success, neither has it solved any problem. So I appeal to everyone today to leave the feeling of enmity and come forward to join the mainstream of society and family life.”
The Kokrajhar rally itself was organised to celebrate the Bodo Peace Accord, whereby the militant groups have given up on violence and the demand for a separate Bodoland has also been given up, thereby preserving the territorial integrity of the state of Assam.
On its part, the government agreed to a slew of measures such as vesting the Bodo Territorial Region with greater administrative, legislative, executive and financial powers, and an economic package of Rs. 1,500 crore that will be released in the concerned areas spread over a period of three years. These measures will help in mainstreaming the Bodo militants who have now shunned violence and have decided to move towards the path of peace and prosperity.
PM Modi’s remarks hold the key for bringing an end to other separatist demands and militant and terror activities in the country. It is time for other armed groups to realise that violence is an illegitimate, futile method of raising their demands. They cannot possibly match the might of the Sovereign Indian State. Their only option is to interact with the Indian State and to join the mainstream.
PM Modi’s remarks are of special significance when it comes to the issue of separatist ideology in Kashmir, which has been at the root cause of the Union Territory’s misery. The youth can play an instrumental role in a case when it comes to tackling radicalisation, separatism and militancy.
There is no reason why Kashmiri youth cannot play a role in persuading the militants to reduce their demands and to interact with the State instead of promoting religious indoctrination and radicalism that has already damaged entire generations of Kashmiri youth.
After all, the Bodoland demand had also challenged the territorial integrity of Assam. Agreed that the issue in Kashmir is much more serious with cross-border terrorism and Pakistan-sponsored elements in the valley demanding secessionism, but at the end of the day, the methods of violence used by the Bodo militants and the Kashmiri separatists are similar.
Bodo militants have however moved towards the path of prosperity. Last month, 1,615 National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) also laid down their arms in a surrender ceremony at Guwahati, Assam. The cadres deposited 178 arms, including some lethal ones, such as AK series rifle, M-16 rifle, 4803 rounds live ammunition, 14 grenades, one 2 inch mortar.
What made all the difference between the Bodo issue and the Kashmir issue was the initiative of the Bodo youth. Two Bodo youths in their twenties- one of them an IIT graduate, Thulunga Basumatary and the other a coronated prince, Rajkumar Prithviraj Narayan Dev Mech, took it upon themselves to broker peace for the Bodo people.
They visited Myanmar where they persuaded the NDFB cadres to give up arms and shun violence, of course with the prior approval of the Union Home Ministry.
Therefore, while Bodo issue came to an end, Kashmir is still suffering from the scourge of separatist violence. The story of two Bodo youths who persuaded the Bodo militants to abjure violence is thus a lesson for the Kashmiri youth.
Today, the core issue in Kashmir is radicalisation and the main challenge is how to set in the process of de-radicalisation. While we are exploring how to initiate this process, the solution could lie in educated Kashmiri youngsters.
The violent outfits must be made to understand that they cannot challenge the might of the Indian State. They get their death warrants signed the day they pick up arms against the State, something that doesn’t help the cause of development in the Valley and their people either.
The only option is to reduce their demands and to negotiate with the government. Secessionism is not a legitimate demand especially when pursued through terrorism, and they must come up with an Accord that can be adopted to pave the way for peace, stability and growth in the Kashmir region.
Also, the Bodo Peace Accord has shown how the Indian State doesn’t condemn those who surrender and lay down arms. In fact, the government supports the process of mainstreaming such rebels. Even in the case of Bodo militants, the government has announced a rehabilitation package for those who have laid down arms.
As such, waging war against the State is a futile, self-harming exercise, whereas joining the mainstream is a very lucrative option in the Indian context, which only bolsters the case for locals playing a role in appealing the rebel groups to shun violence, and opening the path for peace and prosperity.
Separatism in Kashmir has been one of the most violent and long-standing issues. Bodo violence too was 50 years old and had also claimed 4,000 lives. At least, the kind of violence in the two cases reveals an uncanny similarity. Kashmiri youth who seek peace and prosperity above all, must relate closely, even envy how Bodo youth brought the region and their people into the mainstream.
In Bodo Peace Accord also lies the path for peace and prosperity in Kashmir, something that the educated Kashmiri locals and youths must recognise and embrace as soon as possible.