Peace can be the answer to non-insurgency

The other day I was reading an interesting article in a newspaper, which described and analyzed the sweeping changes that are gradually taking place in Manipur and other places in the North East. The report highlighted how the army along with some NGOs and the local administration has started developmental activities, which in fact has been a significant factor towards bringing peace in the insurgent prone state and other areas. Gone are those days of gun battles, bloodsheds and dead bodies. Manipur has started seeing a new dawn, thanks to the overall and unanimous support of the civic administration and the army. Well, after reading this report, it made me wonder, what if this idea is implemented across the whole country as an alternative yet constructive way to end terrorism. 

Well, the first thing that needs to be done is to teach, but not preach. It’s always been a tendency of the government to dictate and use force to combat any insurgency problem, without in fact trying to delve deep into the matter and end the cause which created it. Had the government done that, Maoist troubles would not have ever broken out or the demand for Telengana would not have been made. Anyways, better late than never and now our administration can really act positive to end such troubles. Using guns to frighten can do nothing but only accumulate hatred. Only by knowing and judging the sentiments of the people can a country succeed, or else it will lead to civil war, sooner or later.

The Manipur strategy can really be a great example, to be followed else where. There, you have the army and forces that have joined hands with the administration to undertake developmental activities. Starting from building roads to organizing free medical check ups, a wide range of positive steps are being taken to instill confidence and trust on the government. In fact, rehabilitation programs have also been started for the surrendered insurgents, who are now leading a comfortable life with good jobs in the government sectors. The same strategies can be undertaken in other tension prone places to promote and bring that atmosphere of peace, trustworthiness and brotherhood between the government and common people.

Of course our politicians have to be honest enough and support such initiatives and only then such initiatives can be successful. A hyperbolic statement, but then if the armed forces can, our bureaucrats and ministers can also do their bit to make the nation a better and peaceful place.

The road to peace lies in the government’s hands and unless they act, nothing can improve. Development, not bullets is the answer!