Media has dubbed the ongoing fight between SFs and UGs in Samtal area of south Manipur as 'Operation Burma Tour'. There are claims and counter claims of killing and recoveries by either side. When bullets are fired and bombs explode, losses on either side are inevitable.

The UGs can take advantage of a porous border and sneak into Burma with ease and strike at will. Anyway. No one wants to kill one's own people but the Non-State Actors are playing into the hands of vested interests.

It is learnt that Samtal area has been cleared of more than 120 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Hundreds more lie planted in villages and tracks where the poor suffering hill tribes live in perpetual fear of terror. So many innocent lives have been lost in IED blasts planted without pity and remorse by the UGs. Though they have suffered some casualty, SF has been able to remove many IEDs whilst quite a few still remain buried.

And surprisingly now some of the groups are questioning the very validity of SF operation as if to suggest:
why disturb the UGs,?
Why don't we leave them alone?
Why don't we let them extort the poor tribal in Samtal, kill and injure them?
Indeed why?
And who is asking these questions?

Friends of militants whose own families, mothers, sisters and daughters are safe and not subjugated in remote areas; people whose families have accommodation, food, shelter, jobs and entertainment.

Such people have now become vanguard of human rights.

Would these champions like to live under the shadow of some other tribes?
Would Nagas like to live in areas mined by Meiteis or Kuki groups and be under their control?
Would Kukis or Meiteis like such equations?
The answer is NO.

Once the Samtal area has been cleared of the militants , it will help both, the local population and the government.

The locals can attend to their fields without the fear of being maimed or killed by IEDs. About 30 persons have already lost their limbs in the past due to IEDs. Some time back local inhabitants had also staged a protest in Delhi against planting of IEDs by the militants.

People who have been displaced due to fear of IEDs can hope to come back and plough their own land. State government can initiate steps to construct roads which will help develop the remote area along its way.

It will also help in reopening of government offices in the area. Government can successfully start much needed Public distribution System (PDS) for the benefit of the locals.

So many human rights cases keep coming up against SF. At least the SF and the Government take action and book most if not all the culprits.

Who is booking the militants ? They are caught and go on bail immediately as if it is their birth right and start the dubious activities once again.

As responsible citizens we need to get together under one forum for PEACE. We want and pray constantly for peace.

God give us peace and His blessings. But how will the peace come? People, i.e., Hill tribes and Valley people need to reconcile with each other, create bond, trust and faith.

Who is stopping this? Can the Army and Assam Rifles be held responsible for this grand reconciliation to materialise?

God give us moral courage to accept the truth because truth is God and unless we accept truth we are nowhere near God.

I therefore wish and pray for that time when all of us Manipuris will get together and clear areas like Samtal ourselves.

May be then both militants and SFs will leave us alone to get on with our lives.

May be then we will live in peace blessed by God. Amen.