The state's secret document

Ninglun Hanghal *

A Training on security for North East citizens by Delhi Police :: 07 March 2013

A "high level" committee was formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the aftermath of the sensational uproar by the north east youths over the death of 19 year old Nido Tania on January 31. The said committee submitted its findings and recommendation report on July 9 to the Minister of State for Home Shri Kiren Rijiju. The terms of reference were to examine the kinds of concerns regarding security, causes behind attacks/ violence against the North East people in metro cities and suggest measures and legal remedies to address the issues / concerns to the government of India.

The committee, formed in early February, comprise of retired bureaucrats headed by M.P Bezbaruah , others include HWT Syeim, Alemtemshi Jamir, Tape Bagra, P Bharat Singh with S Saha, an official of MHA, as its member Secretary. Later, on February 17, H.T Sangliana (Rtd) IPS, Robin Hibu ( nodal Delhi Police officer for NE) Marina Nido ( mother of Nido Tania) and two student union representatives were included. Later few social activists were added in the list.

In the initial formation the committee faced stiff opposition from the NE protesters. Obviously, it somehow managed to sail through and completed the task.

According to the report accessed by IANS, there were sixty recommendations in the exhaustive and comprehensive document. Some of the recommendation that were highlighted in the IANS suggest for transfer of more NE – IPS into the cities and recruitment of NE youths in the police department. The report strongly points fingers towards the NE exclusive DoNER Ministry to shape up its knowledge and understanding of the region it governs, which the reports finds is lacking among the personals and head of the said Ministry.

The recommendations also suggest for initiating "trade unions" and draw attention for addressing women specific issues. The IANS reports stated that suggestions were put forward for constructions of equal number of hostels for both boys and girls. It suggested that calendars highlighting festivals of the NE should be published for wide circulation.

The report also recommended that a Body be constituted for allocating funds for crisis situation for the northeast communities in metro cities. The Northeast helpline number – 1093 – to be extended across the country, the IANS report quoted. The committee also suggest fort taking up measures to enable teachers from the northeast and other states for better understanding among each other.

Meanwhile few of the national media have also published bits and pieces of information about the Bezbaruah Report from different sources. Interestingly, all the media report's source of information were anonymous. None of the media reports including IANS named any committee members or the Ministry where the report was submitted. The Ministry's Press Release on July 9 itself has no content except few lines on the ToR and that "the report" was submitted to the MoSH.

As it stands, the report was not made public. The student leaders and social activist representatives who were part of the committee in different capacities do not have access to the document, nor any of the north east media persons.

It may-be recalled that, during the marathon exercise the Committee met experts on "security" and conflicts managements, such as the centre's Interlocutor on Jammu and Kashmir, besides others including media persons both national and local papers. Information from the Delhi Police nodal officer for North East stated that the Bezbaruah committee held a wide range of meetings/discussion with Government departments, centre and state (Delhi) Police, Educational Institutions and North East community, professionals at large.

Here comes the pertinent question, whether the north east youths' grievances, uproar and street protest for justice and safety were perceived a threat to the nation? In whatever form and content, don't the North East people, the general public have the right to information about the content of a document that concerns his/ her life and welfare?

It may be reminded again that , the matter is the issue of "safety of NE people in Metros cities in India". Looking back at the Terms of Reference it has prominently stated that the MHA Committee's job is to look into the reason for attacks against NE people and come out with measures to address the problems, at least some if not all.

As per the process and eventual ending of the "high level committee" appears to converged into a "national security" issue, as the "report" became a "hush hush affair" and the committee members an anonymous persons.

It cannot but be concluded that "security" rather "safety of NE in metros" in any form or manner if related to North East India and its people is perceived from the angle of "national security". This is amply clear that the much hyped Bezbaruah committee ended in secrecy and the report eventually becomes a secret document, thus a "state secret". Though the issue concern is of security / safety of NE people in the Metros, the Government and the Committee seems to dwell on "national security". It is further obvious that matters related to the people of north east India, be it in metro cities or elsewhere in the region is treated with "caution"

As per the IANS report the Government of India (the Home Affairs) would be zeroing down to recruiting some youths into the police force. Another is cultural festivals and initiating events to show case the North East in the "mainland", which the center Government is reportedly in the process of taking up such festivals.

Meanwhile, the objective of controlling street protest was achieved, no doubt. But problems continues unabated. Within one month of the MHA committee's submission of the report, two NE youths had lost their lives, while one died in a mysterious circumstance on 8 July, the other was beaten to death by 4-5 men on July 21. Moreover there were over 500 cases reported to the Delhi Police between the months of February to June alone. It may also be underlined that none of the cases related to North East people have so far been dispose off.

It may be reiterated again that the issue is about North east people living in metro cities. It is about crimes, violence on the streets of Delhi and metros, sexual harassment, discrimination at work place. This should be contextualized from the perspective of Local / host population vis a vis migrants, in these context the Mainlanders and the North-easterners .

Whatever said and done, the concerns and problems will remain, as long as an attempt to tackle some of this issues, such as constituting a "Committee" whose findings, observations suggestions were to remain a secret and out of reach by the stakeholders, the north east people including the local population who are equally a stakeholder in metro cities.