The phenomenon of sub-State actors is among the newer challenges that India faces. Some are already operating as near-State entities. Embedding themselves within the political system, they are beginning to seriously impact the domestic stability. Sub-state actors have been present in the Northeast for years, but the phenomenon is now in vogue in other parts of the country, as well.
In Assam, for instance, there are the various Bodo factions — the most prominent of which is the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Ranjan Daimari faction) — as also a host of smaller groups such as the Dima Halom Daog, the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front, the Koch Rajbanshis and the Adivasis. These are seeking to exploit the vacuum left by a weakened ULFA. In Meghalaya, new ethnic outfits such as the Garo National Liberation Army have emerged, establishing links with other militant outfits in the region. West Bengal is witnessing the emergence of groups such as the Koch Rajbanshis, the Cooch Beharis, the Adivasis and the Gorkhas, each laying claim to a separate piece of the territory. The most cohesive among these is the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, which is demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland and, to begin with, an interim authority to manage their own affairs.
Several caste groups — the Jats, the Gujjars and the Meenas — across the Northern states have of late become highly vocal and, sometimes, militant, spearheading demands for special status, reservation or quotas in jobs. Also, the separate Telengana movement in Andhra Pradesh has to be viewed from the perspective of a reaction to perceived subalternism and oppression by a dominant economic and political group. This trend of small indigenous groups staking claims to either territory or to special privileges, poses a unique long-term challenge to the Central and State authorities. Understanding how such mezzanine forces operate is important. There is again a need to distinguish between those who have to be contained and who need to be engaged.
Non-traditional security issues have also become vitally important. Our energy deficit will continue to impinge on our security, as our energy needs increase. Search for alternate sources of energy has not been productive, though we have made some progress with regard to wind and solar energy and geothermal and allied technologies. Nuclear energy promises to be our best hope, but it would take us at least three to four decades to achieve a reasonable level of self-sufficiency.
Moreover, perceptions of deprivation and exploitation pose serious problems for governments. It gives the impression that the State is unable to protect the freedoms of the poor and alienated. Movements such as the left-wing extremism often thrive on such beliefs. In a country where 18-20 per cent of the population live in conditions of poverty, this can have a cascading effect. Security is also increasingly being threatened by a growing anger over rising prices, and concerns about food security among ordinary people. It would be inappropriate to dismiss street anger as a transient emotion. If anger spreads, it can seriously threaten security, as seen in recent times in many countries in West Asia, including some that were hitherto perceived to be stable.
Also, corruption has a corroding effect on the sinews of the State. Growing corruption, combined with poor delivery of socio-economic programmes can, hence, undermine security.
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CONCLUSION
There can be no real security unless issues are handled with sensitivity and understanding. This is all the more true for a country like India, where people exist at different levels of development and face varied problems. Far more than the surge towards democracy and revolutionary change that we see in West Asia presently, it is the kind of deep-rooted anger of the people that fuelled this, and this bears watching. Anger can take many forms, and we need to be on our guard to prevent such a situation from occurring in our country, where many still live in conditions of extreme poverty. We can prevent a serious situation from developing, if our administrators develop deep insights into the country’s problems, and recognise the interrelated and interconnected nature of these problems, and their possible impact on security.
Excerpts from a lecture by West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan to the officer trainees of the IAS Professional Course, Phase I (2010 Batch) at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, on March 29