The gruesome murder and unceremonious burial of two manual workers, and the brutal torture of a minor student almost to the brink of death by members of an armed militant group who are currently under the “Suspension of Operation (SoO)” agreement with the state and the central government to felicitate peace talks aimed at bringing about a mutual understanding and subsequently the weaning of these individuals and groups from armed protest or resistance, yet once again brings to the fore the bitter truth behind the rosy picture the state and the central government has been trying so desperately to portray to the public. This is not the first instance of these members or ‘cadres’ of such groups who, despite being provided designated camps, have gone out of the way to create disturbances and even posing threats to the lives of the general public. Reports of various atrocities being committed by the members including, but not limited to extortions, armed threats, vandalisms, thefts, robbery etc have been coming in far more frequently than the public would care to keep track of. Such increasing instances are beginning to prove the lingering suspicions of the public regarding the authenticity of their intent, and the resolve of the government to bring peace and normalcy to the state. it has been proven enough times that these cadres, or at least some unscrupulous ones are given the liberty to carry out their own nefarious activities without any restraint, and that they are being accorded certain level of immunity. Clearly, the flagrant abuse of the ground rules should have been a cause for concern for the authorities, but the unfolding realities suggests otherwise. What could be the reason for the unreasonably soft treatment of such abusive and inherently dangerous practices by these terrorists? Something had gone terribly wrong somewhere in this whole SoO fiasco. Some former cadres and groups have even taken up arms after making public their disillusionment with the whole liberalized surrender drama being carried out with much pomp and grandeur by the state government. The state government must take immediate measures to ensure such unwanted incidents are not repeated ever in the future. A critical review and course correction of the present system and the terms and conditions as well as their strict implementation is the need of the hour. The velvet glove must come off and exemplary punishment must be meted out to those failing to observe the rules. At the same time, the government must take increased interest into the welfare of the members and cater to their genuine demands and needs. They must be made to feel like the responsible and law abiding citizens the government is striving to reconvert them into.
