BLESSED ARE THE MILITANTS
By Manas Paul
Blessed are the militants. Literally. If you do not really believe it ask Jogendra Debbarma alias Joshua Debbarma alias Bubagra Barnabbas Borok- the former Chief Advisor of the NLFT. Joshua had direct communication with Jesus Christ with whom he converses on various important topics every night and it was actually the Lord Himself who guided him to the path of militancy and asked him to convert Hindu tribals at gun point. At least that is what he claimed. To strengthen his claim - which might have sounded preposterous even to some of his semi-literate bunch of comrades in arm- Joshua went a step farther changing his name to 'Bubagra' which in kokbork is synonymous with Lord or King! Joshua's point was that he happened to be the reincarnation of Hamtorpha- the 118th Tripura king who ruled the state around 580 ad and as such on his human entity all the divinity were showered upon. Still you are not convinced. Ok, let us read out a part of NLFT's statement issued on November 8, 2001: "In 1998 D Zoshua wanted to leave the party for not being accepted as the King of Tripura on the basis of his claim as the reincarnation of King Hamtorpha. When all the arrangements were made to send him back home he refused to leave the party on the pretext that he was told by Christ that he must continue in the party". It was Barnabbas (Joshua a ka Zoshua) himself who came up with the notion that he was in contact with God as he was the man chosen by Christ". It is, however, a different story that ultimately NLFT Biswamohan faction chased out the Lord's chosen fellow from the outfit with Nayanbashi Jamatia. Tripura militancy had always thrown up many an interesting facet. And in the list of such curious characters of the Tripura militancy the latest inclusion is 'retirement' benefit for the militants. The retirement benefit, however, does not come from the militants' ill begotten coffer but from the government in the form of 'rehabilitation package'. Militancy in Tripura, as popularly acknowledged by now, is for all intents and purposes a flourishing business syndicate. But not many would certainly have ever expected that the militants would agree to this fact until Monday when All Tripura Tiger Force came out in open with a statement that Ratna alias Michael Debbarma and Rajani alias Joel Debbarma were asked to go for 'retirement'. The statement said Ratna was sick and Rajani's wife had indulged in 'anti-constitutional' activities affecting the out fit. They with their wives left the outfit in consultation with the senior militant leaders and surrendered before the police. The police as usual claimed 'there was split and the militants were frustrated'. Expectedly they would now be entitled for 'rehabilitation' package. After all, each of them had reward to the tune of Rs 2 lakh and more on his head. Both of them were responsible for killing of several innocent law abiding people including children, women and elderly people in several places including Panchabati, Singicherra, Bazar Colony etc. It is, indeed, unique with the business of blood spilling militancy in Tripura that when many an educated youth in normal life finds it hard to get a meaningful employment, the people who killed, kidnapped and raped would get government support to start a new life. They slaughter innocent law abiding people for years together and all of a sudden as they think of 'peace' and seek to work for the 'betterment of the people' they become eligible for 'rehabilitation' at the people's money. Look at Mr. Bijoy Hrangkhawl or Mr Lalit Debbarma. Both of them wanted to be 'President' or something like that of 'Independent Tripura'. So they led their outfits to commit mindless violence for years expecting that would be able to drive out the 'foreigners'. And one fine morning we are told that they became the beacon of peace- with sufficient political patronage, of course. Somebody might argue -the end justifies the means. The would-be 'presidents of Independent Tripura' were happy to become a salaried 'chairman' of some obscure corporation. TNV supremo Mr. Hrangkhawl somehow could pull on to access higher position and become a people's representative elected by popular mandate. One of the ATPLO members Khagendra Jamatia made it higher to the ministerial position. But, where is Mr. Lalit Debbarma- the president of All Tripura Tribal Force? Last time I heard of him was some 10 years ago when his name came to light in connection with a heist in which Rs five lakh had been looted from a jeep. The booty and SLR bullets were recovered from his official residence. At that time also he was 'chairman' of the corporation. Despite the fact that such recovery from someone's residence instantly invites arrests our guardians of law conveniently failed to do precious little to bring him to book. Ostensibly, Mr Debbarma had the political blessings. The least is told about another leader Nayanbashi is better. The former TSR jawan, who could make it big, even went to 'Raj Bhawan for a courtesy call'. He ultimately vanished into oblivion. Nayanbashi wanted to sign the 'peace agreement' with an assurance that he should be made 'Chief Minister of Tripura' with the entire fund for tribal welfare in his personal account. As expected, the government was neither in the mood to elevate Nayanbashi to the level of Lal Denga, nor to fatten his bank balance. Nayanbashi with his militancy credentials, nevertheless, was blessed with four wives in underground. His last, reported marriage was with Tahera Begum, daughter of Bangladeshi dacoit Abu Mian. If these are personal achievements of the militant leaders, some of their cohorts had their own interesting antics too. For example Aranyapada Jamatia, whose area of operation was Takarjala area, was evidently fascinated by Gabbar Singh. Aranyapada- known as Borok Raja- happens to be the only militant in the annals of insurgency in these parts of the world who rode a horse. He would lead his murderous band riding a horse. His horse would escape with him soon after the attacks or extortion. But one day his horse developed cold feet and did not run. Aranyapada was arrested and so was his horse. The court sent Aranyapada to jail and gave the horse to the custody of forest department. The horse was taken to Sipahijala Zoo. Next time, when you visit Sipahijala find out Nabalak Mian, who runs a tea stall at the gate. Nabalak Mian applied to the forest department for the custody of the horse so that he could earn some money using it for children's joy ride. Forest department was more than happy as they had found horse in the zoo of no use. But apparently the militant's horse did not like his new job sans any excitement and Nabalak Mian had to hand the horse back to forest department once again. Written on Jan 6, 2009
By Manas Paul
Blessed are the militants. Literally. If you do not really believe it ask Jogendra Debbarma alias Joshua Debbarma alias Bubagra Barnabbas Borok- the former Chief Advisor of the NLFT. Joshua had direct communication with Jesus Christ with whom he converses on various important topics every night and it was actually the Lord Himself who guided him to the path of militancy and asked him to convert Hindu tribals at gun point. At least that is what he claimed. To strengthen his claim - which might have sounded preposterous even to some of his semi-literate bunch of comrades in arm- Joshua went a step farther changing his name to 'Bubagra' which in kokbork is synonymous with Lord or King! Joshua's point was that he happened to be the reincarnation of Hamtorpha- the 118th Tripura king who ruled the state around 580 ad and as such on his human entity all the divinity were showered upon. Still you are not convinced. Ok, let us read out a part of NLFT's statement issued on November 8, 2001: "In 1998 D Zoshua wanted to leave the party for not being accepted as the King of Tripura on the basis of his claim as the reincarnation of King Hamtorpha. When all the arrangements were made to send him back home he refused to leave the party on the pretext that he was told by Christ that he must continue in the party". It was Barnabbas (Joshua a ka Zoshua) himself who came up with the notion that he was in contact with God as he was the man chosen by Christ". It is, however, a different story that ultimately NLFT Biswamohan faction chased out the Lord's chosen fellow from the outfit with Nayanbashi Jamatia. Tripura militancy had always thrown up many an interesting facet. And in the list of such curious characters of the Tripura militancy the latest inclusion is 'retirement' benefit for the militants. The retirement benefit, however, does not come from the militants' ill begotten coffer but from the government in the form of 'rehabilitation package'. Militancy in Tripura, as popularly acknowledged by now, is for all intents and purposes a flourishing business syndicate. But not many would certainly have ever expected that the militants would agree to this fact until Monday when All Tripura Tiger Force came out in open with a statement that Ratna alias Michael Debbarma and Rajani alias Joel Debbarma were asked to go for 'retirement'. The statement said Ratna was sick and Rajani's wife had indulged in 'anti-constitutional' activities affecting the out fit. They with their wives left the outfit in consultation with the senior militant leaders and surrendered before the police. The police as usual claimed 'there was split and the militants were frustrated'. Expectedly they would now be entitled for 'rehabilitation' package. After all, each of them had reward to the tune of Rs 2 lakh and more on his head. Both of them were responsible for killing of several innocent law abiding people including children, women and elderly people in several places including Panchabati, Singicherra, Bazar Colony etc. It is, indeed, unique with the business of blood spilling militancy in Tripura that when many an educated youth in normal life finds it hard to get a meaningful employment, the people who killed, kidnapped and raped would get government support to start a new life. They slaughter innocent law abiding people for years together and all of a sudden as they think of 'peace' and seek to work for the 'betterment of the people' they become eligible for 'rehabilitation' at the people's money. Look at Mr. Bijoy Hrangkhawl or Mr Lalit Debbarma. Both of them wanted to be 'President' or something like that of 'Independent Tripura'. So they led their outfits to commit mindless violence for years expecting that would be able to drive out the 'foreigners'. And one fine morning we are told that they became the beacon of peace- with sufficient political patronage, of course. Somebody might argue -the end justifies the means. The would-be 'presidents of Independent Tripura' were happy to become a salaried 'chairman' of some obscure corporation. TNV supremo Mr. Hrangkhawl somehow could pull on to access higher position and become a people's representative elected by popular mandate. One of the ATPLO members Khagendra Jamatia made it higher to the ministerial position. But, where is Mr. Lalit Debbarma- the president of All Tripura Tribal Force? Last time I heard of him was some 10 years ago when his name came to light in connection with a heist in which Rs five lakh had been looted from a jeep. The booty and SLR bullets were recovered from his official residence. At that time also he was 'chairman' of the corporation. Despite the fact that such recovery from someone's residence instantly invites arrests our guardians of law conveniently failed to do precious little to bring him to book. Ostensibly, Mr Debbarma had the political blessings. The least is told about another leader Nayanbashi is better. The former TSR jawan, who could make it big, even went to 'Raj Bhawan for a courtesy call'. He ultimately vanished into oblivion. Nayanbashi wanted to sign the 'peace agreement' with an assurance that he should be made 'Chief Minister of Tripura' with the entire fund for tribal welfare in his personal account. As expected, the government was neither in the mood to elevate Nayanbashi to the level of Lal Denga, nor to fatten his bank balance. Nayanbashi with his militancy credentials, nevertheless, was blessed with four wives in underground. His last, reported marriage was with Tahera Begum, daughter of Bangladeshi dacoit Abu Mian. If these are personal achievements of the militant leaders, some of their cohorts had their own interesting antics too. For example Aranyapada Jamatia, whose area of operation was Takarjala area, was evidently fascinated by Gabbar Singh. Aranyapada- known as Borok Raja- happens to be the only militant in the annals of insurgency in these parts of the world who rode a horse. He would lead his murderous band riding a horse. His horse would escape with him soon after the attacks or extortion. But one day his horse developed cold feet and did not run. Aranyapada was arrested and so was his horse. The court sent Aranyapada to jail and gave the horse to the custody of forest department. The horse was taken to Sipahijala Zoo. Next time, when you visit Sipahijala find out Nabalak Mian, who runs a tea stall at the gate. Nabalak Mian applied to the forest department for the custody of the horse so that he could earn some money using it for children's joy ride. Forest department was more than happy as they had found horse in the zoo of no use. But apparently the militant's horse did not like his new job sans any excitement and Nabalak Mian had to hand the horse back to forest department once again. Written on Jan 6, 2009
HA ha ha ha ha ha ha! well, that was a pretty good treat, Manasda! Reincarnation of King indeed! Bunch of hypocrats; all fanatics in the world are but of the same colour beneath the skin.
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