The glorification of militants who are willing to join the ‘mainstream’ after a very successful innings of murder and mayhem in the name of ‘revolution’ is disgusting and must be discouraged. However, there is a school of thought that believes that such militants are reformed souls and that by mainstream they indeed mean mainstream, not licensed hooliganism as has been allowed for the surrendered ULFA (SULFA) fraternity. Such school of thought must also be effectively countered. Is there any guarantee that the SULFA model will not be emulated?
Militants are welcome to join the society but there is no reason why they should be treated as a special class. Their hands are stained with the blood of innocent people. They must stand trial as other criminals do. Those against whom there are no cases must work to earn a living. They must live the life of an ordinary citizen.
The question is what kind of example we are setting for the future generation to follow. That you can pick a gun and pretend to abjure violence one fine day when you realize that there is a classic rehabilitation package awaiting you? Or, that whenever you pick a gun and spray bullets on innocent people, you will be punished duly, without fail? |
