Guwahati: The banned ULFA is using the Internet to attract sympathizers for its cause, with the popular networking site Orkut being used for the purpose. ULFA is already known to be techno-savvy, with its mouthpiece Freedom updated on Internet and its statements to the media routed through email.
It is now suspected to be targeting the techno-savvy new generation and the people living outside the state, including NRIs, through forums on Orkut. There are more than 20 Orkut communities related to Assam, which in some way or the other are a platform to discuss issues of militancy in the region.
Though most forums are platforms for constructive discussions, at least a couple of them propagate a "sovereignty" campaign and are sympathetic to the cause of the militants. The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom has a large number of supporters on Orkut.
While the Asom Police is still ignorant of the fact, the Army is understood to be looking into it. One such community that is propagating a pro-ULFA campaign is called 'Freedom for our Asom', with 88 members. It describes itself as a community of people who think that "Indians have always treated Asom like a colony" and "have exploited our Asom for their benefit." It feels that Assam has a right to decide for itself.
The owner of the community identifies himself as 'Rudrajit Deodhai Phukan' and states his location to be 'free Assam' in his profile. His aim is 'economic liberation of Asom from the terrorist state called India through regionalism'.
The name is borrowed from a top ULFA leader, with the middle name used as 'Deodhai' instead of 'Dhekial' in the real name of the rebel. The community hosts a number of topics with extreme support for ULFA and its demand for 'sovereignty', with the ULFA militants termed 'freedom fighters'.
Another community 'Sanjukta Mukti Bahini, Asom' (ULFA in Assamese), propagates hate campaign against India, branding India a 'terrorist country' and the ULFA militants 'brave soldiers'. It aims "to bring together all the rebels and rebel groups of the northeastern region" to "fight against the country called India."
Its owner identifies himself as 'Hirakjyoti Mahanta', a prominent ULFA leader who was killed on December 31, 1990. Though no discussions on any topic has been initiated on the forum yet, the owner's scrapbook is filled with messages of Orkut users' supporting and criticizing his act of opening the community and using the name of the slain militant.
While many users have criticized his notion of 'freeing' Asom, many others have supported him. Hirakjyoti Mahanta is referred to by many of them as a hero.
Similar two sites of Manipur, 'UNLF' and 'Free Manipur', also propagate a 'free' Manipur. The communities maintain that Manipur had been subjected to 'colonialism' by India and they have the right to regain their 'sovereignty'.
The hate campaigns are carried out very intensely, with India viewed as an enemy nation and all outsiders' anti-nationals. Moreover, highly abusive language, with the choicest of slang and vulgar expressions, are employed in the discussions in these communities, especially whenever a member chooses to disagree with other member.
Some members of these communities speak up against their community, with many other communities in Orkut itself working on restoring peace in the state and NE region. Several communities are present, with huge memberships, which propagate a positive campaign and question the role of the militant groups in disturbing peace in the region in the name of struggle for 'sovereignty'.
While it cannot be judged how sincere is the support for militants among the Orkut users who form part of the anti-India campaign, it could be a major concern if the campaign continues unchecked. The anonymity Orkut offers to its users could be abused by ULFA members or supporters to attract sympathy for the outfit, especially among the upcoming generation.
Comments
0 comment