Intra-state Conflicts Breeding Disputes: SAFMA Moot
(Pakistan Times
| November 12, 2004)
COLOMBO (Sri Lanka): "Intra-state conflicts lend credence and provide breeding ground to disputes so faced by almost every country of South Asia including the contentious issue of Kashmir between India and Pakistan."
This was the unanimous observation of experts, senior journalists and editors who are participating a two-day conference on "Intra-State Conflicts in South Asia" being held by the Sri Lankan Chapter of SAFMA (South Asia Free Media Association) to explore the role of media in intra-state conflicts.
Social Injustices
Every participant was of the firm view that economic disparities, social injustices, poverty and inadequate distribution of resources are the root causes of intra-state conflicts or insurgencies in South Asia. Experts also noted that denial of basic human rights coupled with denial of democratic rights have also created a greater sense of discontent amongst the starving people of South Asia.
If remedial measures are not taken by governments of the region, intra-state conflicts will not only grow out of hands but also give way to a new way of militancy.
One unique sample of such tendencies was presented by a Nepalese participant who shocked the audience by disclosing that Nepal is also now facing fundamentalist threat.
Kathmandu Episodes
He also talked about burning of mosques and attack on Pakistani and Iraqi missions in Kathmandu after the execution of 12 Nepalese by a Iraqi terrorist group last month. "This has never happened before in Nepal and suddenly Hindutwa and Islamists are emerging" he remarked adding that we not only have to identify these forces but take strict action against them. "But it is quite worrying tendency".
The Conference was opened by Sri Lankan Information and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera who said that time has come to initiate a free and frank discussion for the organisation genuinely committed to free media culture on why state owned media institutions are pushed into the unhappy position of being the sole propagator of the government.
Minister Mangala was defending his government's policy who sometimes comes down heavily on private media and misuse state media excessively to project the President.
The Victims
Lot of media persons have fallen victim to intra-state conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE who has withdrawn from the peace negotiations since May 2003.
On the opening day five papers were read on intra-state conflicts in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh with scores of references to Pakistan and India. Participants noted with concern that most of the intra-state conflicts faced by smaller South Asian states were directly or indirectly linked with that country’s relations with India.
The Sri Lankan experts traced Indian hand in the growth of LTTE activists who not only received training by India but also arms during the initial years of their resistance.
LTTE is now a formidable resisting force and poses a constant threat to the government of President Chandrika Bandaranaika Kumaratunga.
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