Recently, the Supreme Court issued show cause notices to the Gorkha Jammukti Morcha and other parties over the frequent disruption of traffic and movement along National Highway 31A, linking North Bengal and Sikkim. These caused a shortage of essential goods and items in Sikkim and hardship for the people.

It is common knowledge that the GJM is the sole architect of such mindless disruptions that have affected normal life and reduced tourist traffic to North Bengal and Sikkim, over the last three years. Its supporters block the highway for days on end to intensify its demand for a separate Gorkhaland state to be carved out of West Bengal. Parties and groups opposing the GJM allege that most of its supporters are rootless Nepalis illegally migrating from Bhutan and parts of Nepal.

The Supreme Court has moved on writ petitions filed by the Sikkim government and affected citizens. After several warnings to political parties not to block the national highway, the court has now served notice to the GJM and other parties as to why their recognition as parties should not be withdrawn because of their repeated violations of the Court's earlier directives to maintain order.

It also has sought an explanation from both the centre and West Bengal Government as to why proper steps were not taken to maintain normal traffic and movement of people during political agitations.

The inactivity of the centre and state is understandable, according to observers, As the GJM seemed to be ruling the roost in Darjeeling, authorities feared that the deployment of para-military forces or armed police personnel could spark off clashes with armed demonstrators. This hands-off attitude had offended the common citizens of Darjeeling who felt that the GJM was enjoying too much importance. The GJM was not the sole representative for Darjeeling or the hills, and leaders like Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri were not the sole spokesmen for the people either — this has been the stand taken by other parties like the AIGL, the CPRM and the GNLF. All these parties had been forcibly sidelined by the strong-arm, dictatorial methods adopted by armed GJM leaders and their musclemen.

Now universally condemned after the murder of veteran AIGL leader Madan Tamang by armed GJM supporters, Gurung and Giri are under pressure. Their response to the show cause notice has been placatory, if not at all consistent with the truth. The GJM has claimed that its supporters were never involved in blocking the highways, or attacking vehicles and tourists, looting money and other items from them along the highways!

Observers wonder why the court has adopted a proactive stance towards the developments in North Bengal and ignored what has been happening in the North East.

Naga activists have blockaded Manipur economically for over two months, by stopping all traffic along national highway 39, in protest against the refusal of Manipur government to allow NSCN leader T. Muivah to visit his native village (in Manipur). As a result, essential supplies are being taken to Manipur by a very long circuitous route.

There has been a severe price rise and much black marketing of essential items like petrol which sells over Rs 200 a litre in some areas, according to reports reaching Kolkata. There is an acute shortage of food and medicines.

The political deadlock arises out of the NSCN's demand for the accession of Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur to Nagaland, which can be a solution to the long standing Naga movement which has a record of armed rebellion against the centre. The Nagas have now given up their old demand for an independent Naga state.

But Manipur has staunchly refused to part with any of its territory to appease Naga sentiments. Proud Manipur had been an independent kingdom until the British partitioned the country. Some prominent Naga activists had been arrested in Manipur recently.

Naga activists blocking the highway demand the immediate release of those arrested, along with measures that would enable Mr. Muivah to visit his birthplace.

Clearly the centre needs to initiate urgent measures to defuse the potentially explosive situation. Tribes in both Nagaland and Manipur have rich histories of armed struggles. And passions are running high.

Observers find it difficult to understand why the Supreme Court has not yet decided to act on the Nagaland-Manipur political imbroglio, which has resulted in the breakdown of order, unlike its action on North Bengal. (IPA)