Life flows incessantly in this picturesque setting, just like the gurgling streams in the area. The rectangular valley that houses a cluster of thatched structures could easily pass off as any countryside: smoke whiffing out of chimneys, a mother sunbathing her baby in the courtyard or a group of elderly people engrossed in conversation around a fireplace in the open.
This hamlet sprang up just three years ago on the banks of Tenup and Tephak, two streams in the Patkai hill ranges, and has a cosmopolitan character. The inhabitants are from different parts of the Northeast, have different cultures and speak different languages, but are bound together by a common goal ? the battle for ?right to self-determination?.
In the council headquarters of the NSCN (K) ? in Myanmar?s Sagaing division ? members of outfits like the Ulfa, the People?s Liberation Army, the People?s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak and the United National Liberation Front share a bonhomie that is reflected in the lifestyle of the resident Nagas, Meiteis and Assamese.
Four months ago, when a girl was born to an Assamese couple, it was an elderly Naga ? none other than NSCN (K) chairman S.S. Khaplang ? who christened her Ronibala. ?By staying together, we get to know the people in our neighbouring states better,? Prepak commander Roni told The Telegraph.
The hamlet is also the melting pot of diverse cultures ? an Assamese woman dressed in a Pangmei mekhela prepares irimba (a Manipuri dish), while a group of Assamese and Naga youths play sepak takraw, an indigenous game of Manipur. The youths ? Ulfa and NSCN (K) cadre ? picked up the nuances of the game from their counterparts in militant outfits of Manipur, with whom they share the camp. There are more such glimpses of cultural exchange preserved in the personal album of an Ulfa functionary. ?These are the photographs of Magh Bihu celebrations in our camp. We burned meji and shared pithas,? the militant leader said. The same album also contains pictures of an Ulfa activist getting married in accordance with Assamese traditions.
The bonhomie extends to all other aspects of life. A medical camp set up by the Ulfa caters to the need of members of other outfits based here. Naga villagers from the neighbouring area benefit, too.
?Every organisation based here earmarks a portion of its annual budget for procurement of medicines and medical equipment to run the camp. Our joint budget for medical expenses for the current year is Rs 5 lakh,? an Ulfa lieutenant said, collecting cabbage and cauliflower grown in the garden to hand over to the person in charge of the NSCN (K) camp. ?Once you are in this camp, you are our common guest,? he added.
Each camp set up by the outfits in separate sectors has a camp in-charge or commander. ?We procure rice, mutton, pork and chicken from the neighbouring villages as per our requirements. The NSCN (K) has fixed the rates for all this articles so that nobody can coerce the villagers into selling their produce at cheap rates or inflate the rates by paying higher prices,? the Ulfa lieutenant said.
Rice is procured twice a year and a quota has been fixed for each outfit to discourage hoarding. Guided by a strict set of rules, the NSCN (K) administers the area.