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Rendezvous with Rebels: Journey to Meet India's Most Wanted Men
Rajeev Bhattacharyya walked nearly 800 kilometres, over some of the most hostile terrain and through no man's land. His journey, which took three months and twenty days to complete, is unprecedented in Indian journalism. He visited the rebel bases in Eastern Nagaland, which covers a part of Myanmar's Sagaing Division, stayed in the ULFA camp and interviewed its chief of staff Paresh Baruah, as also chairman of the NSCN (Khaplang), S.S. Khaplang himself. He interacted with rebels from banned outfits like the NDFB, UPPK, PLA and other groups - for many of them, this was their first conversation with an Indian journalist. Bhattacharyya is one of very few journalists in the world to have made this journey, and among the fewer still to have had such intimate access.Rendezvous with Rebels is the story of that journey. It is as much a travel memoir as it is a hard-hitting political account of the fissures that mark the conflicts in India's Northeast and Myanmar's Sagaing Division. Bhattacharyya analyses the historical and current role of ULFA, NSCN and other rebel forces, and sizes up the current situation in Eastern Nagaland vis-a-vis the changes taking place in Myanmar specifically, and the subcontinent generally. It is, ultimately, an up-close examination of a very thorny conflict.
- GenresNonfictionTravelogue
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
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129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 9, 2016
Rendezvous with Rebels: Journey to meet India's Most Wanted Men is a travelogue of a prominent Indian journalist, Rajeev Bhattacharyya, who undertook a journey to the unknown and hidden lands of Eastern Nagaland. Only with a sole purpose, to understand the lives of the rebels who have been giving light to the domestic terrorism in East India. A journey that is life threatening, and meeting with most wanted and dangerous men and their teams who do not believe in mercy, this book will keep you on your chair's edge. And I must say, what an insightful read it has been.
Rendezvous with Rebels begins with Rajeev Bhattacharyya's request to visit and interview Chief of Staff of ULFA, Paresh Baruah. His request is declined at times, but after following up on it persistently, his chance comes one day when Paresh Baruah agrees to meet him at ULFA's camp in Eastern Nagaland. A land where until now, no Indian journalist has managed to reach, far from covering it.
Rajeev walks for about 800 kilometers for three months and twenty days and the terrain leaves them scared for life. A hostile terrain, where one wrong step can land you up in ditches with broken bones and other critical injuries. And not just the terrain, the mosquitoes and other insects and reptiles who are on a constant search for human blood made this journey even more tougher for Rajeev and his friend, Pradip. During this journey, he comes across various rebels camps and tries to understands how rebel camps work. What kind of social structure did they follow, what are the rules? How comrades are trained and what purpose do they want to serve with ULFA? Rendezvous with Rebels provides a deep insight into the current situation of ULFA and other sisters concerns who are fighting for their land, which is unique and intriguing in its own special way.
The breakthrough comes in Rendezvous with Rebels when Rajeev meets ULFA Chief of Staff, Paresh Baruah. Initially a little hesitant in sharing his story, after some days of warm conversations he opens up to Rajeev, sharing his vision and mission for Assam and other sister states. Rajeev discusses some really vital questions with Baruah like after a brief downfall of ULFA, what all measures are being taken by Baruah to bring back ULFA to its former glory? How they are planning to deal with Government of India and other outfits? Certain issues raised by ULFA also come to light, the biggest one being exploitation of Assam like mismatched royalty calculation of crude oil, illegal immigrations from Bangladesh, flood and erosion which occurs annually depleting land for the people of Assam.
If we pick up today's newspaper, hardly we see anything come across us from the seven sister states. The only thing I get to read is the annual flood that takes a heavy toll in Assam, that's all. When I saw this book and read it, I realized that how much I do not know about an entire part of India. We bank on its tourist spots and try and cozy them up as equivalent to any other state, but when I read Rendezvous with Rebels, my ideology got modified to a certain extent. Don't know about others, but I for one came face to face with the fact that we are not aware of the brimming internal struggle of these states. We do not understand the pain which led to the creation of one of the most rebellious outfits of all times, ULFA and others like it, NDFB, UPPK, and PLA.
One of the most special thing about Rendezvous with Rebels is that Rajeev has not left out anything. From sharing the stance of Indian Government to sharing the stance of Baruah, Rajeev has covered everything most extensively. From his treacherous journey towards the unknown land to getting to know comrades and their vision, Rajeev has done a great job with Rendezvous with Rebels. Though I would have loved to see a better end to Rendezvous with Rebels since the climax was a bit abrupt. But apart from this small glitch, I couldn't find anything wrong with Rendezvous with Rebels.
Rendezvous with Rebels comes from a genre that many of us don't read, but it is something that needs to be read to understand a deeper issue that prevails in our country. All in all, Rendezvous with Rebels makes up for an incredible journey, a story of which needs to read and shared more.
Rendezvous with Rebels begins with Rajeev Bhattacharyya's request to visit and interview Chief of Staff of ULFA, Paresh Baruah. His request is declined at times, but after following up on it persistently, his chance comes one day when Paresh Baruah agrees to meet him at ULFA's camp in Eastern Nagaland. A land where until now, no Indian journalist has managed to reach, far from covering it.
Rajeev walks for about 800 kilometers for three months and twenty days and the terrain leaves them scared for life. A hostile terrain, where one wrong step can land you up in ditches with broken bones and other critical injuries. And not just the terrain, the mosquitoes and other insects and reptiles who are on a constant search for human blood made this journey even more tougher for Rajeev and his friend, Pradip. During this journey, he comes across various rebels camps and tries to understands how rebel camps work. What kind of social structure did they follow, what are the rules? How comrades are trained and what purpose do they want to serve with ULFA? Rendezvous with Rebels provides a deep insight into the current situation of ULFA and other sisters concerns who are fighting for their land, which is unique and intriguing in its own special way.
The breakthrough comes in Rendezvous with Rebels when Rajeev meets ULFA Chief of Staff, Paresh Baruah. Initially a little hesitant in sharing his story, after some days of warm conversations he opens up to Rajeev, sharing his vision and mission for Assam and other sister states. Rajeev discusses some really vital questions with Baruah like after a brief downfall of ULFA, what all measures are being taken by Baruah to bring back ULFA to its former glory? How they are planning to deal with Government of India and other outfits? Certain issues raised by ULFA also come to light, the biggest one being exploitation of Assam like mismatched royalty calculation of crude oil, illegal immigrations from Bangladesh, flood and erosion which occurs annually depleting land for the people of Assam.
If we pick up today's newspaper, hardly we see anything come across us from the seven sister states. The only thing I get to read is the annual flood that takes a heavy toll in Assam, that's all. When I saw this book and read it, I realized that how much I do not know about an entire part of India. We bank on its tourist spots and try and cozy them up as equivalent to any other state, but when I read Rendezvous with Rebels, my ideology got modified to a certain extent. Don't know about others, but I for one came face to face with the fact that we are not aware of the brimming internal struggle of these states. We do not understand the pain which led to the creation of one of the most rebellious outfits of all times, ULFA and others like it, NDFB, UPPK, and PLA.
One of the most special thing about Rendezvous with Rebels is that Rajeev has not left out anything. From sharing the stance of Indian Government to sharing the stance of Baruah, Rajeev has covered everything most extensively. From his treacherous journey towards the unknown land to getting to know comrades and their vision, Rajeev has done a great job with Rendezvous with Rebels. Though I would have loved to see a better end to Rendezvous with Rebels since the climax was a bit abrupt. But apart from this small glitch, I couldn't find anything wrong with Rendezvous with Rebels.
Rendezvous with Rebels comes from a genre that many of us don't read, but it is something that needs to be read to understand a deeper issue that prevails in our country. All in all, Rendezvous with Rebels makes up for an incredible journey, a story of which needs to read and shared more.
December 26, 2016
A candid look at the life and struggle of ULFA and NSCN. The book reveals the equations and differences built across myriad rebel groups in North Eastern India and Myanmar. By the end of the book the reader will definitely have a better understanding of the context for the secessionist movements and the dynamics between various ethnic groups in North Eastern India.
June 19, 2016
An exceptional tale of an adventurous journey into rebel heartland and rebel camps. A first hand account of what rebel controlled territory looks like.
July 27, 2017
An excellent read which opens up quite a new perspective about the rebels fighting the Indian state from the other side of the border. Much more interesting is the author's keen grasp of the problem and articulate elucidation of the history and evolution of the rebel movements in the North east particularly the Naga and Assam movements. Clearly, his line of thought lies more with the anti-establishment camp but we need such thinkers in today's times to make our democracy more meaningful and inclusive.
August 23, 2020
This book by Rajeev Bhattacharyya ( A Daredevil Journalist) is one of the most vivid descriptions of ' Eastern Nagaland' I have ever heard/read. An exhilarating journey through valleys, knolls, brooks, creepers, idyllic skylines, Naga cuisines, Naga villages, surreptitiously crossing the border, meeting the most wanted men, how do they (the rebels) get their training/ration/arms & ammunitions?, their ideology, account of history of these rebel outfits and much more!
You may also find some beautiful photographs amid your engaging reading. A good read!
You may also find some beautiful photographs amid your engaging reading. A good read!
April 19, 2018
How can I read it it just a review. I’m looking for book in pdf??????
July 16, 2020
Gripping & informative
Rarely have I come across a book that covers the insurgency in the north east of India the way this one does, very well researched and equally well written.
Rarely have I come across a book that covers the insurgency in the north east of India the way this one does, very well researched and equally well written.
July 24, 2018
This was headed to a 4-star till the last two chapters ...
I liked the tone of the first part of the book, like a travelogue, describing the wild beauty of an adventurous trail. It made me yearn to go on treks to lush green hills. I enjoyed the second part too, the history of insurgencies in the Indian North East, ULFA's detailed history, conversations with cadres and their leaders. I learnt stuff I didn't know before, and it was fascinating to read about the rise and decline of a revolutionary organization, as well as their perspective of India as the colonizer.
I had some quibbles - the writing could have been better to be honest. And I did feel the book was too focused on Paresh Baruah and his faction of ULFA - would have been more interesting to hear what the other factions had to say and hear more about the common people, civilians and cadres alike. The author also has an annoying habit of referring to interesting stuff repeatedly and then not following through - like the supposed anecdotes peppering Baruah's stories. Well, why couldn't you share a few for us? But still, I would have given it a 4 star - it was informative, interesting and opened a new perspective for me.
But then the last two chapters happened. Self indulgence stretched to it's limits. The focus completely shifted on how great the author is, and I was annoyed as hell. Especially the concluding section of his epilogue - why throw out vague hints to a conspiracy right in the last few paragraphs, that add nothing to the story? To set up the next book? Could have been done better. I was tempted to reduce the rating to a 2.5 or 2 - but decided to go with 3 instead, since I would still recommend people reading this book.
Read for the challenge prompts -
PopSugar Reading Challenge - A book with alliteration in the title
Around the Year in 52 weeks - A book set in a country you'd like to visit but have never been to (I would like to visit Myanmar, where much of this book is set)
I liked the tone of the first part of the book, like a travelogue, describing the wild beauty of an adventurous trail. It made me yearn to go on treks to lush green hills. I enjoyed the second part too, the history of insurgencies in the Indian North East, ULFA's detailed history, conversations with cadres and their leaders. I learnt stuff I didn't know before, and it was fascinating to read about the rise and decline of a revolutionary organization, as well as their perspective of India as the colonizer.
I had some quibbles - the writing could have been better to be honest. And I did feel the book was too focused on Paresh Baruah and his faction of ULFA - would have been more interesting to hear what the other factions had to say and hear more about the common people, civilians and cadres alike. The author also has an annoying habit of referring to interesting stuff repeatedly and then not following through - like the supposed anecdotes peppering Baruah's stories. Well, why couldn't you share a few for us? But still, I would have given it a 4 star - it was informative, interesting and opened a new perspective for me.
But then the last two chapters happened. Self indulgence stretched to it's limits. The focus completely shifted on how great the author is, and I was annoyed as hell. Especially the concluding section of his epilogue - why throw out vague hints to a conspiracy right in the last few paragraphs, that add nothing to the story? To set up the next book? Could have been done better. I was tempted to reduce the rating to a 2.5 or 2 - but decided to go with 3 instead, since I would still recommend people reading this book.
Read for the challenge prompts -
PopSugar Reading Challenge - A book with alliteration in the title
Around the Year in 52 weeks - A book set in a country you'd like to visit but have never been to (I would like to visit Myanmar, where much of this book is set)
January 5, 2016
A well documented book written by a journalist describing his journey through the dense forest of Nagaland and Myanmar to interview the top cadets of ULFA and NSCN (K) about their perspectives on the ongoing revolution for sovereignty of North-East. The book also elucidates the circumstances that compelled the rebels to plunge into revolution from the rebels viewpoint as well his perspective and lucidly highlights different important turning points of the insurgent forces.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews