Agenda of the BJP led Government in Manipur
- Part 3 -

Dr. Khomdon Lisam *

The main demands of the UNC were rolling back of the newly created seven new districts. On 9 December, 2016, the Manipur government issued a gazette notification creating 7 new districts. The 7 new districts are Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl, Noney, Jiribam, Kamjong and Kakching. The earlier 9 districts were Imphal East including Jiribam, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong snd Chandel.

The UNC demands that no Naga village should be included in the formation of new districts. Because all the Naga villages will be integrated into Nagaland –first administrative integration followed by territorial integration as a part of the Secrete Naga Peace Agreement signed on 3rd August, 2015. With the signing of the Naga Peace Agreement, NSCN-IM and UNC are dreaming that they will first achieve a Pan-Naga Unification/Integration and a Greater Nagaland (Nagalim) based on Shared Sovereignty and ultimately a separate Christian Naga Country in Asia as per wishes of the Pope and with the backing of Christian world.

With this dream, the NSCN-IM , UNC and other Ethnocentric Naga organisations are not ready to negotiate anything less than unification/ integration of all Naga inhabited areas of Manipur with Nagaland. That is why they are hell bent on protecting the so called ancestral lands of Nagas from being included in the formation of new districts.

This reminds me of the ambitions of Austrian-born Adolf Hitler from 1938 to 1945 namely (1) Pan Germany Unification (Pan-Germanism) and (2) Greater Germany (Großdeutschland), which ultimately led to the death of 60 million people , complete break down of Germany and suicide of Adolf Htler himself. I am wondering how Pan-Naga Unification/Integration become similar to Pan Germany Unification (Pan-Germanism) and Greater Nagaland (Nagalim) become similar to Greater Germany (Großdeutschland).

I am afraid , the consequence also may become similar. Hitler was trying to unify only German-speaking population whereas Muivah is trying to unify people speaking more than 31 dialects with different cultures, different dresses. On the question of revocation of the newly created seven new districts in the State the State Coordinating Committee of Hmar Students' Association (HSA), Manipur apppealed on 12 April, 2017, to the State Government and to all concerned not to alter the area and status of the newly created Pherzawl district in anyway or under any circumstance.

Majority of the people including Nagas except UNC and ANSAM are happy with the creation of seven new districts. The people of Pherzawl District said that the creation of Pherzawl District is a boon for the people who are living in the far flung remote hill-areas of South Manipur. Ojha Amu Kamei said the child has been already delivered and how can we return the baby to the mother's womb. An overhelming majority of the people in Manipur including Nagas welcomed the creation of seven new districts.

However, in order to avert any kind of disaster, the Manipur State Government has a reponsibility to clearly indicate the non-negotiable part of the agreement. The protection of administrative integrity, territorial integrity. formation of any institution beyond the purview of the Manipur State Government are the non-negotiable parts of the agreement.

The Manipur State Government should not compromise on these issues under any circumstances. Our PrimeMinister has clearly annonced many times that the interest of Manipur will never be affected by the Naga Peace agreement. The Statement of the Prime Minister should not be taken lightly. On 25 February, 2017 while addressing a public meeting at Langjing Achouba, Patsoi, Manipur , Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister said " I am standing on the sacred soil of Manipur and I pledge that the framework Agreement does not contain anything which may affect the integrity of Manipur and its territorial integrity." ( Sangai Express dated 26 February, 2917).

The Prime Minister also claimed that the ongoing economic blockade will be lifted on 3 March, 2017 if BJP is voted to power and the people of Manipur would be able to celebrate Yaoshang without shadow of economic blockade. ( Sangai Express dated 26 February, 2917). He also promised that " What the Congress Government could not do in fifteen years, we will do in fifteen months". Shri N. Biren Singh has to keep the promise of the Prime Minister upto the entire satisfaction of all ethnic groups in Manipur.

We should therefore sit down together and discuss the root causes of the conflict and come up with possible permanent solutions to the issue.

The Manipur BJP described the Tripartite Talk as "Fruitful". In my opinion, this is only a temporary relief. The need for restoring communal harmony among all ethnic groups in Manipur is the no.-1 priority. Since Manipur factor is very crucial, the Manipur State Government and the Civil Societies of Manipur should be invited by the Government of India to participate at the Naga Peace Talk.

2. Negotiation and settlement with the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC-AATB), of Churachandpur district regarding the three bills passed by the Manipur State Legislative Assembly on 31 August, 2015 and final disposal of the eight dead bodies killed in police firing.

The three bills namely (1) the Manipur Peoples Protection Bill-2015 (2) the Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill 2015 (3) the Manipur Shops & Establishment (Second Amendment Bill -2015. became the bond of contention beween the State Government and the JAC-AATB since 31 August, 2015. There was a complete shut down between the Congress Government and JAC-AATB, Churachandpur. Shri Biren Singh Government held talks on 7 April, 2017 and again on 10 April, 2017.

Following the constant efforts of Shri Biren Singh Government, the State Government led by Shri O.Nobokishore Sigh, Chief Secretary and the leader of six Civil societies including the JAC–AATB, Simte Tribe Council, Mizo People's Convention, United Zou Organisation,Young Paite Association,Tedim Chin Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 10 May, 2017.

According to the MoU, it was agreed by both parties that in the event of any new bill which affects the interest of tribal people ,the state government will follow the procedure as laid down in the constitution of India and relevant rules in consultation with all stakeholders .The State Government has agreed to pay an ex-gratia of Rs. five lakhs each and permanent employment to each next kin of nine dead bodies before 25 May, 2017 , provide employment to 8 persons disabled in 2015 incident along with compensation of Rs. two lakhs each on or before 25 May, 2017. another Rs.50,000 each will be given to 48 persons injured in the incident.

The MoU also agreed that the State Government will provide financial assistance for establishment of a memorial at Lamka and a memorial hall at Singnat. The State Government has also acknowledged the demand for creation of a new district raised by the JAC –AATB for administrative convenience and it was decided that the matter will be considered by the Cabinet on submission of a report by District Boundary Commission .

It was also agreed that the State Government will minutely investigate the police firing and the subsequent deaths of civilians and actions will be taken up as per the law. The Civil societies has assured to perform the last rites of the dead bodies before 25 May, 2017.

The decision to perform the last rites of the dead bodies in Churachandpur morgue comes after signing a memorandum of understanding on 10 May , 2017 between Shri N.Biren Singh Government and protesters.

3. Actions for improvement of Imphal-Jiribam National Highway initiated. The Chief Minister Shri N Biren Singh immediately after swearing-in initiated actions to improve the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway and make the highway traffic worthy very soon. The work of repairing was entrusted to the National Highway Infra-structure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and a team of State PWD officials under one additional Chief Engineer is constantly montoring the progress.

On 26 April, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally reviewed progress of the reairing work of the Imphal-Jiribam highway through a video conference with the Chief Secretary, Manipur and PWD officials. The NHIDCL has been reportedly making good progress on the highway.

4. Action initiated for "Equal development of Hills and Valley" with the slogan "Chingda Chatlu" (Go to Hills) and to bring speedy progress and development in all sectors in the hill districts in Manipur. The Chief Minister said " we can not develop Manipur without first developing the hill districts". We can not become rich unless the hill people are also rich. Immediately after being sworn in, Shri Biren Singh had announced that his first priority would be bridging the gap between the hills and the valley.

Stressing the need for emotional integration of the hills and valley, the chief minister said the Meiteis have to play a big brother's role. The Chief Minister said "Manipur cannot progress unless both the hills and valley are developed together". "His government has given top priority for overall development of hill areas. The state government is preparing a detailed project report for development of Hill areas for submission to the Centre," he said.

The Ministers and officials will go to villages in the hills and ascertain the condition. We have to be focussed on all-round development of the hills. Shri Biren Singh urged the titular king, Leisemba Sanajaoba to play a major role in bringing emotional integration of people in the valley and hills. He urged the titular king to bring all Village Chiefs to Imphal for an interaction and promised to provide the funds for organising such meeting.

To be continued....