Chengni Khujai: Chronicle of Insurgency in Manipur
- Part 2 -

Dr. K. Shantibala *

This situation of deprivation of food in the state has never been encountered when Manipur governed its own land. It all happened because of the onslaught of capitalism that snatched away the humble agricultural life, replaced by the capitalist in the state and this has been vividly expressed. The insurgency groups who underwent vigorous arm training in the countries like China, Pakistan and Burma and got help from these countries were portrayed through the characters of Paktokpa and Pekingkei.

Tongbra critically analyses such scenarios and written it in 1969. It was staged in 1970 and published in 1972. Before this, the play, 'Leibak Houba Andallon' based on the taking down of the Board of Law was published in 1960. Tongbra who wrote more than hundred plays critically studied the administration of Manipur government. Among many of his plays related with political issues, 'Leibak Macha' 1970, 'Mani Thiba' (staged in 1973 and 1976) and 'Chengni Khujai' are the three plays based on the topsy-turvy administration.

Leibak Macha and Mani Thiba are the plays which addresses the bright side of monarchial form of government. In the last part of the play 'Leibakmacha', King Chakrapani who got the punishment said, 'hey players of politics, if I'm not wrong, may there be an illness called betrayal to all of you.' [GC Tongbra, 1970: 81]

In the play Mani Thiba, the stone worshipped as god was thrown from the cliff and Hongba became the king. This has been sarcastically expressed when leaders like a stone knowing nothing about law, politics, religions was ridiculously replaced by another powerful people. It is not easy to rule a state and if it falls under an unfit ruler people suffers the most and it seems it goes on.

Chengni Khujai has the best pictures of the first arm revolt against the government much related with the history of Manipur as why people started the insurgency movement in the state. The vivid portrayal of the incidents related with the political affairs, the counter insurgency measures and how people look for hide out in the jungles are skillfully crafted. To easily suppress such insurgency movements, the Indian Parliament passed the Arm Forces Special Power Act 1958 considered as black law and it has been implemented.

Under this act a person can be killed if found to be suspected. Behind this horrendous act, the people of Manipur have been suffering from the ill human oppressions and brutality of the India Army over the decades. Such law of the arm forces makes big pictures in this play. The frustrated youth who were deprived of food started looting the bank, the shops and establishments and set ablaze offices and on the other hand, people were blamed for the mistakes.

This has triggered the youth to take up arms. Yaomacha who is the son of Hamengpana was beaten black and blue in mere suspicion ultimately invoking him to become an insurgent. This very question has been asked by Tenwa to Durga who finished the democratic government and made President rule:
Tenwa: Oh Mother Durga! There is no meaning of human rights if a person is judged on mere suspicion, interrogated on false charge. This is the law of the Junglee where might is right is prevalent. Have a look from the abode of civilized Kailash
[Chengni Khujai, ___: 58]

All such laws have made the youth to become insurgents. In spite of the state being under the President rule, frustrated leader Yenba wishes for statehood.
Yenba: Tokpa Lannase! Give power, we want statehood.
Pak: Brothers who couldn't bear hunger and thirst! Afraid not but believe in the power of youth. Yaomacha was abducted today from here and others like Sannao, Yennao, Hamengcha have already been abducted yesterday from different places. Stop counting the beads and stop crying Meme. Sharpen your nails, grind your teeth, show your power! Ngararao… Ngararao! Let there be sovereign state. Will give arms. Take up arms
[Chengni Khujai, ___: 50]

Manipur had been declared a state on 21 January, 1972. However, the play had been staged in 1970. It expressed the revolutionary movement that took place in the early part of the state formation. The insurgency movement that emerges and affected the national integrity of Manipur, the uprising of the Naga and Kuki rebellion demanding their independent state and dream for greater Nagaland all have emerges in the later part only. The hard fact about the revolutionary movements in the history of the world is that the people of the subjugated nation revolted against those people who rule them.

At some point of time there might not be an arm rebellion but definitely there is an intellectual fight and protest. And when the political situation seems intolerable violence emerges. Tongbra in his play addresses the main problems where the people of Manipur suffer because of the deprivation of food and unemployment.

Yenba: 'people wishes to have grains in granary and food for stomach. Others are secondary. If asked to Ganadevi, will pray and to the king also will pray.'
[Chengni Khujai, ___: 18]

With such ideology, the steps taken up in the insurgency movement became widespread,. It is very precise when Eroi said, when two of them got released, they would ask for help directly from Chin and Pakistan.' [Ibid.,: 66]

However, the suppression and oppression felt by the innocent civilians and the defeat of the insurgency movement at different stage are vividly expressed. The losers in eliminating innumerable innocent civilians in the name of controlling insurgency movement are manifold, the government and the guerillas and most shockingly the indigenous people.

Hamengpa: (like insane man) has anyone died, in favour of the government or from the insurgency groups ha ha ha ha. You all have fallen on the same earth? Do you hear me kids? Are you the sons of Vaishnavpur? Why did you kill one another? Hey you who possess Chengni Khujai, are you not in the same party?
[Chengni Khujai, ___: 79]

This witty statement made by Tongbra has become a difficult riddle for the guerillas groups to answer at the present context. The uprising of those days which the easily subside and defeated could be analyzed from different angle now. The emergences of many insurgent groups because of the prevailing political crisis have triggered another big plethora of problems in the ethnic identity which sometimes could even shatter the integrity of Manipur.

Here, Tongbra's employment of words needs to choose meticulously to serve his dramatic purpose. Manipur experienced famine at different period in the history and also protest and agitation against such incidents. However, the agitation against famine which happened in 1965 stormed by All Manipur Students Union became a significant episode in the history of Manipur. And this image is visible in Tongbra's play.

Based on this historical setting Tongbra pointed out the reason behind the protest and agitation and the crisis that Manipur faced and also vividly portrayed the pangs and agonies felt by the innocent civilians who were kept behind the bar, oppressed in the name of controlling insurgency movement. Such incident becomes very precise when Hamengpa and Hamengma gone insane seeing their children beaten black and blue in front of them for no fault and without any justification.

On the other hand, there was a scene on how Pekingkei and Paktokpa fled courageously from the jail when being tortured severely. To conclude, like other stories which has a beginning always has its end also and similarly in Tongbra's play the powerful government ultimately triumph. Tongbra through the character of Hamengpana expressed that the only means to safeguard democratic values and raise the voice unheard from the down trodden people is to follow non-violence at any cost.

He also warned not to act mindlessly for little unsatisfied objectives for this will not last long. The play reveal how the imposter politicians and hypocrites and thoughtless people who ruined the values of democracy yet hoping to bring a change through people's movement. By critically examining this very play one can understand the gist of the insurgency movement and its political significance in Manipur.

Last but not the least we may consider this play as the chronicle of an insurgency.

Concluded ...