Conflict resolution in respect of Manipur
- Part 3 -

Dr AK Chishti *

Next to these woes is the rampant corruption and nepotism in all spheres of life. Who bears the burnt? It is the public again. As the Highways particularly the National Highways are very often blocked for days/weeks together by some Organisations at their own sweet will – the ultimate sufferers are the people using these roads – the lifelines connecting the State with outside World.

According to a recent report the State has also incurred the loss of crores of rupees due to these blockades. At the same time price hike is the prorata consequences. Nexus between the politicians and the underground groups have become inalienable now. Central Grants to Manipur for the development though received in terms of crores and crores of rupees – all were swindled.

The Centre knows this situation and its development fully yet the right solution to the problems is never found out, instead the symptomatic treatment alone is given so far. Correct diagnosis is half cure but never cared for that diagnosis. We see, the World sees, that still the AFSPA continues to operate even as the Reddy Commission recommended for the repeal of this draconian Act one year back and the country's Prime Minister expressed in favour of repealing with some modifications to make it more humane.

This clearly shows that the Centre does not bother for the State's genuine grievances and interest. This has further strengthened the general belief that the Central Authority's interest is centered round the strategic importance of the State alone, when the people of Manipur are rueing the Agreement of Merger in 1949. Where is the meeting point? Where is the search for conflict resolution?

The eruption of violence and development of anti-centre incumbency can't be subsided. There is no reason why the youths and brave hearts will become all the more indignant as the infamous draconian Law the AFPSA has been pressed in the service that no longer serves the purpose but only evokes worldwide condemnation instead. What is more unfortunate and appalling is that a nation claiming to be the largest Democracy on earth instead of nurturing a low-based State, has been active in an exercise to keep justice and law, more so the human consideration, at bay.

It will be a wrong fangled notion if the Authority harbours optimism that the conflict will die down willy nilly as the time rolls on. Judging against the backdrop of the process of integration of the State to the Union and pent up feeling embroiled in the heart of the people of a State at the sensitive frontier in the East a humane and sober approach to the conflict can alone assuage the wounded feeling and volatile mind.

It can never be by arbitrary arrests, harassment and killings under the aegis of Draconian Act – a legacy of the colonial era that has long been a measure of despotism in the State. With all these heavy handed methods adopted by the authority and excruciating circumstances people are exposed to, one is apt to think that Authority is set to conditioning people to police State tactics that would help create a garrison state mentality which could easily snub the democratic method.

This reminds the people again and again of the fallacy of the Merger Agreement that is now considered to be the turning point in the history of Manipur and will always prompt the young generation to look back in anger and spew – venom on the Union Government and the erstwhile State Authority. We have now enough of experience of the subversion of humane values in contrast to our aspiration for the flowering of the personality in the democratic India.

The State's woes is never ending; when the people of Manipur are helplessly fighting for the return of normalcy in their territory – it is seen that some disgruntled leaders belonging to this land have joined hands with the forces outside in the demand of a Greater Nagaland with that our Centre is busy for an amicable settlement of the Naga issue.

This demand if considered by the Centre under the Article 3 of the Constitution of India, will further reduce the size of the state to the point it can't survive as a viable State. The former kingdom of Manipur never faced such a threat in its existence. Before Merger, of the Manipur's area, a big chunk – the Kohima (Thibomei) is already with the Nagaland and a greater portion than that the Kabo Valley which was gifted to Burma by British is still under dispute.

The State can't afford to loose its area further more. It is not negotiable under any circumstances. Merger and dismemberment can't go together. Our valid argument is that the Merger Agreement itself is the living testimony for us to refer. We are very sensitive people and we see no solution to this. Our Centre is also seized with this peculiar demand for the integration of all Naga inhabited areas of the adjoining states with no regard to the concerned State's legitimate interest.

Jews converged to the land of Israel but not brought with them the lands they occupied in other countries. Manipur and the whole nation saw in the year 2000 the sinister move in favour of the said demand in the act of extending the Cease-fire beyond Nagaland to the territory of Manipur which the people of Manipur rejected outright and forced the Central Authority to withdraw the Order of extension, of course, at the cost of precious life of 18 brave Manipuri youths.

The incident is a reminder of all involved with some knowledge of Manipur's past history. At the same time it was a clear demonstration of the Centre's arrogance and under-mining in open of the genuine and legitimate interest of the people and land of Manipur. It will remain as an eternal regret. On this blunder of the Centre – we would like to ask what will the Centre tell our children and all those for whom the nation builders are the living role-models for all times. Does it not go against the spirit of Merger Agreement in that the interest of both State of Manipur as well as of the Dominion of India is the main consideration of Merger? The nation is still to prove against that.

This small State of Manipur is a geographical receptacle for many nations speaking many hundreds of tongues. Centre should not lose sight of the existence of a polyglot state in its family. When we, the people of the valley and hill tract have been living together in this land-locked tiny state as our homeland we have been promoting the virtue of a pluralist society projecting a distinctive culture-canvas the nation can simply be proud of.

Fragmenting a small territory on ethnic line propelled by a powerful militant section of the hill-tract simply bears testimony of the fabulous notion of Mahatma Gandhi, The spirit of democracy cannot be maintained in the midst of terrorism! While protecting our territory we have been promoting national political culture that would help create a bouquet of different hues in the process of which we appeal to the conscience of the brethren of hill-tract to bury the strong sentiment tightly anchored to the ethnic root that destroys asunder the tender fabric of pluralistic society.

Any attempt for further dismemberment of Manipur will lead to the birth of several new states in the same line. It will be of a lasting value if we can incorporate the feeling of Karim Aga Khan IV, "Pluralist societies are not accidents of history. They are a product of enlightened education and continuous investment by governments and all of civil society in recognising and celebrating the diversity of the world's people".

In this context we wish to recall the spirit of the Article VIII(C) of the agreement between the Governor General of India and His Highness the Maharajah of Manipur that specifically maintained that the Govt. of India undertake to preserve various laws, customs and conventions prevailing in the State pertaining to the social, economic and religious life of the people. It is obvious that the economic life of the people/State shall be affected severely, should the hill tract be torn from the territory of Manipur. To prevent dismemberment of small state like Manipur, retrospection of Article 3 of the Indian Constitution is the need of the hour.

What was not visible to the older generation of our people is now clearly visible to their younger generation. The Post-Merger Scenario, if the State and Central Authorities consider as not sufficient enough for serious attention and action to end the conflict, the fate and future of Manipur will take its own course. The question that poses before us today is that why the Centre trifles with such an important and emotive issue involving the pride and honour of this State for such a long period. Will there be no initiative to end all these conflicts however difficult it may be, to address. It is certainly difficult we all agree, but it is all very important for both the State and Centre to take up the case in the right earnestness without further loss of time.

Time has come for all concerned and the nation as a whole to raise the slogan for peaceful settlement of the conflicts. India's talk of lasting peace and order in the world and giving sermon to the countries in conflict will be considered as hollow and nothing but lip service only if her own domestic conflicts are left unresolved for longer period.

The world is the witness to the developing situation in Manipur and neighbouring State. Manipur's murderous situation turning the former kingdom into gravedom, breeding of armed insurgents, extortionists, political thugs, corrupt men in the public service and servile people, has become the global concern. Why not the peaceful method of addressing the issue be given a chance? In an issue involving body politic of the nation, it will be more appropriate if peaceful and democratic method be allowed to precede the method of force in the search for solutions. People are still conscious of their right to expect decency from the government of the land of Mahatma Gandhi.

To be continued...