Inconclusive decision of the Centre

Dr Nongthombam Ibohal Singh *

The headlines of morning news of AIR, Imphal 7.30 am on 26th June, 2023 read, if I am not mistaken, as “the violence in the hill will be looked after/controlled by the Union Home Minister (Shri Amit Shah ji) and violence at the valley should be controlled by the Chief Minister” have struck me so hard that I could not help uttering suddenly how could it be possible. It is not well understood how our Chief Minister answered in affirmative.

Two parallel lines will not have a meeting point. The objectives/goals are different- on one side- separate administration, and on the other no narco-terrorism, no poppy plantation, no drug manufacturing units and drug business, sealing of Indo-Myanmar border to check influx of Chin-Kuki/Zo terrorists, no establishment of mushroom like villages by Chin-Kuki immigrants at the reserved forest areas to save ecology, immediate identification of Chin-Kuki/ Zo immigrants at Hill Districts to ascertain the population imbalance by implementing NRC from an agreed base year, no attempt for disintegration of the State whatsoever like separate administration, abrogation of SoO with Kuki militants etc.

Known to these demands, Home Minister, in his capacity, should have instructed 40,000 armed forces to immediately bring the situation under control with minimum casualties. Simply appealing to the people of Kangpokpi to open the roadblock by the Home Minister lacks seriousness but simply eye-wash to the public.

The gravity of the violence was so voluminous that restoring complete normalcy in the State should be the sole responsibility of the Central Government with an unbiased and judicious approach considering the handiwork of Myanmar terrorists jointly with Kuki SoO militants to destabilise the State. The people of Manipur eagerly hope that the whole peace process should be tactfully handled by the Central Government only then a peaceful and harmonious co-existence will be possible.

At this critical juncture, without intervention by the Central Government, no concrete solution can be achieved. Every sensible citizen feels why the Central Govt is indifferent while dealing with such a delicate issue involving the disintegration of this tiny hilly State.

The Prime Minister himself proved to be World No 1. figure and has a very close tie with the USA and agreed upon not to support any form of terrorism in the world. His pin drop silence in the visible cross-border terrorist act by the Chin-Kuki/ Zo in Manipur appears to ignore the devastation by foreign terrorism in Manipur which apparently indicates his double standard nature.

As a matter of fact, the fate of the State remains in darkness despite more than 50,000 displaced people, 5000 injuries and more than 120 loss of life in addition to loss of homestead land, properties and damage to religious structures.

It is a natural feeling that the Government of India has recurred the divide and rule policy of the British rule dividing hill and valley for administrative convenience in the State after Anglo-Manipuri war in 1891 creating disturbance in the peace and harmony of the State.

Furthermore, the accepted fact that the Meiteis/ Meeteis who are hill tribe having the same root of origin with blood relation with other off-shoots of hill tribes (TC Hodson, 1908) have been deprived of the facility of ST Category only because of Hindu title, dress (ancestral costumes like dhoti, kurta, turban, life-style etc). Such acts of discrimination have now resulted in insubordination by the minority groups in every sphere of life (socially, politically, economically, and in administration).

Now it has become a big question mark- whether the Meitei community can conserve, preserve, and more obviously the very survival of the community maintaining unique ethnic identity, social, political, cultural status etc in the coming years.

Sometimes, the proverbial clause “Too many cooks spoil the curry” hold good. Coinciding to this, an officer on the spot visit to Manipur commented to NDTV that there are too many groups protesting on the street with a list of demands.

There is no leadership in groups. There are so many village defence committees, students unions at so many levels. Who do you speak to? Who do you negotiate with?” Comments are very meaningful and thought provoking. At the present scenario, Manipur is like this- COCOMI, AMUCO, Meitei Leepul, Federation of Haomee, World Meetei Council, NONGPAL, 6 or more student bodies, IKAL, uncountable number of Meirapaibi Lups, women organizations, local clubs, 10 political parties what not !

The main demands are the same, goals are the same. Why not we all come together under one umbrella and persuade with one voice to achieve the final goal. It is the time for removing the differences and working for the common cause.

It is the time for showing unity, strength, consolidation, and support of all sections of people to safeguard our territorial integrity, peaceful co-existence and harmony among all the ethnic groups of the state with a unanimous single voice. Lastly, the public expectation is very high on the sacrificing spirit and consensus decision of 50 MLAs to save Manipur.