Inner Line Permit - A Suggestion from afar

Maisnam Bomcha *

Sit-In Protest at various schools in Imphal, Manipur on July 11 2012 :: Pix - Banti Phurailatpam

Playing their own game may not force them to leave. But a strong message can be sent in a non-violent way and certainly discourage new aspirants

The time of reckoning has come. It was already there since long. Only the writing on the wall has never been so imperative. If a non-Manipuri becomes an MP tomorrow, it will not be a collective slap on our faces; it will be a mouthful of spit.

There is no gainsaying the sad fact that the hard statistics support the possibility of a non-Manipuri winning the inner Manipur Parliamentary seat should an adventurously ambitious non-Manipuri chooses to contest the elections. They have the numbers to contest and win given the polarity of the Manipuri polity; and feasible both technically and constitutionally. It's swarming and still counting. It will serve us right to remember that there is no unity like unity of the minorities (?). We can learn from History and Israel. Intelligence and toil alone could not have sustained the Jews.

What do we do in the event of the popular demand of the implementation of the ILP failing or for that matter is the ILP the only answer to stop the influx and make them leave as well? At their own choice. By using non-violent ways and not breaking the law. It is challenging without doubt. But we live in the land of Gandhi and a time of new ideas.

If the will is there the way just may be round the corner. By any standard it is not the sole responsibility of the government. It is next to impossible for any government to implement any policy to perfection. The issue deserves synergy of the government and the public. FREINDS have taken the initiative and the civil society has taken up the cue.

What do Mayangs do in Manipur that they find this place so enticing and choose to stay put despite all odds? Why Marwaris and Punjabis leave their native places to stay here as unwanted guests so unabashedly? Manipuris are economically ruled by non-Manipuris. Mind you, we are ruled, not dominated.

What make them to achieve this pariah of a monopoly? Their business acumen, entrepreneurship and a good head start. It may be close to wishful thinking to dislodge them from the present monopoly in the near future. Why not use the very policy of non-cooperation (boycott) and some unpleasant but absolutely legal means?

To start with, do not rent out any space to any fresh Mayang. If necessary, politely ask the old to look for other arrangements. Point here is not to force but at least convey to them that they have outlived our hospitality. Agreed it may hurt the interest of some individuals. But for matters such as this we have to make sacrifices.

Once that is done, we make Bapu our guiding light. We stop buying things and utilising their services. It may sound grossly impractical, please hold on. It is a proven strategy to make any group to toe the line; make their continued stay non-remunerative. Here we do not cut off electricity or water supply. That would not be possible and against law. We have the numbers to just embark on a policy of non-cooperation.

Begin from the fruit sellers. They have sucked us for long by selling some rotten and now chemically spiced fruits brought from far places. Can such fruits be any fresh and good to eat? Not buying Thangal Bazar fruits for a month will do no serious harm to our health and taste buds. But the vendor's financial health will be dented for sure due to accumulation of such perishable goods.

Coming to the big fries, Manipuris can still live comfortably with dignity without buying new cloths of choice sell at Mayang shops for a year. And temporary self-denial of some status symbol goodies. Save money while fighting for a good cause! Avoid going to a Mayang barber where local alternatives are available.

Where alternatives are available stop dealing with them economically. We have endured long spells of no supply from outside, remember. We can devise ways to deny admission to non-Manipuri children in schools. Exclusive non-Manipuri school located at that ghetto called Thangal Bazar? Well, we can make sure the teachers are exclusive too. We should play fair to win easy and at an affordable price. If they try to hit below the belt; it's their choice, entirely.

This column is not an attempt to make a comprehensive list. The road ahead will not be easy and will certainly be long. Collectively and in the right earnest, we will not miss a few pinches, if any. Playing their own game may not force them to leave. But a strong message can be sent in a non-violent way and certainly discourage new aspirants. Patience is a potent weapon; after all didn't they say, "Rome was not built in one day"?

A suggestion-why don't we rally under a single umbrella? All the individual groups are well meaning and doing a whale of a job. But united we stand stronger. Once again, synergy and a concerted effort. What about joining hand with FREINDS?

Mayangs have sucked us merrily and for a long time. What have they given back to the people they so methodically exploited economically so thoroughly? The crumbs? Even the British made sure that they rule a nice and good place. All good things are not legitimate. Revolutions were not legitimate when the uprisings commenced.

Are the Shiv Senas legitimate in their claim that only Marathis can live in Mumbai? I hate violence and I have many Mayang friends, though not living in Manipur.

And the first article I wrote in HL was titled "Good Mayang". If I was living in Manipur at present and I have a Mayang friend in Manipur, I would have said, "Your friendship had been great, and it will remain so, but my people are paramount".