Open letter to the Manipur State Government
Does Manipur want the land of the Nagas but not the Nagas themselves?

By Naga International Support Center *

A Naga International Support Center, NISC,
www.nagalim.nl
A human rights organization
Amsterdam Netherlands, May 14 2010

Dear Government of the Indian State of Manipur,

The Naga International Support Center, a Human Rights Organization, astounded by the deployment of your security forces which, under your command, prevented Th. Muivah from entering the state of Manipur, calls on you to elucidate this move. Before judge this move which led to the demise of young Naga students and injured scores of other Naga villagers, we ask you to clarify on the two, perhaps three, arguments you provided.

Your first public argument is on the ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN of the Naga Peoples which according to you is valid in Nagaland State only, not in Manipur. Your second argument is that Muivah has been charged with criminal and political offenses. And, perhaps, the third reason, argument and an affiliate of the former two, is that you suspect Muivah comes to Manipur to create a major disturbance, possibly to you his real reason for coming to Manipur in over 40 years.

Mr. Th. Muivah, born in what is now called Manipur, Manipur State, is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Nagalim and unlike you the Government of India had no objection to visit his native soil. Also, as far as we know Manipur was carved out of Assam after Nagaland State was founded.

Before asking you more on the point of the right to ban a citizen, born in Uhkrul Manipur, we would like you to read the text in full of the ceasefire agreement. We ask you this because there is no mention on territory, or any stipulation on the areas where this ceasefire would be valid or invalid. It is in fact an agreement between two parties, between two nations, and consequently valid anywhere in the world.

Since officially Manipur is part of India and the agreement is between the Government of India and the Naga Nation perhaps you should have lodged a protest with the Government of India against this agreement. This ceasefire agreement was reached in 1997, so why do you use that as an argument now when you could have done this many years ago. Do you think the Government of India should abide by your reading of this ceasefire agreement?

On the second point: If Muivah has been rightfully charges with a multitude of crimes, political or otherwise, we are sure what the State Government of Manipur can do legally. So, tell us please, enlighten us why you took the decision to go violent. The Naga International Support Center is sure that the Manipur State Government does not like to be branded as a government which indulges in state terrorism?

We would like clarification on why you deemed it necessary to came out in full force. Were you really so much afraid Muivah could create a stir? Instead of manhandling, threatening, frightening and even killing innocent Nagas would it not have been better to talk to Muivah first and make a program with him and his entourage, so all could have arranged in peace?

By peacefully demonstrating against your decision of banning Muivah from Manipur you unleashed your brutal forces on the Naga people. We ask you: Is that an act of fear, an act of desperation and/or a show of disgust and contempt for the people who live in Manipur? Do you agree that though you would like Manipur as it is, a state of India and in India, that the people, your people may not only think but will act differently?

Considering these points we ask you sincerely and we appreciate a truthful answer to this central question:
Does Manipur want the land of the Nagas but not the Nagas themselves?

Considering too that Manipur is a state with its own Government which is part of India and hence held of the constitution and so the Government of India: Do you think that the Government of India should allow you to go as far as killing people who are peacefully demonstrating against your decision of disallowing a man whose birthright it is to be at the place where he was born, to be with his people?
Does the State Government of Manipur realize that by refusing Muivah or any other Naga entry to Manipur you are denying the man's human right? It is the man's birthright and denying him that at gunpoint means you could be held accountable for that. Both the Government of India, which signed the Human Rights Convention and the United Nations are the bodies who can hold you accountable.

The Naga International Support Center welcomes you reaction to the questions asked.

With esteemed regards,
Naga International Support Center