Peace in Manipur; Its Different Dimensions : A Discourse
- Part 2 -

By Priyadarshni M Gangte *

Stone (Julius Stone's article "Justice and Not Equality" in Hastings Law Journal, 1978, Vol. 29.5; p.995) in his introduction, has maintained that one related tendency of social, political and jurisprudential theorists in the present century has been to seek criteria of justice of vastly simplified indeterminacy or ambiguity, such as 'fairness' and 'equality' in the hope of escaping the admitted perplexities involved in grappling directly with question of justice and peace.

Whereas, Rawls (John Rawls : A Theory of Justice, Oxford University Press; London, 1972; p.3) opined "Justice" as the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought. A theory however, elegant and economical must be rejected or revised if it is untrue; likewise laws and institutions no matter how efficient and well arranged must be reformed or abolished if they are unjust. Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override.

Indian legal system is based on colonial idea is, of course, an offshoot of the British India Legal System, how laws being received and the very reception of the same is termed as Top Down Models of the British Indian Legal System by Baxi (Upendra Baxi: (Ibid). Thus reception of law and endeavouring to modernize the same will not go with the every aspects of day to day life in this present society particularly that of Manipur.

Even the 14th Report of the Law Commission of India way back was in 1958, emphatically stated and urged the authority to reform the existing law that should not lie in the abandonment and replacing it by another. The real need of the hour is the inculcation of a higher sense of duty, a greater regard for public convenience, greater efficiency in all those concerned in the administration of justice.

Yet, in this 2011's, we still need the updation of law, i.e. an alternative law (laws) to go with the social reality in India in general however very specifically in states like Manipur.

Law and order operations considered essential for development and nation building also shelter a whole variety of legal and extra legal police and paramilitary violence (Ugljesa Zvekic (ed): Ibid pp. 228-229). Progressive criminality of this nature is to be sure, a notoriously global phenomenon, and the use of fatal force by security forces in India, especially through 'encounters' in term of art describing civilian casualties in dealing with dacoits, extremists, militants and now terrorists is alarming on the rise.

Standard-less use of force by the very custodians of peoples security and well being seems in India justified as an aspect of development, here conceived in terms of reasons of state as reinforcing national unity and integration (Ibid : p.229)

In Europe, more autonomy is given to publics patients have the right to die, the system goes with globalisation, whereas, in India we have only the right to life (only in name sake). There is no crime in suiciding, in Switzerland, people who have been suffering from a boring prefer to die, State authorises to end their lives, (B.B. Pande : Ibid.). In fact, there is no fantasy it is reality, for the right to die is a basic need for them.

The role of privileged class is very important though the nature and dimension of them is for deviance. How, identifying the "Privileged Class" as the elite class (on the basis of super qualities) or the ruling class (on the basis of ownership of means of production by the traditional and non traditional thinkers (K.S. Shukla (ed) : Other side of Development: Social-Psychological Implications, Sage Publications, N. Delhi, 1987; p.138).

In general the term relates to the section or strata of the society who enjoy some kind of position of power or advantage over the rest of population. This group advocates even the laws are selfishly codified without slightest concern of the masses particularly the poorest of the poor and weaker sections of society including women – Super-discrimination.

Hence, the law is repressive and negative aspect of the entire positive, civilizing activity undertaken by the State (Antonio Gramsci: State and Civil Society – Website). Also while dealing with cases, the courts maintain the domination of the ruling class by the law strictly. It is particularly high in the exceptional state because of the role of social forces which the supporting classes often play in particular the petty bourgeoisie (Nicos Paulantzas : The Exceptional State – Website).

Dr. Irengbam Mohendra Singh (calling Time on the most unsafe State in India – Manipur on a Swiss Model and article by Dr. I. M. Singh published in The Sangai Express on 24/4/2011) has suggested very apparently the political legitimacy is indeed central to the sustenance of Manipur identity. The existence of secessionist movements reflects a lack of legitimacy. The lack of state legitimacy relates to the rise of ethnic conflict and competing ethno-nationalism.

Repressive policies to deal with ethnic dissent are counter-productive.Like Switzerland, Manipur needs to transform itself into a multi-ethnic State with a sense of collective national identity, each community taking part in common institutions and practices, separated from a 'culturalist' and ethnic perspective (Ibid).

Such a circle should devise how to build a composite Manipuri identity based on equality or autonomy within the framework of the existing State of Manipur politicians with such broader aims in their manifestoes should be chosen to form a 'unitary' democratic Government in Imphal subject to change the capital in the hill areas from time to time so that balancing the whole state regularly takes place in the widest social inclusiveness i.e. "equality indication".

Manipuris need a think tank or a policy institute i.e. a non-profit organisation that conducts research and engage in advocacy in areas such as economy, social policy or political strategy that will be fair to all ethnic groups, big or small. There must be 'give and take' approach rather than 'take and give' policy (Ibid).Bringing peace in Manipur deals with the following:

1) Student power - Proper education – education does not mean degrees only – it means a transformation of mind in understanding issues at hand – the comely is facing. Education stabilizes roots of planning and achieving a sense of progress and development.

2) The idea of corruption – must cease, the Government must adopt 'Zero Tolerance' of corruption committed by officers, ministers and other sections in the socio-economic and political sectors. Rampant corruption must go.

3) Judicial system must be revamped.

4) Money meant for social development must be utilized for the same.

5) Opening up of economic sector.

6) Trade & commerce – employment generation and the urge of the youth to each a livelihood of dignity must be encouraged.

7) Manipur suffers from 'indignity' and callous approach of the authorities that be. It is a beautiful region with lots of potentialities these must be proved, planned and encouraged especially in the sector of tourism.

8) Ethnic clashes should give way to ethnic cooperation and a progress based upon mutual trust and dignified living.

9) The need for the armed forces will go once the various communities start living together without being afraid of each other.

10) Intermarriages should be encouraged.

Peace is not cessation of war; it is a noble way of understanding the impact of wars and the way of avoiding it. Peace is a perception of avoidance of conflict. It is a way of live – Living with inconsistencies and yet not opting for violent means which normally should be the last option.

If Egypt can change and bring about a political peace why can't Manipur let the youth will it and peace shall prevail.

Concluded .....