The exaggerated reactions over issues, where there is an absence of such over related issues, which, however, actually demands the same reflective action has been of great concern today. The proposed quit notice threatened to be issued against the Meitei populace in Churachandpur by the Hmar National Army (HNA) seems to open up a lot of consciousness (though negatively) over the delicateness of issues arising out of the UNLF and KCP cadres' atrocities against the Tipaimukh people early this year. Unfortunately, the progress is inclining to fulfil the "tooth for tooth and eye for an eye."

The HNA on September 15, 2006 issued a press release with a warning that if the Manipur Government failed to look into its demands within 45 days, it would be constrained to serve quit notice on the Meitei community in Churachandpur. The HNA demanded that relief and rehabilitation facilities should be facilitated to the returned Hmar internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Tipaimukh region from the refugee camps in Mizoram.

The IDPs and the deprived Tipaimukh people are yet to receive the promise that was made to them by the Manipur Government before their return. The HNA on September 2, 2006 called an indefinite bandh and warned all passenger buses plying between Imphal and Churachandpur against servicing from September 06, 2006. After 10 days, HNA relaxed the ban from September 16, 2006 that was however followed with the quit notice threat.

Whatever music the ban and quit notice threat made, it however was preceded with reactions and condemnations by the majority populace in Manipur which is somewhat ironic and laughable. I say this, as it was so prompt and unhesitant with the amusing statements made by the myopic and communal so-called civil societies. This is because it had been done without any deeper introspection by the groups who demanded the same from the Hmar group.

The Meetei Youth Organisation (MYO), Churachandpur in their circular issued called for and imposed public curfew from the night of September 19, 2006 in all the Meitei inhabited villages in Churachandpur. It also added that the curfew has been imposed to 'prevent any untoward incident' and warning that 'any individual found violating the curfew would be held responsible for any untoward incident.' (The Sangai Express, September 19, 2006). Also, in a public meeting held by mostly Meitei civil societies in Churachandpur on September 18, 2006, the public meet stated that the 'government and the HNA should bear responsibility for any untoward incident which might come out against the threat notice'.

A rather naïve question that baffled and pricked me hard is—can curfew be imposed by philanthropic or civil society organisations in order to prevent any untoward incidents? Going further, the MYO also issued a warning to probable violators that they would themselves be responsible for any untoward incident arising during the curfew. I always thought that curfew restrictions were more or less governments' responsibility and order.

I may be wrong after all. Good thing that now I know it is restricted not only to the Government. Maybe who knows, the MYO and other organisations that imposed the curfew are none other than some covert departments of the Manipur government. And if any untoward incidents do occur during the so-called restriction, it is only the organisation(s) who called for such curfew be held responsible for their role in the said curfew and none whosoever.

On September 23, 2006 Hmar organisations jointly released a press statement strongly condemning the quit notice threat made by the HNA on the Meitei community in Churachandpur (The Sangai Express, September 22, 2006). And on September 24, 2006 a public meeting was again organised by the MYO. The public meeting hailed the condemnation of the HNA diktat by the Hmar organisations, however stating it with reservation that the condemnation was a little late (The Sangai Express, September 25, 2006).

I question myself what may be the opinion of these organisations on the still-awaited support and attention that the people of Tipaimukh are expecting from the Government. Does that concern them? Where are their voices there? What of the justice that has been long denied to the rape, torture and IED victims? Is it still a little bit too early, for those people who has already suffered enough, to be given their justice? What are we talking about here? No nonsense stuffs? What and how do these self-righteous arrogant people call and think of themselves?

Till today, they don't even have the courage and the reason to condemn the Tipaimukh rape, forced displacement and landmine planting. Do they ever realise that they are still silent over the gross violations of human rights whose victims are from the same district. What a bunch of pathetic souls. The Hmar organisations came out strongly against an armed group of the Hmars. Have any Meitei organisations ever come out, not to speak of strongly but even only mildly, against the UNLF and KCP for the atrocities against the people of Tipaimukh?

The only response we have today is of silence and nothing more than that. This is what I call a downright communal approach by the self-styled uncommunal community who could not practise what it preached. It is a shame to give space to such an absurd approach. Isn't it time to conduct a searching observation of oneself rather than bullshitting around?

Quit notice threats on any community should be forfeit and condemned by every right thinking people. It only complicates the problems and negates the issues and demands that it is fighting for. Moreover, it irritates relation between communities involved, with the core issue taking the backseat for the worse of all. This is the case with the threatened quit notice and of the unpaid dues to the Tipaimukh people.

The core issue gets completely diverted deliberately by exaggerating the threat. Is the threat to the Meitei populace in Churachandpur more imminent and dangerous than that of the traumatised people in Tipaimukh? To bring up the pathetic cultures we efficiently professed today in Manipur—gun culture, bandh culture, communal culture, quit notice culture, corruption culture, poll-booth capturing culture, insurgency culture, extortion culture, fake-appointment culture, silent culture, etc., the end losers are always the common people. Neither the government, nor the army or the actors.

If we are to weigh the fragility of the situation, the Meiteis in Churachandpur probably should be smiling wide instead. They are luckier and are in better condition than those in Tipaimukh. In spite of the ordeals the Tipaimukh people are made to go through till today, they still have time to smile and hope for something better; something to go on with their lives and to look up at the whatever-government that fails to represent them in every level one can think up of. These people should therefore be proclaimed the dignity and heritage of 'Manipur'. But instead, they are still ignored and exempted. I am beginning to doubt whether there is any such Manipur at the first place. Are not we living in a world of made-belief?

The hopeful people in Tipaimukh continue to cling on to their hopeless dreams. They should be respected for what they are and be lauded appropriately and decisively. They are proudly what they are, regardless of the majority community in the so-called tiny 'Sanaleibak' who only ignore their wounds arrogantly.

I can only hope that this chauvinist approach of a very chauvinist people does not backfire in the same approach taught unethically to the Tipaimukh people. I can only say that what we talk and do and which we continue to, is only victimising the victims. Why are we doing this? Why do we have to be so uncaring? Are we always like this—so inhumane and inconsiderate? Limits should be identified and challenged strongly lest it disturb the hornet's nest, leading to a trickier situation.

On the issue of quit notice threat by the HNA, I ought to say that the fragility is getting more brittle in Churachandpur for Manipur. The threat seems have been delivered in a clear and loud message, though theoretically rather than practically. As that is so, I would also like to personally appeal the HNA not to carry out the quit notice threat practically in the interests of all concerned.

The situation we faced and challenged today—of the little friction that seeps in between communities and the quit notice threat—is borne out of the silence of the government and the attitude of the majority people against the minority victims. This is not a game of dice.

Quit playing games with my life, our life and human life. We will only bury our own selves—the land and the whole people. It is high time we suppress and thrash chauvinism at any cost and do a deeper introspection.