Sow seeds, not hatred

Samarjit Kambam, *

Lui-ngai-ni, Naga seed sowing festival celebrated at Ukhrul on Feb 14 2016 :: Pix - Deepak OInam

Manipur is like a mini-world with so many ethnic groups of different dialects and diverse religions. It, therefore, is a sensitive state where issues crop up every day from amongst the multifarious ethnic groups. Being a pluralistic state, it is also a pain in the ass of the state government to tackle new issues cropping up everyday.

Other than running administrative machinery, it is also one paramount task of the state government to look into the issues of different communities and indigenous denizens of Manipur so that no flare-up of communalism and hatred amongst the diverse indigenous groups of Manipur do not take place.

The various civil societies operating in Manipur are duty bound to strive for peace among the different communities and diverse ethnic groups of the state. The recently concluded Lui-Ngai-ni festival which was conducted in Ukhrul, a festival of sowing seeds turned out as a platform for sowing hatred and spewing venom among the different ethnic groups of Manipur.

No, not by leaders of Manipur government, but by leaders of adjoining states.

Firstly, the most unpalatable scenario was that no big shots, ministers and high profile bureaucrats from Manipur were invited at the function even thou the venue is at a district of Manipur itself. Even the Chief of Manipur wasn’t invited wherein the Chief Ministers of Mizoram and Nagaland were invited and accorded a warm welcome.

Another lack of basic courtesy, poverty of thoughts by the denizens of Ukhrul, a narrow minded mindset I should say. Ukhrul is one of the nine districts of Manipur but the denizens of Ukhrul have disclosed vividly their mental picture as if Ukhrul has become a part of greater Nagalim.

Or is it the framework agreement’s after-shock which was signed by Govt of India and NSCN(IM)? Even though the details of the framework agreement are not disclosed to the media houses, there is apprehension in the minds of the people whether the territorial integrity of the state has already been compromised as strong undercurrents of territorial bifurcation seems to run post LuiNgai-ni festival.

Seems like the self-confidence of the Nagas is running high which means that the leaders of Nagas who took part in signing the framework agreement must have something in store, the picture inside the framework shielded to the public. In this critical juncture of ILP implementation logjam where the three bills passed by the Legislative Assembly have been taken as anti-tribal by our hill brethrens, further seeds of hatred have been sown during this sensitive phase at LuiNgai-ni festival thereby eclipsing the state govt’s and JCILPS efforts for integration, peace and unity of the state.

Well, lets overlook whether ministers or Chief Ministers or other hotshots were being rubbed with a cold shoulder by the denizens of Ukhrul by not inviting them to the festival. What is of grave concern to the rest of the populace of the state is the vitriolic remarks made by Nagaland’s Chief Minister TR Zeliang and the gesture of backing him by Mizoram’s Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla about the governance of Manipur govt, the sowing seeds of hatred amongst the diverse groups of Manipur.

Even though there is freedom of expression, TR Zeliang has no moral obligation to spew venom, create hatred and divisive policy amongst the various ethnic communities of Manipur. To attend as Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, Special Invitee whatsoever, the individual’s duty is to cut the ribbon, inaugurate the function and talk on the matter relating to the function or event. No limits should be crossed.

As after effect of the seed of hatred sown by TR Zeliang supported by Lal Thanhawla at the Lui-Ngai-ni festival, the Naga Political Leaders Forum Manipur(NLPFM) have already defended, supported and applauded on the vitriolic statements made by them, which clearly shows that the seed of discord sown during the festival has blossomed to bear fruits of hatred and divisiveness among the people of Manipur.

The NLPFM also needs to understand that the very culprits are the ministers of hill districts who reside like tycoons in the valley, the very ones elected by them that makes them feel marginalised, aggrieved and oppressed as the huge funding for Sadar Hills and Autonomous district councils are siphoned off by them for their own personal gains. While we are drawing flaks towards each other, it is better to bear in mind that there are bigger unpalatable things happening out there.

The recent MPSC Civil Service imbroglio where the number of non-local candidate aspirants have surpassed the 14000 count out of a total of around 35000 is one such example, an unprecedented episode, a record setting ugly scenario . So, let’s bury the hatchets and live together as brothers and sisters regardless of hill and valley. The ground reality is that we the indigenous people living in the valley are the main losers and sufferers.

We have no quotas, no reservations, no benefits from the side of the govt as were are considered ‘General’ groups. We are really aggrieved at the loss of 9 precious lives in Churachandpur, which could have been avoided had the various tribal student bodies and civil societies come to the negotiating table but please also remember that we the valley people lost double the time of precious lives during the Great June Uprising on 18 June 2001.

The three bills passed unanimously by the Legislative assembly in November 2015 were especially meant for the valley. Even though many clauses are there which have been considered as anti-tribal by our hill brethrens, it is a known fact that, the clauses will not be carried out in letter and spirit in the hill areas and the govt will act just out of good faith as going against the interest of the hill people will definitely have serious repercussions.

We the valley people are more than happy residing in the valley, we don’t want to live in the hills, that is not in our blood. So, our hill brethrens need not worry about the hill areas snatched by valley people. Besides, there are many Acts that protect the hill areas from the valley people. I need not elaborate on that.

My honest appeal to all and sundry is, please don‘t underestimate the indigenous valley people, especially the Meeteis for we will never compromise on the territorial integrity of Manipur and are ready to lay down our lives the same. Let peace prevail in Manipur forever.