Role of intelligentsia, citizens & NGOs in peace & security challenges in Manipur

N Binoy *

Today, Manipur is under a virtual siege from within and outside. Volatile law and order situations, the problem of insurgency, economic backwardness, rampant unemployment, terrorism unleashed by the underground outfits, state sponsored terrorism, unabated violence and corruption by the public servants are causing havoc and having a devastating effect on the common people of Manipur.

Burning issues like territorial integrity of Manipur, the fracture in the century's old emotional bonds between the ethnic groups, frequent bandhs and blockades imposed by sectarian forces are the causes of concern for all the right thinking citizens of the state. We may even say that Manipur is in a state of anarchy, Every rational citizen in' Manipur must be in favour of peace and normalcy in the state. But the question is, who has brought in this miserable state of affairs and how to resolve these volatile issues? Before we discuss the role of intelligentsia, citizens and NGOs we must understand the issues first, analyse their causes and explore possible solutions or remedies.

The people of Manipur have been neglected for quite long time both by the Government of India and by the Government of Manipur . We claimed to be the largest democracy in the world, In a true democratic country the voice of the people is the voice of God, but the voice of the people of Manipur has been muffled, their hopes and aspirations trampled.

As long as there is wide disparity in development, social injustice, poverty and hunger the new' era of peace and development will remain a pipe dream, Before the state was merged into India, Manipur was a peaceful kingdom where more than 30 tribes living in the state, believed in peaceful co-existence and maintained communal harmony, in its recorded history of nearly two thousand years.

Manipuri Kingdom had some important milestones like CHAHI TARET KHUNTAKPA (Seven Years Burmese Occupation) in 1819-1825, the British invasion of' Manipur in 1891, World War II reaching Manipur 1942. When Manipur was merged into Indian Union on 15th October 1949, there was hardly any opposition from any community, political party except few leaders who fought for Self Rule. Notably some of the political leaders welcomed the merger, even some of them joined the INA of Netaji SubashChandra Bose during World War II and fought for India's Independence.

We are here today discussing the future of Manipur at Moirang, where the Indian Tri-colour was hoisted by lNA aided by the Japanese Axis Forces. Having understood the historyof Manipur in brief, let us now analyse the core issues concerning the peace and normalcy in the state to study the probable role to be played by the intelligentsia, citizens and NGOs of this trouble torn state.

I believe that the majority of the people of the state are in favour of Peace and normalcy in the state. The common people of Manipur are simple minded and peace loving citizens who are forced to suffer in the armed conflicts situation. Insurgency is one of the major problems affecting peace, development and normalcy in the state. In the early years of joining the Indian Republic, the situation in Manipur was quite normal and armed insurgent movement was unknown.

The origin of insurgency movement in the North Eastern Region started even before Indian Independence in the form of Naga sovereignty issue raised by A. Z. Phizo. The radical elements in other states in the region followed the Naga Sovereignty Movement which is more or less the mother of insurgency movement in the North Eastern Region. Almost all insurgent groups in the north Eastern Region except for a few outfits received encouragement in the forms of moral and physical support from the Naga insurgents, unfriendly China, un-administered northern region of Myanmar and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh having anti-India governments from time to time) provided safe haven, material and moral support to de-stabilise India.

Insurgency in Manipur is now more than four decades old and has multiplied very fast in spite of counter insurgency operations conducted by the state and central security forces for the last thirtyfive years. Today, we have insurgent groups for almost every ethnic groups. The number is officially more than thirty outfits fighting for sovereignty. This sudden explosion of insurgent groups in this small state is mind-blowing and incomprehensible. The Government of India perceives the issue as a mere law and order issue to be tackled by deploying more and more security forces to contain it and by pumping in funds for development.

The Central Government seems to think that economic backwardness, prolonged under-development are the main causes of insurgency in Manipur. Almost all the valley based insurgent groups believed that Manipur was forcibly annexed by India on 15 Oct 1949. India has given away Kabow Valley to Myanmar, India is practicing divide and rule policy to subdue the people of Manipur and North Eastern Region. The truth is that the perceptions of the insurgents and their dreams for sovereignty found buyers even among some of the Manipuri intellectuals and among the under-privileged section of the society.

Any insurgent movement cannot be sustained without the support of the masses. It is more of the psychological warfare where intimidation, terrorism, extortion and guerrilla tactics are employed to convert the innocent people into sympathisers. On the other hand, the perception of the lower ranking troops operating in counter insurgency operations generalise every Manipuri citizen as insurgent or sympathiser and treat them shabbily.

This attitude has alienated the masses, and helped in the explosion of militant outfits. In this guerilla wars which are very different from conventional military operations, there is no winner and innocent citizens suffer major casualty. More than 3000 people were killed in the last 10 years. After having wasted so many lives there is no sign of containing insurgency. There must be something wrong in the approach in tackling the issue.

We all say that there is no military solution to the insurgency problem. You are not likely to change the mindset or ideology of the people by pointing the barrel of the gun to them. Political solution is the only solution and political dialogue should be initiated at the earliest before it is too late. We can safely assume that the majority of the people of Manipur do not believe in the senseless violence proliferated both by the security forces and the militant outfits.

People have started protesting against the atrocities committed by the militants. We can even assume that the arrogant attitude of both state and non state actors is no longer tolerated by the people. 'In the present concept of globalization, political freedom has limited relevance unless supported by economic freedom. Sovereign states are likely to collapse under threat of internal strife unless the wide disparity among the people, poverty, corruption, economic and social injustice are eradicated.

A sovereign Manipur without economic sustainability will not survive. The concept of a sovereign nation without a homogenous emotionally integrated people is a hollow dream. You cannot effectively rule a people without winning their hearts. This is applicable both to state as well as non state actors who are unleashing the reign of terror in Manipur.

The role of intelligentsia in the present conflict situation of Manipur is to guide the innocent citizens as well as the policy makers by expressing unbiased balanced views, unfortunately the intelligentsia of Manipur is under the grip of fear psychosis. The instinct of survival has overpowered them to play any effective role in charting out the road map to peace and normalcy in the state.

I consider the print and electronic media personnel in the forefront of intelligentsia of Manipur. The role of media in influencing the masses through their news and views has tremendous impact in forming public opinion. They can use or misuse their platform in the transformation of the society.

We know they are working under terrible stress and terrorised by the militant outfits and to some extent even by the government agencies. If democracy has to survive, freedom of expression has to be protected at all costs. Freedom of Press is an important pillar of democracy. But, freedom of press or freedom of expression should not be misused for misinformation campaigns or to promote sectarian interests.

We have eminent scholars, writers, doctors, technocrats, and retired bureaucrats who form the bulk of the intelligentsia in Manipur. Surprisingly, they have adopted the policy that "Silence is Golden". There are hardly any views or comments expressed by this section of the society. Perhaps, they do not want to expose themselves unnecessarily. Our intellectuals should come forward and openly express their views without fear if they have to find a solution to the problem.

The intelligentsia in Manipur has practically failed to play their role in combating the present situation. The NGOs and civil society organisations play a very important role in maintaining peace and harmony in the society. In fact, all the protests, agitations, blockades and dharnas are organised and conducted by these groups. For a small state like Manipur we have plenty of GOs and civil society organisations.

If these organisations work for the safety, honour and welfare of the people, Manipur could have been a peaceful state and there is no requirement of holding such seminars on the issue of peace and security of Manipur. Unfortunately, most of the civil society organisations in Manipur have sectarian aims and objectives. There are instances of NGOs working for the cause of insurgent outfits. Backed by armed insurgents, some of the NGOs are so powerful even to challenge the rights of the people. Human right organisations in the state are also based on ethnic lines. There roles are also restricted within the ethnic groups.

We need introspections how to mobilise the NGOs in the right direction for peaceful solutions to the problems facing the state. There should be more seminars, discussions, conventions and conclaves involving all these NGOs to understand the real problems and to find a possible solution to the issues concerning all sections of the society.

Citizens from every section of the society have also to play their role. In a democracy, we cannot imagine good governance without the support of the masses. Government can exercise powers provided they have the mandate of the people even after the election is over. Government policies, programmes, execution of the schemes will only be possible with the support of the people. In a true democracy, the partnership of the people and the government cannot be ignored.

Government can be dumped by the people but government cannot dump its people. All citizens should understand this and exercise their rights and perform their duties. The rights of the citizens are enshrined in the constitution and every citizen should fight for their right because eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Any encroachment on the right of the citizens for sectarian interests cannot be tolerated if we have to live with dignity.

It is the duty of the government to protect the right of every citizen and also it is the duty of every citizen to fight for his or her right. Any action or inaction on the part of government agencies, NGOs, non state actors, sectarian groups infringing on the rights of the citizens should not be exonerated. It is ridiculous for a group of people to impose indefinite blockades or boycott classes, burn libraries to press their demand.

Apart from the role to be played by the citizens, intelligentsia and the NGGs, the elected governments at the centre and the state have to play their role in the conflict resolution of Manipur. Lack of political will on the part of the government, lack of understanding of the real issue and the wrong approach to tackle the issues has encouraged the mushrooming of insurgent groups in the state. Innocent citizens are paying the price.

Failure of the national leadership in constitutional and cultural integration of the various ethnic groups of this isolated state with the rest of diverse Indian society, negligible benefit to the common people through developmental programmes alienated the people from the Indian mainstream. Multiplicity of insurgent organisations has further complicated the problem. Return to normalcy is a long and hazardous way we have to cover. The political will of the government and wisdom of the people are on test in this journey to normalcy.


( This is a paper presented at a seminar on "Peace Dividend" held under the aegis of Logtak Brigade, Red Shield Division at INA Museum Hall, Moirang on June 1 2010. )