Is all not well in the North

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Is all not well in the North?

By: Oinam Anand *

Can two parallel lines meet at one point when extended on both the ends? The Geometry says 'no'. But two men walking in the same direction along two parallel roads may meet the same destination somewhere if they don't diverted or strayed away from their original tracks.

Just opposite to this if two individuals or two groups of people ask for the same thing, the same piece of land at the cost of the other, who shall be the judge? What will be his decision? This is the present problem arises out of the NSCN (IM) talk with GoI and its effect and impact on the territorial integrity of Manipur.

The Manipuris vow to protect the integrity of Manipur while the demand of NSCN (IM) is to create a Nagalim which is possible only when the boundaries of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are redrawn.

Will the Manipuris agree to this? The mass uprising of the 18th June 2001 is more than enough to show that much blood is there to shed to protect the boundary.

Another June 18 has passed this year with the vivid memories of the tragedy five years ago. The convergence of the large number of people from children to the aged and from the lowest rank to the highest to pay floral tributes to the tombs of the 18 martyrs had shown the love and sacrifice of the eighteen. For their blood, the integrity of Manipur is intact and will not be forsaken in future also.

On the other camp, this June 18 is a day which carries bad omen for them. According to their estimation the incident that happened on this day five years ago was a blow that thwarts the seemingly achievable goal.

So, actually this day is a day of hate and scorn for them but they named it as a 'prayer day' to find a solution in their own liking. Can a prayer with folded hands, with closed eyes before the alter of God while the mind is pre occupied with hatred of others be called a sincere prayer?

Some are following a path which they think right. Some others are following theirs which they think right. But the two paths criss-crossed each other not even run parallel for a short distance. Let us be friends and we shall eventually meet. Will you and I meet if you are going north and I south?

Can we be friendly if you have one set of principle, action and belief and I another. To be friendly implies relationship in work, in thought, but is there any relationship between the man who always hates you?

When we turn back to the pages of the ceasefire talk between NSCN (IM) and GoI which has been for more than seven years, what we have seen is there is no definite course or direction in the talks. It may be taken as a far fetched metaphor but here is a story from fables:

A man cut down a tree with an intention to make a boat. In the process of making he found a flaw in the middle and he dropped the idea of making a boat. He again tried to make a pillar with the remaining piece.

At this time by his slight mistake a vertical crack developed. He then trimmed it and tried to make a pole which is to be used in de-husking the paddy (Shuk in Manipuri). But it was also broken in the middle.

He next had thought of making a divider used in handloom ('tem' in Manipuri). He could not make it because he had no idea about it. In these long process the huge trunk of the tree becomes smaller and smaller and at last the man decided the stick to use in smearing chandan on the forehead (Chandon Chei).

He cut the small piece with some force and the stick flew away giving a sound 'hung' and lost from sight. The man had nothing to do but consoled himself by saying that he had succeeded in making a sound at least.

The Nagas fought for many decades with the Indian Government for an independent home State in the SE Asia in between the stretch of India and Myanmar and bordering china. In the course of long war they have gained nothing except recognition by some NGOs in the international level. They came to term with GOI dropping the idea of an independent country with ceasefire in 1997.

The main agenda or condition of the ceasefire is 'Unification of Naga inhabited areas. As the talks progress, the steps in the demand came down to Greater Nagaland, South Nagaland and now as the reports floated in the press is to be taken the talks this time will be on the autonomy of the Naga areas. Then the demand may come down again to the demand of 6th Schedule provided in the Constitution.

While there is downward trends (it may be the writers presumption) in the demands made by the NSCN (IM) to find a respectable solution to their problems there is upward trends of enmity created by this long never ending talks of peace to the people of hill and valley. Many problems arise between those with want to separate, clinging to their separateness and those who wants to hold the crack. This invariably breeds conflict and pain.

A problem is never solved on its own level; being complex, it must be understood in its total process. To try to solve a problem on only one level physical level leads to further conflict and confusion. Consciously or unconsciously we refuse to see the probability of solution of every problem because we don't want to let go of our problems.

For what we be without them? With the problems at least we are familiar whether they are world problem or kitchen problem, whether they are political problem or religious problem.

We talk of the ideals of peace, of non-violence, and yet lay the foundation stone of war. As the days of peace talk develops it seems that all is not well in the north. Is this the conflict between two actualities or between the actual and the fictitious?

Time will tell.'

Oinam Anand wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on July 17th, 2006

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