Khemchand the Sardar Patel

Free Thinker *

7th Session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly : Oaths of Office & Secrecy on February 05 2026 :: Pix - DIPR

The common people of Manipur have been suffering so badly on almost all fronts for the last few years due to the horrifying ethnic strife which is still lingering. Now, they have got little solace because of the unending and fearless approach of the incumbent Chief Minister towards reconciliation; he is moving around every nook and corner of the State to redeem ethnic harmony and restore unity.

Die hard optimists like me often think that things are limping back to normalcy. We really want to believe that positive developments are actually taking place at the ground level. Shri Khemchand's recent visit to Churachandpur and paying last tribute to the (L) Valte ji was indeed a bold step to stitch the torn communal strand.

The young MLA (black sunglass wala) following him like a shadow needs acknowledgement too, because he is also championing this call by staunchly espousing the cause of unity of the people and integrity of the State. Someone told me that he has become Valmiki (reformed Ratnakar). Yes, 'Karma' changes everything.

However, critics and perpetual pessimists are always of the view that everything has gone to the dogs- from bad to worse. They maintain that ethnic communalism is constantly hovering around resulting in non-stop violence, arson and killings.

The ethnic hatred has abnormally heightened leading to dismemberment of bodies. Barbarity and brutality against one another has crossed all limits. Now the trust deficit is at the nadir.

For the time being let us forget about our economy, education, sports, culture, social welfare, agriculture, health care, infrastructure development etc . Today, the most important thing is about 'survival'.

As long as you remain alive other things become irrelevant for everything else is of no use. When you are not sure of your own existence other activities become redundant. Your very existence is linked to the idea of Manipur and the very idea of Manipur is ingrained in the symbiotic relationship among the tribes and ethnic groups of the land. If we don't learn to live together we are doomed.

Then, what is the way out ? Perhaps the think-tanks at the Centre and the State are unable to fathom the gravity of the ethnic chasm which has been accidentally created by inadvertent policies – particularly dealing with rebels and insurgents (eg dialogue with arms in hand); that remains the omphalos of the present topsy-turvy. Instead of bridging the ethnic gaps the weaponised groups embolden ethnic enmity.

Sophisticated weapons make our youths become overwhelmed , and they start thinking that they can conquer the world. So, until and unless we disarm our people (under negotiation or beyond) peace and communal harmony will remain a far cry. Honestly speaking, common people want peace and are eager to coexist in our multi-ethnic society. But the guns are the biggest obstacle.

However, let us not undermine people's struggle - big or small; every struggle has a meaning or a cause; all causes need to be dealt with and given a chance to find a way out; even the cause of a Robinhood should be taken seriously. Sometimes a quest for a solution turns out to be the remedy in the quest itself.

Even for our State, the yardstick seems to be the same- either you talk or fight; those who are at the negotiating table are safe. Those who are fighting, there will be continuous fights - but, for how long ? So, our local leaders may decide whether to continue fighting or start negotiations like the Nagas or SoO groups.

For instance, we have been looking for a Naga solution (NSCN- IM) for the last 25 years through negotiation; dialogue itself sounds like a solution to me. I may be wrong. But, if you are discussing the issue for more than 26 years - we can imagine the changing circumstances of the issue. Those who joined the movement some 30/35 years ago are now senior citizens. And their leader is about to hit a century.

Earlier they were in jungles but now they are in the towns. So, there are veteran strategists who always insist on the idea of negotiation and dialogues. Some of their followers still insist that talks should begin with any group. How long such parleys continue, nobody knows ? By initiating a dialogue, we can restore peace, that is what is required for development and for the people.

Anyways, things are much better now -

loaded trucks have arrived with full security bandobast,
nearly 10,000 cases/FIRs have been effectively merged to a reasonable number to come to the right conclusion,
most of the displaced people have been either rehabilitated or shifted,
SIR is almost complete,
Railways is reaching Imphal very soon,
combing-operations satisfactory,
DA will be augmented favourably,
perennial fund flow from Delhi begins at least till next State election,
MLAs are happy- getting their local area fund (2 cr - not enough, they grumble),
those who are posted in the valley are working from the hills
and those who are posted in the hills are working from the valley (GoI really appreciates such understanding)
Saturday is once again declared a holiday,
Khemchand ji is visiting Moreh, Pherzawl , Saikul etc., very soon-
any doubt ?

With spirit or without spirit , Grand Master always stands for the unity & integrity of Manipur - both in preaching & practice.