We definitely want a solution of the NSCN-IM and that could be empowering the ADCs
- Imphal Times Editorial :: October 23 2019 -

If it is all about greater autonomy similar to the one with Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constituency in all so call Naga inhabited areas particularly in the state of Manipur why does the NSCN-IM needed so much bloodshed that had cost thousands and thousands of Naga patriots.

If it was all about more autonomy for the so call Nagas or Hill region of the state of Manipur the movement should be devolution of power to the Autonomous District Councils.

If one digs to the unwritten biography of Th. Muivah , the supremo of the NSCN-IM, that person will definitely come to the conclusion that there are not many people who knows the history of Manipur.

How could a leader so conscious about the politics of that time, when Manipur was yet to merge to the Indian union, unaware of the history of the erstwhile nation.

After all the leader had been associated with many of the eminent scholars who forcefully picked arms to wage war against the government of India until he entered the peace pack with the government of India in 1997.

The respect and support he gained during his journey as the leader of the NSCN-IM was his promise of a sovereign land exclusively for the Naga including Nagaland .

This is just not an assumption , Th. Muivah (called by many as Avakaran) had time and again stated that Naga were never under any alien ruler and were independent since time memorial.

But the recent development reveal that what Mr. Muivah has been working for over 50 years was for a land exclusively and of course for the development of the many Hill tribal who were never honoured with the basic amenities and who were always deprived of their right by the successive regime.

When it comes to the state of Manipur, there is already a provision in the constitution of India, inserted specially for the welfare of the Hill tribal people.

Manipur don’t need a sixth schedule or any other extra autonomy as it would flare up confusion and anger among the various communities who have been living with peaceful co-existence since time immemorial.

To be precise this column had revealed the shrewd divisive game being played by vested interested group like NSCM-IM.

This was stated based on the sequence of events that has been recorded with the Imphal Times since 1980- the time when NSCN was formed due to differences with the NNC.

Article 371C in The Constitution of India gives Special provision with respect to the State of Manipur.

It said, “Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the President may, by order made with respect to the State of Manipur, provide for the constitution and functions of a committee of the Legislative Assembly of the State consisting of members of that Assembly elected from the Hill Areas of that State, for the modifications to be made in the rules of business of the Government and in the rules of procedure of the Legislative Assembly of the State and for any special responsibility of the Governor in order to secure the proper functioning of such committee

“ The Governor shall annually, or whenever so required by the President, make a report to the President regarding the administration of the Hill Areas in the State of Manipur and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of directions to the State as to the administration of the said areas Explanation In this article, the expression Hill Areas means such areas as the President may, by order, declare to be Hill Areas”

Now, that there is a Autonomous district councils in every hill district and the only problem is that there is no clear devolution of power to the ADCs.

People of the state may oppose any other mechanism – that would be no different from formation of a state within a state like structure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had time and again oppose existence of a nation within a nation and the spirit should be follow – no state with a state should be allowed if Governor of Nagaland RN Ravi, who is also the interlocutor have some respect for the Prime Minister of India.

Media had once quoted RN Ravi as saying that something has to be done for the solution – well in that case strengthen the ADCs by devolution of power.