Communal Intentions of Naga Student Federation (NSF) Exposed in Social Media

Mohen Naorem *

Tetseo sisters in a Meitei Costume :: Pix Courtesy - Tetseo sisters

"Does Meetei only represent Manipur Police? Several SP, DSP, SDPO, Inspectors and even Riflemen are from other ethnic communities like Tangkhul, Kabui, Maring, Kom, and Meetei Pangals. Then why NSF banned Meetei owned vehicles only in Naga dominated areas?"

Nagaland based student organization, Naga Student organization (NSF) have released a press communiqués! Yes, a press communiqués, not press releases. It seems the said organization is either illiterate to understand who can make Press Communiqués or intentionally proclaiming themselves as a law making/breaking organization!

Some members of Naga Student Federation (NSF) came to Ukhrul via Senapati to attend the Tangkhul Seed Sowing Festival, Luita Phanit a week ago. On the way they were stopped and questioned by the personals of Manipur Police. On the same day, in the venue in Ukhrul Tangkhul Naga Long Ground (TNL), the Chief Minister of Nagaland T R Zeliang was sowing seeds of Communal hatred between Meetei and Tangkhul and among various ethnic communities of the State.

Their leader speech was lambasted and reacted sharply by Congress MLA, N Biren Singh and R K Anand and several Civil Society Organisations based in Manipur. The matter was almost forgotten from the soil. However, NSF ultimatum to Government of Manipur and imposition of an indefinite ban on movement of Manipur vehicles from Saturday to protest against frequent harassment of Naga Organisations and people in Manipur.

The NSF statement issued by the Federation said, "We unanimously resolved to indefinitely ban movement of all Meitei/Manipuri-owned vehicles in the entire Naga-inhabited areas with effect from February 27, starting 6am onwards." Though the statement did not specify the areas, sources said the ban extends to all Naga-inhabited areas of the seven states.

NSF must read some news how people of Manipur are suffering from the Security forces in the last 3-4 decades. And also understand the impact of AFSPA 1958 in Manipur. Every person living or already dead in Manipur might have faced the atrocities or misbehave of Security forces to some extent! How a Kohima based Student organization singled out Meetei community only?

Are they fulfilling the aspirations of some Communal warlords based in Manipur? Will All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) or Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) support this new communal gift from the NSF? Every Manipuri as a good citizen and long sufferer of atrocities from the Security personals are condemning the incident of misbehaving. If those NSF students are really hounded and harassed, they could have contacted the North East Student Organisation (NESO) or any Student Wing affiliated to Political parties, leaving aside the Manipur based student organizations.

I can say these few Student leaders came with a plan, a cruel intentions to sow the seed of communal hatred in the State. Why Government of Manipur and Opposition leaders remain silent? These students can be charged with seditions, for spreading communal hatred in the region!

Even in Nagaland, the steps taken by the NSF was strongly condemned for inciting hatred among communities. Facebook reaction on NSF Press Communiqués shows there are young people in the region who don't want such Communal warfare. Instead they want peace in the region for communal harmony.

Young minds from Nagaland and Manipur wants peace, understanding the history and respecting each other, rather than inciting communal hatred at the behest of some opportunist leaders!

Here's what they had to say on Facebook:

"One of the weirdest and most immature diktat or decision coming out from a respectable Organisation. I can't imagine any mature and responsible Student body would stoop that low… Let's give peace a chance and make our Northeast a paradise on earth where peace and tranquility are the hallmark. Seriously, I'm fed up of attacking and counter-attacking each other be it in verbal or non-verbal and isn't now the time we say, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"??"

Tahchapa MB Haokip, Engineer at PGCIL, Chennai

This is purely NSF 's decision and does not necessarily carries the consent of all the Nagas .For me and many like minded people , we are not in support of such Bandh which is against the Manipuris. We do not encourage communal disharmony .
Renponi K Naga, Dimapur

Nope we general Nagas are not supporting this stupid bandh on the communal lines against the Meiteis or Manipuris, this bullshit is between the NSF (group who went to Ukhrul) and Manipur Commandos ..that's it. Don't make it a communal thing. There are actually educated people in Nagaland who have brains, who don't support this immature personal war of the NSF.
Paul Yepthomi, Dimapur

Am fed up of such news. All i know is I am a Manipuri, tribal or not, that's not a question, will do whatever i can to maintain peace at least in my surroundings and give love wherever needed. Seriously am sick of tribal this that blah blah…
Kenny Reng Sialloa Komrem, Imphal

This cycle of bandh should be stop. I don't encourage it though I am a Naga....just because of some few people we cannot blame the Meitei community and just because of some few protesters we cannot blame the whole Naga community as well.
Kemp Runoyhu Keppen, Dimapur

Arguments aside, one thing for sure is that I will have nothing to do with the NSF bandh and I can only appeal to all the right thinking Naga's not to be a part it.
Daniel Swu, Hyderabad

I am Naga, But not Happy with this immature decision of NSF..!!
Tiajungla Longkumer, Dimapur

This protest is nothing to do with Nagas or Manipur/Meitei. It's solely the so call mighty NSF decision .I don't support the lousy NSF protest so do majority of the Nagas .
Amen Jamir, Dimapur

My sympathy goes to the NSF victims of police high handedness in Manipur. But don't discriminate the Manipuris of Nagaland or disturb Nagaland. Banned the movement of Manipur police vehicles in the Naga inhabited areas in Manipur. NSF and Manipur police issue in Manipur is vociferously not the state problem between Nagaland and Manipur.
Samuel Sumi, Dimapur

Lack of education, Lack of maturity, Lack of brain function and Height of Stupidity. Don't blame all Nagas.. lots of Nagas from Nagaland are here. They won't put up any negative comments but from our own pretended Nagas will. So please when you mention Nagas put a prefix Manipur Nagas. Don't hurt Nagaland Nagas.
Chingangbam Nivason, Imphal

NSF was assaulted by Manipur commandos, it doesn't mean to ban Meitei vehicles. Don't bring communal hatred among us, Manipur commandos consists of Meiteis, Kukis, Nagas and Nepalis
Thoiba Thangjam, Guwahati

Even a group of teens wouldn't take this immature decision. It is unbecoming for responsible organization like NSF taking this communal lean decision.
LP Haokip, Silchar

They are not students, just some paid dogs of some communal organisation.
Laishram Dayananda, Tawang