Deputy CM Gaikhangam’s vision for lasting peace in Manipur

Gaikhangam *

Deputy CM Gaikhangam at the Seminar "An Emergent Manipur: The Way Ahead" on 1 october 2015 :: Pix - DIPR

The Sate of Manipur is different from other states of north east barring Assam. The state has geographical division demographic division and infrastructure inequality. Coupled with the inherent problems of as stated above are the issues of unemployment, lack of sufficent resources and limited economic activity. The State and its people have become victims of presence of large number of insurgent groups with both active and passive support by the external agencies. Another major problem in Manipur is illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse.

The issue of un-employment is a major concern for the State. People of the State mainly see the State Government as the main source of employment, as there are limited job opportunities in private sector. The non-existence of private sector opportunities, barring few commercial establishments is one of the biggest drawbacks being faced by the people. The State does not have any industries worth mentioning except individual oriented handloom and handicrafts entrepreneurs. One of the main reasons for failure to promote industries in the state is lack of raw material and marketing opportunities within the region. The Government is having its own limitations to provide job opportunities in Government sector. We need to find a way out for facilitating to harness opportunities outside the State.

Though the pace of development is very good in the last one decade, I agree that much needs to be done. The main impediment for the development is limited resources coupled with problem of insurgency. Peace is a must for development. In order to attract any investment into the state or for establishment of any industry by the private individuals, the state has to return to normalcy.

The lure of easy money is also leading them indulge in gun and drug trafficking A crackdown on drug trafficking and smuggling of arms needs to be undertaken. Myanmar has been a major source of drug trafficking and smuggling. Pressure needs to be put on Myanmar in this regard.

Peace is not just the absence of war; the very undercurrent of fear and the possibility of violence erupting any moment is akin to the sensation of being present in a war sans blood. Over the last 10 years, the law and order situation has improved tremendously. The State Government hs been making every effort possible to counter any insurgent related activities. The Army and Assam Rifles have done tremendous work in maintaining peace in the state. The Stete police force has been making all out efforts to sustain peace in the state.

Insurgency is the major concern for the stte. The large number of insurgent groups both valley based and hill based operating from across the international border is still concern. The formation of these groups based on ethnic lines in the hill area, pretending as the protector of the communities, often restrain the public from raising their voice seeking peace. There are large numbers of over ground social organizations who assist and actively support the insurgent groups both in hill and valley.

The Central and State Governments have notified a Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy in order to bring back the misguided youth from insurgency and rehabilitate them. Under this Policy, the Central Government through the State Government is offering at amount of Rs. 2.50 lakhs to be kept in fixed deposit of the surrendcered cadre and also providing stipend of Rs. 4,000/- per month to sustain themselves in the camps. So far many valley based groups have surrendered to the State Government.

The State Government with active support from the Centre has made successful efforts to bring the hill based groups from Kuki-chin-Mizo groups to peace process by entering into Suspension of Operations by signing tripartite agreements with the Kuki National Organization (KNO) and United Peoples Front (UPF). The Government has constructed designated camps where these groups are stationed. The Naga insurgency issues are directly handled by the Central Government.

The fear of insecurity among the people of Manipur on the Territorial integrity of the State is another concern. The State Assembly and the State Government has made it clear4 time and again that the territorial integrity of the State is non-negotiable.

Insurgency in Manipur has been very much a product, if not an outgrowth of the historical, economic and political circumstances of society in the region. It is the manifestation of unarticulated furies within this society. Even those who now believe that the causes of insurgency have lost their relevance on account of numerous shifts in the paradigms that define and give value to these causes, would recommend a political solution.

Development and peace has to go together hadn in hand. The ultimate solution to the insurgency lies in political settlement. The State and the Central Government are open for any political negotiation for settlement of the insurgency movement in the state. Women played major role in shaping the history of Manipur. The involvement of women in negotiatinng peace should not be undermined. One big example is the role played by Mothers Associations in containing violence in Churachandpur district recently. Remember, Greek women withdrew all sexual privileges from their husbnads to force the end of Polynesian war in the ancient times. There is a need to involve the civil society and the intellectuals of Manipur in the peace making and economic development of the State.

For a lasting solution to anyproblem, I agree that the solution will have to be defined through a two-way discourse. The quest for peace must necessarily be synonymous with a genuine attempt towards creating a just order of things. This necessitates honest introspection and retrospection. We need to widn the vision of the past, present and the future considerably, and see things within a consensual and democratic perspective.

One man’s delicacy can very well be another’s sacrilege. A middle ground where even these directly opposing points of view can meet has to be created. For violence to end permanently, the residual sense of anger and outrage among all commuinities, big or small, must first be put to rest. This cannot mean that the onus of settling these conflicts rests solely on the shoulders of only those on one side of thse conflicts. All parties to the conflict will have to engage in a process of give and take. Only such a solution can be honourable for all. Only such a solution can be just and lasting. I wish that an amicable political solution should emerge soon and the state marches ahead with glory.

(Excerpts from Deputy CM Gaikhangam’s concluding remarks on the Seminar on the seminar on ‘An Emergent Manipur: The Way Ahead” at HQ IGAR (S) on October 1, 2015.)