Interview with Dr. George T. Haokip - protesting proposal to construct Smart City at Haolenphai

Tanisha Barua *

Dr. George T. Haokip

"Government neo-liberal approach is aggressive in nature and it result into people desperation"

Tanisha Barua talked to social activist Dr. George T. Haokip who raises a protest against government proposal to acquire 3000 acres of land at Haolenphai in Chandel district of Manipur. Kuki people are protesting the proposal to construct Smart City in their area. In this regard, a memorandum was submitted to home ministry by Kuki People Forum.

Q) Why protest Smart City? Don't you think it is a development project?
A) See, there should not be 'abusive' development. Any development initiatives should be base on compromise. There should be free, prior consent of the people. I strongly objected the proposal to acquire 3000 acres of land at Haolenphai without consulting the people. We would not appreciate any development proposal that challenge the foundation of our identity. Indigenous Kuki people livelihood depends on their land and natural resources. The 'Smart City' proposal at Haolenphai by all analyses has threatening impact on social, cultural and environmental. Neo liberal state aggression must be condemn and protested by as a common victim.

Q) You called government as aggressive, tell me the condition of people desperation.
A) Government neoliberal approach is aggressive in nature and it result into people desperation. It is the neoliberal market force that brought unfavorable situations in Manipur. It created bourgeois class who collaborated with the external forces. The desperate people are only left to assert and agitate against the aggressive policy of the State and destructive project.

Q) Don't you blame communal leader for the desperation?
A) I do agree that neoliberal policy has brought bourgeois elites who work together with the State force. They are centred on the control of political and economic powers. Their objective is to become communal leader and enjoy certain degree of personal control over land, labour, fund and resources. In this condition people become oppressed, communal and certain section of them become assertive. Here, 'divide and rule' policy by the State to achieve its aggressive policy is clearly visible. People should proscribe marketability of leadership.

Q) Recently Hon'ble Minister of Industry on the floor of the house announced it acquired 3000 acres of land at Haolenphai. Does not this sounds the land is already taken over?
A) The state government should come out with details on how it acquired the land overlapping the acquisition laws. This only shows the state government violative and repressive nature. No legal steps required in acquiring land for a project have been followed by the government. Most importantly people are not consulted and no notification have been issued inviting objection from the concern public.

Q) Well, would 300 acres settle the issue?
A) Government had first announced it required 300 acres for the project which was the size was increased to 3000 acres, why? Is not this a deceit? An inch of land is too precious as 3000 acres. It is not about size of the land rather it is about attachment with the land, rights and security of the people. It is against Kukis custom to give away land for any reason whatsoever.

Q) What about land right of the Kuki chief as land owner?
A) People often misinterpret between community land ownership practice elsewhere and Kuki chief landownership. In the latter case, the chief by custom is custodian of not only the land but also the community custom. The Kuki chief, therefore, is a custodian of the land. Chief of Haolenphai has no customary right to sale-off land without consulting the people. Bound by this tradition the chief of Haolenphai has consulted the people including Kuki Inpi.

Q) What role does Kuki civil society played? No pressures from the apex KIM and KSO (GHQ) are doing around.
A) No, public declaration made by Chief of Haolenphai on 27 July 2014 against selling the land for any reason whatsoever was the outcome of an agreement among the Kuki peoples. KSO GHQ had issued press statement and there was sit-in-protest at Moreh. Kuki People Forum has submitted memorandum in this regards to the home ministry, Kuki Chiefs Association also decry the proposal. Public consultation and workshop are organized here and there.

Q) Any reaction from the government?
A) Government has not made any response as yet. We look forward to government commitment on our sincere and genuine demands and come out with a solution acceptable. Our demand is democratic, just and rightful. Kuki people welcome Smart City to come up in Manipur but we can't compromise land as large as 3000 acres at Haolenphai, our relationship with land is like mother and child.

Q) As large as ...? Again would you agree with smaller size?
A) No, I already said land is the issue and not the size.

Q) Change from tradition to modernity is inevitable. Smart City instills spirit of modernity. What you say?
A) Yes, I do agree that change is inevitable. But such changes should be base on mutually acceptable term. Change has a limit beyond which it has counterproductive affect. Modern conflict and land alienation in Northeast are the direct consequences of change that was super impose by the colonialist. Neo liberal crisis is nothing but a picture of struggle against state 'superimposition'. We don't want development that would make our women prostitute and that our men guard them.

Q) What about SoO groups? Do they have different views?
A) None of these groups have made statement on the issue. It is presume that they agreed to the voice of the people whom they claim to work for and represented. I see, there is no danger or threat to state integrity in protecting indigenous land. It does not contrast SoO agreement.