Tumultuous year - 2023 - North East India
Manipur hit headlines for wrong reasons

Nirendra Dev *

The state of Manipur was amongst headlines for 'wrong reasons' and Mizoram took on a corrective path putting pressure on the new dispensation under new Chief Minister Lalduhoma.

In neighbouring Nagaland, the state was back to its new normal -- nothing much can happen, 'no need breaking the head' type syndrome haunting many people.

In the first few weeks of the year, the question whether Nagaland state assembly elections would be held on time echoed .... until the announcement came giving a relief to the status quo club. Mr Chingwang Konyak continues to have the last laugh as the NDPP chief. India's ruling party BJP in Nagaland looks 'outsourced' and continues to do so !!

By the time year ended, veteran S C Jamir dashed off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and so did the influential Gaon Burrah Federation. The NGBF leaders even called on Governor La Ganesan. But not many are optimistic about any Solution coming !

Importantly, the outcome in Mizoram elections actually leaves a political lesson about Manipur and how the ethnic conflicts between Meiteis and Kukis ought to be seen. PM Narendra Modi was to address a poll rally in Mamit, around 80 km from Mizoram capital Aizawl, on October 30. But he had to opt out from the programme as for a rare occasion the 'popular' Prime Minister staying away from Mizoram in the election season leaves a very powerful message.

The then Mizoram CM Zoramthanga -- apparently playing back to his own vote bank gallery - refused to share a stage with PM Modi during the campaign for assembly elections. "The people of Mizoram are all Christians. When the people of Manipur (Meities) burned hundreds of churches in Manipur, they were (Mizos) totally against that kind of idea. To have sympathy with the BJP at this time will be a big minus point for my party," Zoramthanga told BBC News in an interview.

"It will be better if the prime minister comes alone and he shares the platform by himself, and I take the stage separately by myself," Zoramthanga had said. One could not be more bitter about a Prime Minister in office.

This also brings us to a crucial aspect of politico-administration in the northeast. The North East tribal Christians will be more than delighted to see a Solution to the pending Naga issue, and it is thus the Salvation route for the Prime Minister vis-a-vis the anguish among the people in the region.

Local citizens in state capital Aizawl say there will be a lot of expectations from the new ZPM government and the new chief minister Laldhouma, an ex-cop, will find the going tough. Locals also say while the state was "awaiting" change in corridors of power. The mandate against the MNF is somewhat unusual.

One is aware of the strong elements of 'us' and 'they' syndromes in the region.

A large number of people were killed in Manipur in the clashes between Meiteis and Kukis and Zos; while scores of others have been injured. Thousands have fled Manipur with over 8,000 people now taking shelter in Mizoram. Kukis share ethnic bonding with the Mizos and hence the demand for Greater Mizoram also rekindled.

One can say the state of Manipur as a whole and three segments of societies -- the Meiteis, the Kukis and Nagas - cannot be seen flirting dangerously with civil unrest. The northeastern region has seen enough of such clashes and enough of so-called ethnic 'cleansing'. Biharis, Bengali Hindus and Gorkhalis have been at the receiving end in Shillong in Meghalaya and people left for good.

Forget tribals-non tribals; episodes like the Reang-Mizo differences and Naga-Kuki issues of the 1990s were really unfortunate. It is time sanity prevails and the 'sincerity' displayed by all will be important achievements.

Now can there be 'stability' in near future in Manipur or other parts of northeast when political volatility ruled the roost?

There is another untouched subject the 'economic fragility' that too characterised 2023 for the northeast.