BY DAWA TSHERING

LIFE in Manipur, wracked by insurgency and under a draconian act giving special powers to the armed forces, is never easy. The blockade had made it even more perilous.

It was started on April 11 by Naga people, in protest at Manipur’s announcement of local elections in Naga-inhabited areas of the state. Nagas live in several states besides Nagaland. They have fought a six-decade insurgency for an autonomous "Greater Nagaland" including chunks of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. A ceasefire with the government has largely held since 1997. But successive rounds of peace talks have yielded little. Non-Naga Manipuris, however, who have their own violent secessionist movement, are alarmed by Naga ambitions.

The blockade was given new impetus earlier when Manipur government stopped Thuingaleng Muivah, the leader of the separatist group with which the government signed the ceasefire, from visiting the Manipuri village where he was born. This sparked violent protests in Mao, a town near the Nagaland-Manipur border.

The NSCN (IM) leader is seen as a breaker of peaceful co-existence of communities, threat to unity and entity of Manipur, responsible for criminal acts and human rights violations by the people and government in Manipur. People are angry because of his and NSCN (IM)’s political agenda and their past crimes especially "uncivilised communal actions". Muivah should not be shocked if he recalls what NSCN (IM) under his leadership has done to Manipur and its people.

United We Stand

First some knowledge of Manipur is necessary which he and NSCN (IM) may not like to hear or falsely propagate to the world for their own purposes. Unlike Nagaland or any other region of the world, Manipur is like mini-India with various communities living together with no restriction people coming to or going out of Manipur. Besides historically evolved political entity for centuries, Manipur is the traditional home of Meiteis, Manipuri Muslims, Nagas and Kuki-Chin people with close socio-cultural, economic, political and emotional ties.

Historical, cultural and linguistic ties between two communities, Meitei and Tangkhul are well known. Muivah may not understand all the languages/dialects of Naga people but he can speak Manipuri language (the mother tongue of Meities and Manipuri Muslims). Such is the hard truth and irony of modern life. There is the story of Meitei and Tangkhul being brothers and the role of Naga in Lai Haraouba of Meitei continues from ancient times.

Former chief ministers, late Yangmaso Shaiza and Rishang Keishing, the present Rajya Sabha MP and other political leaders, administrators and personalities are from Tangkhul community. History, culture, memories and people stand against the goal of NSCN (IM) led by Muivah who continuously attempt to destroy Manipur especially close relations between Meiteis and Tangkhuls only for political reasons.

Silent Sufferers

Gandhi was thrown out of the first class train cabin in South Africa and Ambedkar was not allowed to attend school yet they worked hard to change the mindset of opponents. Living and accepting a socially diverse environment is a product of modern life. How long Muivah and NSCN (IM) will continue to pursue only for Nagas agenda?

The second major reason has been the past crimes like heavy extortion on vehicles on National Highway No 39 and communal and uncivilised acts by NSCN (IM) under his guidance in Manipur. Kuki people can not forget "ethnic cleansing" and their sufferings deliberately committed by NSCN (IM) in the 1990s. The NSCN (IM) failed to drive out all the Kukis but succeeded in creating division as well sufferings to both Kukis and Naga people in Manipur.

The sufferings of the people of Manipur was due to shortage of essential items artificially created by NSCN (IM) "instigated" economic blockade for more than one month. The beneficiaries were the black marketers, shopkeepers and big businessmen. Why Muivah turned back only after killing of two youths and many injuries at Mao? Damage to government offices and growing communal passions, resignation drama of NSCN (IM) "controlled" seven independent MLAs are consequences of politics over his visit. Does not Muivah feel disturb and sad that even his own Naga people are also suffering and frustrated by his politics?

For only political reasons, Muivah and NSCN (IM) can ignore or delete the above facts and their inhuman crimes from their brains. People of Manipur especially the Nagas have suffered silently, directly or indirectly at the hands of NSCN (IM) for decades. What socialism, sovereignty and Greater Nagaland, Muivah and NSCN (IM) have been talking about when they have done nothing to improve conditions of their own people? Perhaps he only knows of Jinnah becoming a ruler but was he aware of the consequences of partition of India on people and second class status of those Muslims who went and live in Pakistan?

Muivah and his friends spent most of their time in foreign cities yet continue to play havoc with the lives of people in Manipur specially Nagas. What is the constructive or progressive thing Muivah and NSCN (IM) have done for the people of Manipur? What they do with the hundreds of crores collected as "Nagaland Tax" from public, governments and businessmen?

Unrealistic Goals

The question arises, do Muivah and NSCN (IM) believe in democracy and democratic methods of resolving conflicts? Of course he and NSCN (IM) must have been offended by Manipur Cabinet’s ban and opposition by political parties, protests by civil organizations in Manipur. What about some introspection and see his and NSCN (IM)’s role and contribution in the present stand off? The present conflict and politics cannot become fight between all Nagas and other communities in Manipur specially Meiteis despite propaganda and provocation by NSCN (IM). Because people are no more fools and do not like them to be used as political weapons. NSCN (IM) talks about the violation of Naga rights, peace and respect but do they care the same for others including Naga common people?

The Union Home Minister, Mr P Chidambaram, must realise his mistake first and then must learn how to talk politely to an elected head of government in a democratic and federal system. He can be polite to a rebel leader as he and centre have been doing. Time has come for Muivah and NSCN (IM) leaders to change their stubborn ways for their own sake in the old age. If Muivah and his friends can reduce the present agony of the people of Manipur and assure peaceful co-existence, their own frustration present and future will be automatically reduced. They must ask as to what they have done for Nagas who have been used and misused for decades.

It is high time that Muivah and NSCN (IM) realise that the major sources of their frustration are their own unrealistic goals. Let people, peace and progress be the focus not politics.–INAV