TODAY -

Indo – Manipur talks : The core issue

Lt Col Laishram Lokendra Singh (Retd) *

Fifth round of tripartite talk between the Central Govt, State Govt and United Naga Council at Senapati :: 12 February 2013
Fifth round of tripartite talk between the Central, State Govt and UNC at Senapati on 12 Feb 2013 :: Pix - Bullu Raj



Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh expressing concern over the Naga issue to the CM of Mizoram Lal Thanhawla during their meeting at Delhi on Feb 25, 2013 was an interesting piece of news. Did PM solicit the CM's help to solve the Naga Problem? Or did he mention the problem in passing ? Or was it a deliberate attempt to address the Christian Community that the PM is indeed seized with the problem of meeting a particular demand of the Community ? After all "Nagaland for Christ" is the slogan of NSCN (IM) and the PM of India dare not ignore the Christian lobby at the Centre; he may do so at his own peril.

Missionaries bid to create a Christian belt in the frontier region of the NE met with a stumbling block in the Hindu majority State of Manipur. From Arunachal in the North to Nagaland in the South, skipping over Manipur and then further South to Mizoram is the Christian belt.

However, if northern hill districts of Manipur were to be amalgamated one way or the other to Nagaland and if southern region of Manipur demanded by Kukis as their Homeland be separated out from the State, then Manipur would cease to exist and of course there would no more be a Hindu State. Thus the Christian lobby's dream of creating a Christian belt in the North Eastern Frontier region would have been fulfilled in letter and spirit.

Does this arrangement make any difference to the Indian Union – to the people of mainland India ? No. Boundaries would have been redrawn. Citizens would have been cloistered on religious lines. Territorial integrity of India nonetheless would still be intact. That's all. Only Meiteis who cherish the idea of Ima Leibak (Motherland) Manipur would have been delivered a death blow by the disintegration of what was handed down to them by their fore fathers as the Nation State of Manipur- a Hindu majority State.

Perhaps knowing India's mind, UNC has gone a step further after the last tripartite talk on Feb 12, 2013 at Senapati that the next round of talk would be at the political level as UNC's demand for an alternative arrangement before the Indo – Naga issue is settled is a separate legislature, separate administration and financial freedom from that of the communal Government of Manipur. And in this context UNC's claim that the Nagas are not communal is true to the last letter. The so called Nagas of Manipur are not communal in any way except the few leaders with vested interest who claim to speak for the entire tribal communities of different language, culture as one entity.

Now as if on cue and not to be outdone by the so called Nagas of Manipur, Kukis have gone ahead with their Public Blockade from midnight of Feb 24, 2013 demanding political dialogue with GOI for carving out a Kuki State from Manipur. And it does not matter to them that Higher Secondary Examinations are on and this form of agitation at this juncture will cause tremendous hardship to the students who may have no choice but to walk miles to reach their examination centres.

Christian lobby at the Centre would perhaps be watching with amusement the entire development in present day Manipur with increasing ethnic divide, ever widening social chasm amongst the so called Nagas of Manipur, Indian Kukis (as they now call themselves) and Meiteis.

In all this high decibel cacophony is the sepulchral silence of the Meiteis. NSCN (IM)/ UNC is engaging GoI in talks based on their so called Unique History, the details of which are not known to anybody outside of their clique. Likewise a political dialogue with KNO/KNA is in the offing as the Centre has already committed in public notwithstanding KSDC's Public Blockade or otherwise.

Meitei's problem by itself is an interesting phenomenon. It is a divided house – divided into a number of leaders, each claiming to be the indispensable and undisputed leader of the Meitei community, there is no question of thinking in unison leave alone working together. Each chauvinist leader is of the view that his idea is the only idea, the final idea and no one is entitled to come out with a second/another idea. That's why there are as many civil society organisations as there are leaders. Ironically, this is true of the Underground Organisations too.

UG movement of the Meiteis as of today as seen from a bird's (eagle's) eye view is that they seem to be rudderless, not knowing which direction and how to sail. Should they continue with their rhetoric of fighting for the independence of Ima Leibak (Motherland)? Question arises, "which Ima Leibak?" Is it the 2000 odd square kilometres of the plateau area called valley districts ?

Or is it the Manipur, the map of which is drawn in School Atlas ? Propaganda is easy. Reality is different. In today's Manipur, which section of the Manipuri society is buying their propaganda being dished out on regular basis in local dailies from time to time ? It's time they faced the reality. It's time they accepted the truth that they are seen by the people as nothing more than extortionists who are out to make money. People only envy the money they make and the houses they construct, nothing more.

Therefore, if and when a thinking insurgent, a serious insurgent who truly cares for the wellbeing of his Ima Leibak wants to continue the struggle for the so called Ima Leibak Manipur, then he must take the battle or the people's war from the military front to the political level where astute diplomacy will be the final step. The core issue in the Indo – Manipur talk then would be, as things stand today, to protect and preserve (before any one can think of fighting for its independence) the physical integrity of Manipur as has been handed down by their forefathers.

Not an easy task. It's a tall order by any standard. Needless to say ways and means to bring about emotional integrity of all the ethnic sections of Manipur society will have to be worked out. May be there will then be a requirement to demand for the declaration of Manipur as a Hill State considering the geographical fact that Manipur valley is geomorphorically a plateau covering approximately 8% of the total area of Manipur which essentially makes it a Hill State.

Alternatively a demand may be put up for making Meiteis schedule tribe to be placed at par with their brethren in the hills and live under one State one Law. In the final count co – existence as heretofore is the only solution to the myriad problems of Manipur which is like a mini-India with its diverse ethnic groups, language and culture. Is anybody listening?

(NB: Critical comments on Indo-Manipur Talks: The Core Issue solicited at lokendra_laishram(at)yahoo(dot)com )


* Lt Col Laishram Lokendra Singh (Retd) wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer can be contacted at lokendra_laishram(at)yahoo(dot)com
This article was posted on March 02, 2013



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #8
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • The fight for survival in Manipur
  • A call for unity from displaced voices
  • COVID-19: Update 08 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Dogs Are Staying on the Ground :: Poem
  • Football Tournament at Heinoukhongnembi
  • Condemns Kuki Inpi's Directive
  • Installation Ceremony of Lions Club, Imphal
  • All that can go wrong has gone wrong
  • Manipur peaceful from Delhi's perspective
  • Bashanta Ras @Govindaji #2 : Gallery
  • Hypocrisy & the betrayal of sovereignty
  • Healing with Art for children concluded
  • Manipur : Champions 24th Junior Natl Wushu
  • Path to Becoming a Leader Who Inspires
  • Van Mahotsav 2025, festival of life
  • The Flavours of Life :: Poem
  • Assault on sensibilities of the media
  • Revival of MPP after years of bitter disputes
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 2 : Ooba Video
  • Jianreilung, Chingamba, Masounii : eMing
  • How Jessami conservation of Nongin
  • Shija Hospitals turns 40
  • COVID-19: Update 06 July 2025 : Manipur
  • The Indomitable Young Souls :: Poem
  • Growing network of drug dealers in country
  • Politics of SoO pact since 2008
  • No takers for disturbance-free education
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025