TODAY -

Militarism and Future of Democracy in Manipur
— History and Ideology of Resistance —
Part 2

Kangujam Sanatomba *



Militarism and Future of Democracy in Manipur



The Merger Agreement has become central to the political mobilisation of armed resistance against what they call occupation of Manipur by the Indian State. The armed-opposition groups of Manipur contested the Manipur Merger Agreement 1949 on the ground that it was executed under 'duress' and 'coercion'. It is also alleged that the Maharaja did not have the authority to enter into such an agreement as he was during the moment of the signature merely a titular head of the State under the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947.

The Agreement was, the allegation continues, neither approved by his Council of Ministers nor ratified by the Manipur State Assembly, which had existed prior to the Agreement. The said Agreement was in the form of a 'personal contract' between the king and the Government of India and therefore the Agreement does not reflect any imprint between two States. The king did not sign the Agreement on behalf of the people of Manipur but only on behalf of himself, his heirs and his successors.

It thus left a room for the people to endorse or reject the Agreement. The weakness of the Agreement lies also in the fact that the people of Manipur did not give consent in any form to the Merger Agreement as no referendum was held on that issue. Therefore, the Manipur Merger Agreement of 1949 does not have any legality and Constitutional validity in the views of the resistance groups.

In the leftist discourse, resistance to the Indian State is also articulated in the form of class struggle. The primary target of the class struggle is to overthrow the Indian capitalist regime and its compressor class. The ultimate objective envisioned by the left-wing resistance groups is to set up an egalitarian society free from feudal oppression, colonial subjugation, and class exploitation. The resistance groups with leftist orientation identify their armed struggle as revolution and call themselves as revolutionary groups. The widespread use of the term revolution by the armed opposition groups indicates the influence of communist ideology on the concerned groups.

Another ideological stream of resistance is the revivalist school. Those who subscribe to this school of thought advocate the revival of the ancient glory of the Meitei Nation. They want to recover and preserve the religion, script, custom, tradition, social ethos, cultural values and political institutions of the past. They draw their inspiration from the imagined glory of the ancient Meitei civilisation.

The resistance group(s) advocating revivalist ideology had offered their resistance not only to the Indian State, but also to the Indian culture and religion. The revivalist discourse has been able to give a civilisational dimension to the conflict in Manipur ie conflict between the Indic civilisation and the Mongoloid civilisation. As such, the conflict between Manipur and India is not merely a politico-military conflict betw-een two nations but a conflict between two civilisations.

The act of resistance further generates a nationalist contestation to the Indian rule in Manipur. Resistance to the Indian State is rather articulated as a National Liberation Struggle by claiming that it is not even a demand for independence. It is instead, as the Chairman of the UNLF, RK Sanayaima in his interview with the CNN-IBN in 2006 asserts, a question of regaining the lost sovereign independence of Manipur.

) Similarly, the RPF also claims that the existing issue is not an internal matter of India as the Government of India understands, but purely a conflict between two nations. The conflict, according to RPF, is between Manipur and India and this is due to the annexation of Manipur by India in 1949. It, therefore, considered it irrational to hold unemployment and underdevelopment as factors responsible for launching the liberation movement.

In this regard, the UNLF had also stated thus, "Not even the biggest development package under a new governing structure within the Indian Union can buy us out." The RPF also holds the view that their struggle is not a separatist or secessionist movement on account of the fact that they are not asking or demanding even an inch of the Indian Territory that existed as in 1947. Claiming that Manipur was never a part of India, the armed opposition group remarked that their resistance is a movement for national liberation which aimed at restoring the independence of Manipur.

The Future of Democracy

The future of democracy in Manipur is, I believe, contingent upon the possibility or impossibility of resolving the prevailing political conflict. But before going for any project of conflict transformation, it is imperative to understand the types of conflict prevailing in Manipur. In my understanding conflict in Manipur may be classified into two types, viz (1) vertical conflict and (2) horizontal conflict.

The vertical conflict is the type of conflict involving the Indian State on the one hand and the non-State actors of Manipur on the other. The horizontal conflict refers to the conflict between the armed groups or between different ethnic communities. Of the two types of conflict, vertical conflict stands out as the principal or core conflict while the horizontal conflict remains as the secondary conflict. It is secondary in a sense that its resolution is strictly contingent upon the resolution of the vertical conflict.

As a matter of fact, the vertical-horizontal paradigm may also be equally applicable at the regional level. The vertical conflict and the horizontal conflict are structurally interlinked. De-intensification of the vertical conflict (conflict between the Government of India and the struggling communities of the North East as represented by the insurgent groups) correspondingly leads to intensification of the horizontal conflict (conflict between the struggling communities of the region).

Intensification of the vertical conflict, however, may or may not lead to de-intensification of the horizontal conflict. Similarly, intensification or de-intensification of the horizontal conflict may or may not have any bearing correspondingly on the vertical conflict. But the present dynamics indicates that the horizontal conflict is conditioned more by the vertical conflict and not the vice versa. Therefore, it may be assumed that resolution of the horizontal conflict is contingent upon the resolution of the vertical conflict.

Once the core conflict is resolved or transformed, all the marginal conflicts will get automatically transformed and disappear. Therefore, what I want to emphasise is that the principal issue should be resolved at the first place so that secondary issues will have their logical transformation. This calls for identification and recognition of the basic incompatibility underlying the core conflict.

One of the most significant factors responsible for the failure of conflict transformation in Manipur has been the stiff political stance of the armed opposition groups not to hold talks with the Government of India except on the issue of sovereignty, on the one hand, and the refusal of the Government of India to discuss the same, on the other hand. The issue of sovereignty, thus, constitutes the bone of contention between the Government of India and the armed opposition groups of Manipur. However, a meeting point must be chalked out if conflict has to be resolved and democracy restored.

In order to break the deadlock, firstly, the issue of sovereignty may be included in the political talk between the Government of India and the armed opposition groups of Manipur. Listing the issue of sovereignty as the agenda for any political dialogue does not necessarily imply that sovereignty should or should not be granted to the other conflicting party. Open dialogue on the issue of sovereignty should at least be open up for generating healthy debates towards conflict transformation.

Secondly, in the event of any political dialogue, "the distinctiveness of the historical and political realities of Manipur" must be taken into account:

(A) Distinctiveness of Historical Realities

  1. Manipur was never a part of India
  2. Manipur was an independent sovereign State in between August 15, 1947 to October 15, 1949
  3. The Manipur Merger Agreement, 1949 was executed in violation of established procedural norms
(B) Distinctiveness of Political Realities
  1. Prevailing conflict is a political conflict involving two legitimate entities
  2. There can never be a lasting military solution
  3. Political dialogue is the only option to resolve the conflict.
Recognition of these realities will go a long way in resolving or transforming the prevailing conflict in Manipur. Seeking a military solution to an issue which is entirely political in nature would prove to be highly counter- productive for India in the long run. Besides, a military solution to the ongoing political conflict is a misplaced notion. Extensive deployment of Army and continued enforcement of AFSPA for the last 30 years or so has absolutely failed to produce any substantive outcome. The militaristic approach needs to be replaced with a political approach in order to find a satisfactory resolution to the protracted Indo-Manipur conflict.

Adopting uncompromising stances and setting conditions for any proposed political dialogue or peace process may not be constructive and productive at this historical juncture. Nevertheless, the only pre-condition for any political dialogue is the recognition of the fact that the conflict between the Government of India and the armed opposition groups of Manipur is 'political'. Unless all the different quarters of concerns particularly the GoI officially recognises the centrality of the issue and political nature of the conflict, restoration of peace and democracy in Manipur will ever remain an elusive dream.



Full text of the speech delivered at the Colloquium on "Militarism and Future of Democracy in Manipur" organised by Manipur Research Forum, (Imphal & Delhi) in collaboration with Department of Philosophy, Manipur University, Canchipur; All Manipur Working Journalist Union, Imphal; Indian Council of Social Science Research (NERC), Shillong; and Human Rights Alert, Imphal. March 24-26, 2011. Venue: Manipur University, Canchipur.

Concluded ..


* Kangujam Sanatomba wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on July 08, 2011.



* 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