TODAY -

8,000 insurgents surrender in north east since 2014 yet Manipur burning

Nirendra Dev *



It is one of the paradoxes of our times and the north east region, the policy makers ought to comprehend effectively. As of April 2023, as many as 8,000 insurgents surrendered and joined 'mainstream society', says the Government of India yet none can deny the violence and multi-pronged troubles the state of Manipur has landed.

Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Manipur coincides with the Modi government completing nine years in office and also an obvious fact that in less than a year the country will plunge into electoral mode. A question asked in 2019 -- Can India afford another five years of Modi regime - will be asked again.

There are other statistics on positive contributions of Modi-led dispensation.

Let us take a glance.

Seven airports built in the last 9 years in the northeast, 4,016 km of road projects are currently ongoing and around 2,000 projects worth Rs 22,000 crore sanctioned for the region since 2014.

Waterways have been given a mega boost and 19 new waterways added as the lifelines of commute and trade, 8 additional airports operationalised and 100 percent Broad Gauge electrified under North East Frontier railways. Some benefits too could be measured. Officials claim around one crore tourists arrived in 2022 to the region and the factors being attributed are better connectivity.

Northeast India has been propelled as a gateway to Southeast Asia due to its unique offerings in tourism, horticulture, handloom and sports, goes another line of assertion and campaign.

In order to respect public opinion and appreciate the native sentiments, something considered overdue was done. They were noteworthy instances of recognition of hitherto unsung heroes including Lachit Borphukan and Rani Gaidinliu.

In terms of connectivity, the Bogeebil Rail-cum Road Bridge, the longest rail cum road project in India has been achieved.

What has definitely excited the people of Manipur, the Jiribam-Imphal rail line, the world’s tallest girder rail bridge, has also been taken up.

Another such milestone has been the Dhola -Sadiya Bridge - which is India’s longest bridge.

"In line with India’s ethos of ‘Swasthya ke Saptrishisi’, Assam will be developed now as South Asia’s largest cancer hospital network and the state of Sikkim attained the stature of the first state in the world to become fully organic in farming in 2018," an official source said.

Officials also claim good progress in organic farming in Meghalaya and agro-based products of Nagaland including Bhoot Jhaolkiia (hot green chilly) has reached London. The Sangai Festival of Manipur and Hornbill Festival of Nagaland too have been encouraged. PM Modi himself inaugurated the Hornbill Fest of Nagas in 2014 within months of his taking over.

The sum and substance, why we are still complaining. Why people do not hesitate to burn effigies of central leaders over minor to major controversies and issues.

Home Minister Amit Shah's effigy was burnt after Oting tragic botched up operation in 2021 and more recently Manipuri women did not hesitate to burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also of Amit Shah.

Actually these contradictions are not puzzles per se. They are the real messages. Come, and try to understand our problems before you claim you have fallen in love with this region.

One message is people's confusion. Can I be a nationalist and yet be a good native Naga or a Mizo? Or do I have to give up being a good Kuki, Sema or Angami and then become a good Naga or a good 'citizen of Manipur'?

It is high time the policy makers and the intellectuals give a convincing message that no man need fear that by becoming a nationalist he will make himself an anti-Mizo or anti-Naga.

In his masterpiece 'The Conquest of Happiness' Bertrand Russel says - "The man divided against himself looks for excitement and distraction ..... he loves strong passion". Russel further explains that 'passion' takes the man 'outside himself'. This applies to human kind at the global stage but it applies more to the people of north east.

In the end, we have three terminologies very crucial for north east India -- Different, Separate and Foreign. Often I find these terms intermingling. This is not a generalised statement about the vast region out of nothing.

Historically, the various ethnic groups have never been together or were they?

The northeast as a unit is a product of colonial legacy and all stakeholders have to appreciate the gravity of the situation. The destruction/demolition of the Naga Club building at Kohima is a pointer -- could anyone imagine even a decade back that such a thing can happen.

We are in different times. We may look for 'separate' angles to the same thing; and our views may be extremely 'foreign' to each other.


* Nirendra Dev wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer is a New Delhi-based journalist.
The writer can be contacted at nirendev1(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on June 01 2023 .



* 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
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #6: Download
  • Violence in Manipur 2023 :: News Timeline
  • Conflict in Manipur: Summary of issues
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #5
  • Get to know more about Canine Distemper
  • The Power of Poppy - 3 :: Poem
  • Why Is Manipur Burning ?
  • Condemns Biased UN Side Event
  • Inpui Baptist Church celebrated Decadal
  • When the public relations fail #2
  • A decade for youth to make India #1
  • Tell the story to the outside world
  • Misleading the House of Commons
  • 'Laangban Chara Tamba' #2: Gallery
  • Village Volunteers: Protectors of the Nation
  • World Bamboo Day Painting Comp. results
  • Voluntary Blood Donation Camp
  • Improved potato varieties suited to Manipur
  • Autumn hair care: Tips for healthier hair
  • Manipur cannot go on like this
  • Shifting the theatre of war to Geneva
  • 1958: Kuki Chiefs' Memo to Union HM
  • Never too early never too late
  • Celebrities' approaches to Mental Health
  • International Day of Peace
  • Litter box training for cats
  • Trek leaders training programme
  • An indifferent Delhi
  • A good move with bad intention
  • Protesters & AR @Pallel #2: Gallery
  • Before the inflection point in our society !
  • Whither Naga Peace? Spl session of Parl
  • Lumpy Skin Disease
  • In total chaos since May 3 evening
  • Clutching at straws by drowning man
  • Winter Relief @ Mayang Imphal : Gallery
  • World Bamboo Day at Chandigarh
  • Will leaders walk the talk to end TB at UN
  • When the public relations fail #1
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #4
  • Reimpose AFSPA call
  • Lesson to be learnt from SAFF boys
  • Breaches of International Humanitarian Law
  • Do we have a Government!
  • 'Birthday boy' glows, critics wonder...
  • Two Murals from Two Corners
  • Sir, a birthday treat for us
  • 'Laangban Chara Tamba' #1: Gallery
  • Student Council: Pillars of Governance
  • World Ozone Day observed at Imphal
  • Col N Hemachandra: Brigadier in Army
  • The Power of Poppy - 2 :: Poem
  • Manipur Crisis: You can bring Delhi to Imphal
  • Manipuri Kokyet finds space in Parliament
  • Relief materials at Moirang, Thoubal
  • Armed Forces' role in Manipur under scrutiny
  • India elevated G20 as 'premier forum'
  • 'Solution first, peace later' slogan
  • Hoping against hope
  • Candle light vigil @ Kangla #2: Gallery
  • DMCC met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
  • The existential crisis - The Reality
  • Seriousness of legal proceedings
  • Role of Governor in summoning Assembly #2
  • One-sided reports vis-a-vis Manipur crisis
  • Death of a Sub-inspector
  • Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra : Download
  • Dr Marjit: Academic Award at Malaysia
  • Interreligious Appeal to end violence
  • Gurkha War & diaspora in Manipur #3
  • Manipur Special Youth Assembly Session
  • From new districts to separate State
  • Looking for ally, desperately
  • Protesters & SF @Kwakta #1: Gallery
  • An Open Letter to President Joe Biden
  • Elephants in a Seed
  • Switzerland of India become a love lost State
  • Restoration of mining affected areas
  • Why did Army invite EGI : CJI
  • EGI invited by Army for objective assessment!
  • Note on Kuki-Hmar Trouble [1960]
  • Sober Thoughts
  • Weaving Looms presented at Relief Camp
  • A compassionate relief & cash payment
  • Sisters and brothers :: Poem
  • Coming to the negotiating table
  • The way forward
  • Protesters & AR @Pallel #1: Gallery
  • Romi Meitei : Best director @Kazan film fest
  • Success of Rahmani30 in Manipur NEET-UG
  • Modi, Biren, Shah exposes tragic series
  • Bharat is older than India
  • Mega Health Camp & Skill Development
  • Demand for ST tag by Meiteis
  • Internationalising the Kuki-Meitei conflict
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #5: Download
  • Creating Hope Through Action
  • Ningthoujam Binoy: National Teachers' Award
  • The Power of Poppy - 1 :: Poem
  • Role of Governor in summoning Assembly #1
  • Gurkha War & diaspora in Manipur #2
  • Darkest Era of Meiteis
  • Robert Memorial Internship Awarded
  • Churachandpur Meiteis at the crossroads
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #3
  • Meeting of Meitei Club, Burari
  • G20 call to action in agriculture
  • Silent on the remains at CCpur
  • The resolution to unite all CSOs
  • Rebuttal: EGI Fact-finding Mission Report
  • S Tiken (Thang-Ta) Fellowhsip Award
  • Manipuri or Meitei ?
  • Relief Distribution at Wakhong Pukao
  • Human-centric globalisation : Taking G20
  • Cancer Screening at SP Office, Imphal
  • Doing a disservice to Kuki-Chin cause
  • Epidemic threat at relief centres
  • The Chothes of Manipur
  • Communalism; A Dangerous Ism
  • Condemns the incident at Chalwa
  • Unity - need of the hour
  • International Day of Police Cooperation
  • 5,000 Scholarships for 1st year undergrad
  • Classic case of victimising the victims
  • 11 years in service and raring to go
  • Relief Work - August 2023 : Gallery
  • Krishna Leela
  • Gurkha War & diaspora in Manipur #1
  • Cancer Awareness at Imphal East
  • Training on cultivation of mushroom
  • Illegal immigrants & Manipur violence
  • Missing fact in EGI's fact-finding report
  • Is govt inviting a 3rd Nupi Lal ?
  • The Chieftaindom of Kukis
  • The role of teachers in society
  • Condolence Message
  • Framework for the future of work
  • Understanding Manipur crisis in four days!
  • The case of 'Meitei media'
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #2
  • Winter Relief Services commenced
  • Special Session of Parliament
  • Advantage of simultaneous election in India
  • Fake Finding Committee ?
  • Poisoning the mind of Kuki-Chin people
  • Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra #4 : Book
  • Organic links between C3C & Manipur conflict
  • Entrepreneur set to introduce first Tea Wine
  • Remedies to reduce hair growth on upper lip
  • Rally against Narco-Terrorism #3 : Gallery
  • On ethnic Nationalism & exclusive domains
  • Stay vigilant on Employment Offers
  • Waterways development in NE India
  • Condemn accusations on Pangal
  • Violence doesn't bring lasting solution #2
  • Feeding lies and more lies
  • Blame it on CSOs
  • Climate Change & flawed solution in Manipur
  • 92th Martyrdom Day of Haipou Jadonang
  • Change the minds, Peace is possible anytime
  • Who is running Nagaland Govt ?
  • Chronological report on Manipur violence #1
  • Manipur Distress Relief Work : August
  • Playing heroes on social media
  • Yes, it's time for a public assembly
  • Haipou Jadonang Martyrdom Day
  • September Calendar for Year 2023 : Tools
  • Statement of Thadou Students' Assn
  • Land of jewel trapped under conspiracies #4
  • Health Awareness Programme at MU
  • Manipur- 13 medals at Junior National Judo
  • Where have the guns come from ?
  • The curious case of 10 Kuki MLAs
  • Candle light vigil @ Kangla #1: Gallery
  • Restoring peace - The talk of the town
  • National Sports Day 2023
  • Rethinking caste-based reservations in India
  • Why computer studies is gaining popularity
  • Cold bucket of water after a hot shower
  • Committing a crime to avoid a crisis
  • Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra #3 : Book
  • 19th Asian Games: 43 Manipuri athletes
  • Relationship of Manipur & Tai kingdom #3
  • Violence doesn't bring lasting solution #1
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Bangladesh's aid to Myanmar
  • Does 'separate State' agenda drive violence?
  • Is the Chief Minister lying?
  • Hunger Marchers' Day
  • Sudden strike & the knotty quagmire
  • Moon, Bharatnaut and ShivShakti
  • Even Rocket Science is doable
  • Tales from relief camps
  • All in a day's session
  • Manipur in History: Reflection...
  • Langonjam Birmangal: Manipuri literature #2
  • Onam Fever (Festival of Kerala)
  • Cancer Awareness Program at Khongman
  • Manipuri film @ National Film Award
  • Huidrom Oliviya: bronze at World Cadet Judo
  • Patriots' Day @ Kangla: Gallery
  • Neol Chawang: Scientist at ISRO Mission
  • Regarding Meitei student assault in M'lore
  • 'Lembi Leima' wins at Film Festival Jaipur
  • Land of jewel trapped under conspiracies #3
  • Dettol Hygiene Olympiad 2.0
  • Changing narratives antagonising people
  • Rubbishing the indigeneity claim
  • Indigenous Games of Manipur
  • The unfolding of Violent events in Manipur
  • Congratulations to Dr Raghu Ningthoujam
  • Scientist Raghu Ningthoujam leads team
  • Intractable Framework Agreement of IM
  • Protesters with Army [Aug 03] #3 : Gallery
  • Ningthoujiam Raghu, Bishal Singha: ISRO
  • Sachinker About Working In 'Oneness'
  • Silence & outrage on Manipur violence
  • Engagement with stakeholders
  • Lessons should have been learnt
  • Better to act now than be sorry late
  • Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra #2 : Book
  • ...push Meiteis to precarious situation
  • Where is the people's Chief Minister ?
  • Fund drive for relief effort in Manipur
  • National Sports Day
  • Interim rehabilitation measure of Govt
  • Exclusive domains out of pluralistic Manipur!
  • Indigenous Wrestling @ Purul : Gallery
  • Langonjam Birmangal: Manipuri literature #1
  • Request to use Smart Phone Election Apps
  • The Future of Manipur
  • Moving towards a settlement
  • Planned aggression: To what end ?
  • Fanning humanitarian crisis with ingenuity
  • Patriots' Day @ Thangal Temple: Gallery
  • Maram folklore & Meitei connection
  • Koijam Athouba: 3rd Gold @Aquatic National
  • A call for true freedom
  • 'Remove Assam Rifles' [Aug 07] #2 : Gallery
  • Raja Dumbragi Jeevan Charitra #1 : Book
  • Patriots' Day @ Hicham Yaicham : Gallery
  • Model of Spelling-bee Competition
  • Patriots' Day @ New Delhi : Gallery
  • Protest against AR [9 Aug] : Gallery
  • Taionaba Taibang Gi Akanba Nongju
  • Protesters with Army [Aug 03] #2 : Gallery
  • Nang-eigi Pangal Sonbi Emado
  • 'Remove Assam Rifles' [Aug 07] #1 : Gallery
  • Rally against Narco-Terrorism #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2023 #3: Gallery
  • HSLC 2023 :: Top 25 Rank Holders
  • HSLC 2023 :: Subject Topper
  • HSLC 2023 :: Full Result
  • HSLC 2023 :: Compartmental Result
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Science
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Arts
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Commerce
  • From May 3, 1993 to the present
  • COVID-19 : Impact in Manipur :: News Timeline
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar for 2023