TODAY -

E-Pao! Opinion - Valley vs Hills: A critique

Valley vs Hills: A critique

By: R Rungsung *

Manipur today is in a state of disorder (in a deeper sense anarchy) having a triangle body that consists of
i) Valley nationalists,
ii) Kuki Nationalists,
iii) Naga nationalists
wherein each body claims respective authority and rights that produce contradictions and impasse among the organisations and as a consequence this directly have or bears its impact good or bad in the minds of general public.

The beginning of the disorders started from the root of Naga uprising against the mighty India, and gradually and eventually took root and expanded its cause to wider areas that ultimately engulfed Manipur. The camera zooms in for close-up, focusing on internal violence.

Actually the exalted Manipur, Sanaleibak and its people has lost all sense of direction. A time comes when you can no longer blame your (our) problems on other people. In Pogo's immortal words, 'We have met the enemy, and he is us'. Today we are in a mess. Foes or friends?

Among the three organisations (group of people) the Meiteis are majority and are dominating in running the Govt and have the lion's share in all fields and other aspects of life. In this scenario I cannot blame all the ills of life here in Manipur solely to the Meitei community.

Since the time of Union Territory till to this day all the past Govts were borne and shouldered together both by valley and hill leaders of good or bad quality.

The second majority community, the Nagas, has been spearheading for its homeland and identity since last many years to which the valley people took strong and stringent methods at all costs to curb the Nagas struggle for its rights.

This is the crux in the process of co-existence honouring one another. Herein comes the Kuki organization whose views and ways are tilted either toward the valley or the Naga way. In this, Churachandpur is a summarising volcano that can/ will erupt anytime and spew down the burning ashes upon the inhabitants.

In a fair game, Meiteis and Nagas are on a see-saw plank each looking to Delhi with bated breathe and sleepless nights hoping for or hoping against in which Delhi is playing hide and seek policy with false and unpredictable promises, one at valley and another at hill areas.

In such dirty play of Delhi I can boldly say that we are all in the control of God. God has his own timing and finally God's will prevail. In this case men are free to obey or disobey. However, that disobedience is not beyond God's power. He knows and planned to judge the evil activities. Delhi is not honest.

Among the issues ‘territorial integrity Vs Naga integration’ is the hottest one where all Meiteis irrespective of clans, organizations, lups and political parties are solidly one - a solid state like the unbreakable rock firmly standing as a family for one Manipur. It is good to know that stand and a commendable practical collective action.

On the other hand Nagas are divided and today Nagas are experiencing a time of money-monger, disobedient to God, selfish, etc like Israel at the time of Old Testaments. And yet we believe that for a few faithful and trustworthy people a time will come for God's intervention sooner or later. The promise cannot be changed. God is always there.

God loves Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis and all. His intention is good. He will not allow dishonest Delhi leaders to bluff and crush us for the benefits and advantages of others. In the sight of God India's power is nothing and yet he cares for all.

On the course of Naga areas uniting with other Naga areas, Meiteis are bitter and aghast where its remedy will only be in the channel of understanding one another and seek peace among ourselves. Here Nagas will not or never reverse its course and will go on come what may and Meiteis will never give up the logic of one Manipur. So a big what? A good and well prepared confrontation is firmly set or a line is drawn between the contending parties. Shall we have to call for Delhi umpire? I wish not.

I don't want to enter and entertain the argument on the merits and demerits of belongingness to Meiteis or Nagas or Kukis out of which one of the contending group/party will emerge as winner but will further slide down-hill and will drifted apart. The best thing is to come together for good. If not willing, going one's way without disturbing other(s) is best.

This may sound unpleasant and non-acceptable logic to the valley people. If so undesirable confrontation of any kind may/will occur/ erupt paving the way to heavy burden and loss of precious lives. If this happens then that action will be final for total separation and departure on parallel road. I hope this will not happen. Naga is a nation-not an individual. As such a nation cannot be sacrificed at the cost of others.

Let us consider the past histories of various countries around the world. Viz
(i) USA destroyed Japan with atom bombs that led to Japan's surrender in WW2. Today they are closely related countries in security, economics and trades.

2. USA liberated from the British Empire and they are the best inseparable partners in all matters exercising world power. So are Meiteis and Tangkhuls related as they are ethnically related.

3. India under the yoke and rule of British suffered a lot. And yet today million of Indian origins are there as the full citizens of UK having members in both the houses of Parliament as Sir and Lord. Plus in commerce and trades are Mittal corpus, The Hindujas, Swaraj Paul & Co and so on.

4. A case to take a close look is the gone empire, the USSR, that broke up into fifteen independent nations with the formation of commonwealth of independent states exercising her own rights respecting one another for good.

In this line of advanced ideology Meiteis brothers and sisters will have to abandon the narrow ideology of self-possessiveness (Imphal Valley means all Manipur) and also forsake the boasting words, such as Sana Leipak with very limited resources (living on the doles of Delhi) which you call Manipur. The very name/title Manipur does not carry meaning in the minds and hearts of the hill people.

Someday, sooner or later, valley will have more Nagas than today and the hills will have more (many thousands) Meiteis like million Indians in the UK. In my humble opinion your ideas of possessiveness and the exercise of superiority are the main blockades that hamper the way to good relationship and peaceful co-existence.

Considering the living dead law called, the MLR and LA Act, of Manipur passed and enshrined in the code book has become a fish out of water. The mere fact of it is that the Act does not carry the people's mandate except those twenty tribal MLA stooges. The hope of Meiteis to reap the harvest baulked at the rockwall.

In the hearts of hill people there is no love lost for the valley. The significance of our love for you is testified by church buildings in town and in Leikais. So long valley people see them the bond of love is there.

This critique is based on the words predicted in Puya (Puran) like
... leipak kangkhong chaigani...
amaga-ama nungshinaloi...
nongpokthong hanggani...
phingang shetpana joi uoikani...
yaiphapa matam lakani... kuiraloi loishinrani.


If any of my word hurt someone and offend sentiment kindly forgive me.




R Rungsung wrote this article for The Sangai Express. This article was webcasted on March 25th, 2007.


* 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
  • Whispers between Beads & Silences #2
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Ahenba, Ngayailei, Dinringam : eMing
  • Bonds of love across the Burmese border
  • Investigate the action of Mahar Regiment
  • Shirui Lily Festival fosters brotherhood
  • Shining a light on retinoblastoma
  • Trump for Nobel peace prize
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • Action against harassment to journalists
  • Still, believe :: Poem
  • Change How You Think About Time
  • Nagas preserve heritage through handloom
  • India's declared undeclared war
  • Sanatan Sammelan 2025 at Imphal
  • No 'Manipur' in Manipur order
  • Improvised security steps for Shirui Lily fest !
  • Purul (Hiimai) Paoki Fest #3 : Gallery
  • Youth Empowerment at Shirui Lily Festival
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai
  • Audit for TB deaths is missing in #EndTB
  • Realm of Power :: Poem
  • Hospitals: Learn a bit about hospitality
  • Keeping the ST for Meiteis demand alive
  • Raking up ST issue as tension grips state
  • Manipur Hill Areas Act, 1967 #2
  • Welcome & Appeal from Shirui Village
  • Thoudam Akashini: Champion master athlete
  • National Endangered Species Day 2025
  • Avert Ego, Soul Near Me :: Poem
  • Clarification regarding News Coverage on AIR
  • Coming back after 4 years: Shirui Lily Fest
  • Festival to test efficiency of SFs
  • 76th Indian Republic Day #5 : Gallery
  • Khuraijam Phulendra Singh
  • Media role in preserving culture & harmony
  • World Hypertension Day 2025
  • Army Veterans pay tribute to Martyr Constable
  • The Power of Poppy - 81 :: Poem
  • Yaoshang Cooking competition : Gallery
  • Rejoice Singh: Makeup / Prosthetic: Gallery
  • Project Associate @ Assam University
  • Internship @ IEEE CIS Kolkata Chapter
  • Article 371C : Role of Governor & HAC #2
  • Recognize real ability, not marks
  • The rise of information warfare
  • Skin care routine for summer
  • Over three months of President's Rule
  • Toiling to reinstate Govt sans consensus
  • Whispers between Beads & Silences #1
  • Just to See :: Poem
  • Artisan blends craft to empower women
  • Chief Justice at Moirang Relief Camp
  • Lalruattluanga win at TrendVision Finale
  • Manipur mourn Deepak Chingakham
  • Strategic shift to underdeveloped regions
  • Candid NSCN (IM) make stand clear
  • Tourism festival under threat
  • 'Yelhou Yangkok Artist' Exhibit #3 : Gallery
  • Manipur Hill Areas Act, 1967 #1
  • NER Tech Hackathon 2.0 at Bengaluru
  • Nation bids farewell to BSF Braveheart
  • The Dichotomy of Existence :: Poem
  • Is our concentration span reduced drastically ?
  • Chief Justice at Urup Relief Camp
  • Need to regulate single use plastics
  • Dam repairing excuse amid food security
  • Cultural @ Tri-Nation Football #2 : Gallery
  • Loktak shines as Manipur's eco-tourism jewel
  • Practice for agricultural progress in Manipur
  • Blyth's Tragopan images captured in Shirui
  • Chief Justice at Konthoujam Relief Camp
  • Decoding the diabetic foot ulcer
  • Delhi do of Apr 5 to Kpi do of May 12
  • Political parties' stand on delimitation
  • 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 %
  • Admission: University degree at NIELIT Imphal
  • War & pieces by Leo toys
  • A score of over 90 pass percentage
  • Noney SOS to Governor
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei #2 : Gallery
  • Article 371C : Role of Governor & HAC #1
  • Conflicts intensify need for gender equality
  • Timor-Leste's children's learning centre
  • Role of Confidence Building Measures
  • Careers in Plant Science
  • Of keeping the place dirty & smelly
  • Enforcement key to garbage-free Imphal
  • One Single Dream: A Journey from Imphal
  • Dziiduri emerging as state's eco-tourism gem
  • Young talent powers Manipur's IT revolution
  • Shija Hospitals: 29 years of \keyhole surgery
  • Second National Lok Adalat - 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 80 :: Poem
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Interview with Rejoice Singh- Makeup Artist
  • Prodding the Govt to wake up to reality
  • Dr Ahanthem Santa: Head of two AIIMS
  • Caste census : representation or revival?
  • Land ownership in Manipur : Out mythological
  • RIMS in news for the wrong reasons
  • Former CJ Mridul's take on Manipur crisis
  • 76th Indian Republic Day #4 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Lamphelpat Project: Flood control & Tourism
  • Mrs Hume's Pheasant captured for 1st time
  • The hidden burden of dialysis in Manipur
  • You :: Poem
  • World Red Cross Day at Guwahati
  • Monitoring school vans
  • India destroys terror targets
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • The vanguards : IDP women & Meira Paibis
  • Imagining power, polity, & citizenship in India
  • Growing problem of pesticide residues in food
  • Panleukopenia: Leading cause of death in cat
  • Countdown to Shirui Lily Fest
  • Hesitancy in eastern frontier
  • Moirang Thoibi & women's empowerment
  • Mushroom Training @ Tarung : Gallery
  • Seminar: Earthquake Resistant Design
  • Manipur: Fire response with high-tech bikes
  • Hume's pheasant (Nongin) spotted in Shirui
  • On you go :: Poem
  • 2nd TDF Academy Series on Design Career
  • Front page news: Visit of Patra
  • Parleys for Govt formation bid to pacify public
  • Nongkhrang Ehanba @ Lilong : Gallery
  • True Measure of Success
  • 2nd anniv & echoes of wounded Kangleipak
  • Black Day - 3rd May observed at Shillong
  • Vanishing Lung Syndrome
  • Chicken neck on the plate
  • Abhigyanm's Play- "A Stupid Common Man"
  • Backbreaking roads in Imphal
  • Task cut out for PR regime, centre
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #1 : Gallery
  • May 3rd - "Resistance Day" at Bangalore
  • From Matam Esheis to Indie bands
  • AMFA, State trio shine at AIFF Awards 2025
  • Redlands :: Poem
  • Digital age is creation of e-libraries
  • Resignations from civil services
  • Looking back at the past 730 days
  • CSOs strike tough postures, IDPs suffer
  • Restore respect & dignity of the Kanglasa
  • Manipur unveils ropeway linking heritage
  • Reunion of 23rd souls at Ziro, AP
  • The Power of Poppy - 79 :: Poem
  • Indo-Pak ties at crossroad after Shimla Pact
  • Food to protect skin from UV Rays
  • Radio E-pao: New Channel - Khunung Eshei
  • Cross-Border Terrorism: The Invisible War
  • Moreh's Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
  • May 3 conflict: Aftermath & resilience
  • Reaffirms May 3 as "Manipur Peace Day"
  • CSR for Rural Transformation
  • Ongoing affairs since May 3, 2023
  • 2 years of conflict, no signs of resolution
  • Day 4: Yaoshang Sports #2 : Gallery
  • UN Decade on Indigenous Peacebuilding
  • Imphal's Ring Road Project - faster city
  • Appeal: Turn May 3 into 'Peace Day'
  • Health equity fundamental to #endMalaria
  • Wanted : Regional party with root in Manipur
  • Nagaland ranks high in college in NE
  • Khongjom Day - April 23 #2 : Gallery
  • Managing Expectations Means ...
  • Suspension of IWT by India: reality checks
  • Pilgrims barred from entering 'Kuki territory'
  • Mushroom Cultivation training at Tarung
  • Preserving fertility for future : Freezing eggs
  • Roadblocks to bid for new Govt formation
  • Delhi, Raj Bhavan in the thick of it
  • The Waterbirds of Loktak Lake
  • May Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Tamenglong - beacon of communal harmony
  • Moreh & the promise of a shared future
  • Delimitation & NRC issues in Manipur
  • World Veterinary Day 2025
  • Manipur: Runners-Up at 4th Nat'l Futsal, Goa
  • Farce of a ban on single use plastic
  • Cold storage launch plan in food crop
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @Kangla : Gallery
  • Sarungbam Athouba: Gold @Asian Triathlon
  • NID silence on Indigenous Design authorship
  • Negativity of over-positivity
  • The Deadliest Mind :: Poem
  • Buffalo breeding farm gathering dust
  • Needed: Consistent, correct narrative
  • Congress attacks, BJP unfazed
  • Bashanta Ras @Govindaji #1: Gallery
  • Pope Francis: A Man of our time
  • Who failed FNR? Or is it FNR which failed ?
  • Turning blinds eye to preventable epidemic
  • Civil servant Jerry the savior
  • Changing drug route to Mizoram
  • Outcries over false JJM claims
  • Statues of 7 Maichous @Kyamgei : Gallery
  • Yaoreishim showcases leather craftsmanship
  • Illicit poppy cultivation in Manipur
  • PWF: Election of New Office Bearers
  • Manipur boxers- 5 medals at Asian U-17
  • The Power of Poppy - 78 :: Poem
  • Meeteis are as Indian as any other citizen
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • A challenge to India Security Framework
  • Step Back to Slingshot Forward
  • Manipur's path to climate resilience
  • "Delhi Fashion week" is Now official
  • Harvest of Hope :: Poem
  • Travel beauty tips for summer holidays
  • Credible show of the students
  • Kashmir matters, not Manipur
  • 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
  • Khongjom Day - April 23 #1 : Gallery
  • Census 2001 & delimitation in Manipur
  • Pharmaceutical Waste: Threat to public health
  • Call for delimitation, NRC : Check illegal
  • Death knell for noble healthcare schemes
  • 175th Anniv- Maharaj Narasingh #2 : Gallery
  • World Earth Day : Gallery
  • Tamnalai : World Theater Day #1: Gallery
  • Cheiraoba by Manipuri in Korea : Gallery
  • Athoubashinggi Numit #2 : Gallery
  • 175th Anniv- Maharaj Narasingh #1 : Gallery
  • Pichakari @Govindajee Temple #2 : Gallery
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2 : Gallery
  • Cheirao-chingkaba @Chinga : Gallery
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • Mei Loukhatpa @Laipubam : Gallery
  • Supreme Court Judges visit : Gallery
  • Shortcomings - Delimitation in Manipur
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet