A time bomb called the Article 3

By Dr AK Chishti *

The APSCS hails the Historic Resolution of the Manipur Assembly adopted on the 8th of July 2010 seeking amendment of the Art 3 of the Indian Constitution that could play havoc in the Centre-State relation enabling the Federal Authority to make or unmake a state without territorial size limit by an act of taking the view of a simple majority in the Indian Parliament.

When the Resolution is in the right spirit and direction, the seniors of the Premier State Colleges however, feel that the proposal for amendment to single out Manipur from the purview of the Art 3 sounds to be the voice of self aggrandising and self-seeking community.

Instead, it would be more pertinent for the Parliament to insert a Clause in the Art 3 in question prescribing the size limit at the minimum of a state that can be considered as standard from all considerations. Such an amendment alone, if effected can perhaps work for the full protection and preservation of small sized states under the Union of India permanently.

Small sized states are obviously Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Goa etc. Long history behind, the type of people and smallness of the population; their age-old culture and tradition, and economic viability combined together was a drag that Manipur was not considered qualified to be a state for 23 years after her merger with the Union.

Today by fragmenting the tiny sized state into parts that make the whole, that too, on the demand of some head strong persons of the hills with ill-conceived notion in collusion with some exterior forces with little regard to the common history behind the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur that underwent a long suffering to survive—can this land now exist as a state with pride and honour is a big question mark. In the name of reorganisation of states under this Art. 3 small states should not be disorganised.

Manipuri people in general can't accept any sort of suggestion from any quarter to the idea of fission of the state or fusion of its parts with other states under any circumstances. Let it be clear to all concerned.

Repeated assurances we got from the Centre that in the event of any threat to the territorial integrity of Manipur, the Centre will protect our territory and whenever the issue is raised the consent of the state will be taken implying that without consultation and concurrence, the demand for fission and fusion will not be considered.

Yes, it is fine; it is the statesmanship of the leaders who came out with such a statement. Our humble view however is that there is a gulf of difference between a statement and an Act under the Constitution which is firm and inviolable. It is therefore, the proposal for amendment is in the right spirit and direction to settle the core issue before it is too late.

The State should have learnt that other issues did not take precedence over the protection and preservation of her territory left behind by their forefathers in the hill and the valley intact.

It was the endeavour of the present members of the APSCS since they got retired themselves from their services in the Premier State Colleges to see that an effective amendment of the Article 3 was made. Memorandum submitted to the President of India subsequent to the occurrence of the unfortunate event of the 18th June 2001 is the living testimony as the forerunner of today's development.

The Association took up the matter again in 2007 when the President and then the Prime Minister of India visited the State and further with the Second Administrative Commission of India in 2007. All the above representations were already made public; the last one in series from 26th May 2010 to the 5th June '10 under the caption " Conflict Resolution in respect of Manipur …".

We are happy and feel encouraged that our genuine endeavor gains momentum though slow the pace is and the State Assembly adopted the historic decision. We are to wait and see now as to how and when our Centre responds to this move.

In all representations submitted we made it also a point for a timely regulation of the most troubled National Highways viz the NH-39 and the NH-53 by the Centre directly in order that the economic blockade a nuisance created every now and then by the hill and the valley based Organisations affecting the lives of the common people, comes to an end.

The request also included for the stationing of an office under the Home Ministry that will act as the watch-dog. Recent action of sending forces to control the high way situation though taken belatedly is welcomed.