Another Lose-lose Game of the Nagas?

Hdanii Hiikhani *

For convenience purpose, the writer may please be allowed to introduce an abbreviated term viz. TRAM standing for The Tribal Rights Activists of Manipur, consisting of All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) the United Naga Council (UNC) the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) Peoples' Democratic Alliance (PDA), etc. bodies which serve the cause and shoulder to guard the rights of the tribal people of Manipur. The term is restricted to be used for the ensuing issue only.

Initially, the TRAM Vs the Government of Manipur (GoM) began with the issue more than genuine, whereby the Tribal People of Manipur demanded to re-amend the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council 3rd Amendment Act, 2008. In protest to the said Act, the UNC and the ANSAM launched the Economic Blockade from April-June for 68 days.

Undoubtedly, common citizens were convinced that in any case, at all cost, District Council Elections would not be allowed to be conducted. Several commitments along with actions were planned and acted upon particular by Peoples Democratic Party, a recently formed political party in Manipur.

For good or for bad, the ensuing entangle coincided with the proposed visit of Shri Th. Muivah, the General Secretary of the Naga Socialist Council of Nagalim to his birth-place, Somdal, wherein, the GoM in protest of the said proposed visit (which was reportedly permitted by the Home Ministry, Govt. of India) disguisedly created a warlike scenario by shooting down two innocent Naga students at Mao-Gate.

The aftermath violence distracted and thus led to another round of U-turn between the Nagas and the Govt. of Manipur+Govt. of India, this time the so-called the less-patriotic Nagas busily engaged themselves in preparing ground for the elections. Thus, the core issue of protest was successfully designated and rechristened to another issue by GoM perplexing one and all, outside and inside.

Whatsoever, when the situation was cooled down to a level, the new distraction was fictitiously brought into the notice of the public, the UNC+ANSAM+some miscreants on the shore of Ram and mainly the Congress on the opposite shore of Ravana, by burning down of the houses belonging to the president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, the tribal minister of Manipur, and so on, alarming in favor of some non-Nagas?

Today the issue has inflicted extensively to almost all citizens of the state either against or for. Wherein, the nuclear heads of the TRAM have been stationed targeting the elected Districts Councilors? The state government which was once the sole target of the TRAM has successfully scape-goated and is sitting as the back-bencher openly and secretly endorsing, reinforcing and regularly proclaiming that the Govt. will provide adequate security and maximum funds for the functioning of the elected councilors.

Ignorantly believing the casual political promises, those supporters of the elected councilors are expectedly waiting to fulfill their dreams of enjoying political benefits. For them preserving and safeguarding the Tribals' Rights and more importantly, the Naga Issue are not a cup of tea at this point of time.

On the other-hand, the elected representatives are excited more than ever to settle down to govern their respective district, while the UNC and the ANSAM, the two apex Nagas frontal organizations in Manipur are still deadly against it, reiterating publicly that they stand by their principles and would never allow any elected councilors to function in the land/lands belong to the Nagas.

While other non-Nagas seem gradually retreating from the core issue, it results to have acutely contaminated the Nagas socially, politically, communally, religiously, ideologically, educationally and economically.

What makes the worst? The said two bodies are unbearably burdened by the fact that, those many nominated candidates who were debarred from contesting in the elections are pressing the button of their 100% justification demanding justice be meted out to them to restitute their political, professional and economical loss against their political rivals who have been elected.

In addition to the above facts, if National Highway-39 if really diverted from being the lifeline of Manipur, if the Godowns of Manipur state in Dimapur is really shifted to Silchar, as demanded by AAMSU, NESO, etc. would in any way good for good?

What difference does it make to many? Who should be responsible?

Thus, the complications are reincarnating several new, but subjective outcomes by segregating people amongst people, groups amongst groups. The consequences therefore still lie unsolved due to the rise of some of the apprehensive and consequential questions as suggested herein.

1. What should a layman aspire, for better or for worse? Will it be another time of chasing after wind?
2. The elected councilors are pronouncing regularly, that after properly establishing their governances, they would demand and fight for re-amendment, will it be really materialized? Would it be another example, a live dog is better than a dead lion?
3. Justice in what form will be meted out to those candidates who sacrificed their opportunities in the form of money, time, energy, profession?
4. Will the credibility of the tribal Organisations/tribal leaders remain unchanged or put under cross-questions?
5. What is the future and the hope of the loyalists of the PDA party?
6. Should the prayers of the faithful, the aspirations of common men, and the dreams of thousands left shattered?
7. Will those emotions, strong words, convincing plan of actions, capital threats die along with time and emotions?
8. Will the Naga Parliamentarians Forum and Naga Leaders Forum energize or enervate the strength of the NAGA community?
9. Will the TRAM or the UNC+ANSAM continue with their demands or otherwise come to compromise?