Ballot vs Bullet
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: January 10, 2012 -

On January 5, 2012 editions, most newspapers and news portals carried the report on 'likelihood' of NSCN (IM) fielding some proxy candidates in the coming elections to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly and the government of India closely monitoring the activities of the Naga rebel group.

The report has not come as a surprise to the people of Manipur.

What is surprising is the interest and concern of the Union Home Ministry over the issue only this time?

It is no secret to anyone on the 'agenda' of NSCN (IM) and how it played its role to the hilt in the last Assembly elections that saw the emergence of six Naga Independent MLAs out of 11 candidates fielded with 'blessing' from Camp Hebron.

What had become of the six Naga Independent MLAs, of course, is another story and history now.

Moreover, it seems only yesterday when political parties cutting across ideologies vehemently objected to Naga People's Front (NPF), a political party based in Nagaland, setting up its Manipur unit.

At that time too, the people as well as the political parties in Manipur have made known the 'agenda' of NPF to the centre.

To all these outcries, what the government of India had done was giving some knee-jerk reactions with oft repeated assurances on the territorial integrity of Manipur, just that and nothing more.

So, where is the element of surprise when the Centre is said to be closely monitoring the activities of NSCN (IM)?

The report has only confirmed the apprehension of the people of Manipur to which the government of India has remained shutting its eyes and ears for too long.

However, an interesting development that could be inferred from the report is the increasing strained relation between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India after over 14 years of peace parleys with no solution in sight.

Defiance of Central directive by NSCN (IM) 'general secretary' Thuingaleng Muivah in attending a meeting with Naga civil societies and political leaders in Dimapur to chalk out the strategy for fielding some proxy candidates in the Manipur polls is yet another pointer to the fact all is not well between the two strange bedfellows.

It is said that the Centre has long ago made it clear to NSCN (IM) that whenever Muivah and 'chairman' Isaac Chishi Swu travel within Nagaland; they have to intimate the Nagaland government which in turn would seek permission from the Home Ministry.

Only when the Ministry grants permission, rebel leaders can travel with Z-plus security provided by Nagaland government.

But to attend the meeting, Muivah moved out of the NSCN (IM) Camp Hebron without intimating anyone.

After long years of fighting against Indian rule, the dogged interest shown by the NSCN (IM) in Indian election is another interesting point that could not be missed.

Whether Mr Muivah may admit or not, we dare say, it definitely reflects a paradigm shift from NSCN (IM)'s earlier political posture of an independent homeland for the Nagas to total acceptance of Indian democracy.

Or is it a case of ballot better than bullet?