Churachandpur officially; Lamka to some; Home-Land to others, Churachandpur is a town inhabited mainly by the Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities who all are of the same origin and who all share a common ancestry. If peace and prosperity is to be found only in 'similarities' or 'shared culture or origin', CCPUR then would no doubt be the most progressive district of the State of Manipur.

But like teeth and tongue in a human's mouth, the ethnically close sister communities of this town often get into each other way; I guess similarities too breeds contempt apart from familiarity.

The second largest town in Manipur, and the largest district of the state district wise, was well on its path to progress and prosperity when Communalism so chronic and contagious ripped apart the social and ethnic moorings of the sister communities of this town and set them on a war path often locking horns and daggers drawn.

And in a communally surcharged town like Churachandpur; allegiance to one's own dialect based community is so strong that tension would often run high. And when the communal heat is on; reason goes begging.

In the good old days before the decade of decadence sets in i.e. before the birth of the bloody Gun Culture. Churachandpur was an ideal destination for those looking for a greener pasture, and many from the interior village of the district would shift lock stock and barrel and descend upon this town with their suitcase full of dreams; to seek their fortune hoping for a better life and looking for their 'pot of gold'.

During the Mizo National Front (MNF) movement launched by Laldenga and his Boys in Mizoram; many fled their homes in Mizoram in search of new frontiers; Ccpur provided the 'perfect Shangri-la' for those fleeing Mizoram in pursuit of a more secured life. Churachandpur was many years back an ideal destination.

But 'These Days' there is nothing in this town that is worth longing for. This God forsaken town has been swaying to the symphony of destruction for more than a decade now; and instead of moving forward it has been moving backward.

This little town and the district as whole though ridiculous it may sound to some is like an 'Internationally Disputed Area' with many Armed Groups demarcating their own 'Area of Control' and running their very own show. Here in the town and the district we have

1) Zogam
2) Homeland –Zalen Gam
3) Sinlung.

The Civilian Population have to carry on their existence sandwiched between many armed groups. Believe me, it is a hard life to live between conflicting forces armed with Guns.

Though I hate to admit, there is an overdose of Mao -Tse- Tung ideology i.e. “Power Grows out from the barrel of the Gun” in this town of Guns Drug and the Damages done. In Ccpur, people just don't exist; they live; they just don't live; they learn how to survive. Because you never know when 'Death' would come calling – knocking at your door.

People here have to thread the middle path cautiously on tip-toes for their lives are shrouded and cast over by shadow of the Guns of the Security Forces and ' Le Revolutionaries'.

The innocent civilian population here are a harassed lot; for time and experience have taught them the fatality and the futility of arguing with a loaded gun – for the Man who have his fingers firmly on the trigger always have the last laugh and the last word.

Personally I don't find this sort of ruthless existence appealing at all; I am sure my fellow Lamkaites would feel the same.

Why are the Civilian Populations in Churachandpur a harassed lot?

Those who are unaware about the situation prevailing in this town might ask. The answer to the above question is simple; they are a harassed lot because they are often made the scapegoat 'in this ongoing war which no one wins' between the many forces armed with the most sophisticated and fatal piece of machinery.

The peaceful equation in this town is always held a hostage by the many armed militia with contrasting and conflicting ideologies. Hatred often pulls the trigger; an unseen and impenetrable communal wall separates and segregates the people of this town.

Since it is a conflict area – 'Excess' is often committed upon the unarmed and innocent civilians by men with guns irrespective of their ideologies or allegiance.

There are many incidents where innocent people are often victimized; when circumstances (for no fault of theirs) forced them to be answerable to the long arms of the law. For instance there are many occasions when 'Men from the other side of the Law' would barged into a civilian home, and would sternly demand the keys to the civilian vehicle for ' a very important work'.

Refusal to comply with such a 'request'; one can never comprehend the consequences. The Civilians (the Vehicle Owners) are naturally in a dilemma, they have no choice but to reluctantly part with the keys to their beloved automobile with prayers on their lips and hope in their heart that He/She (the Civilian) would get back his/her vehicle in one piece.

They would part with the keys to their vehicle reluctantly only to be further warned by the 'Men from the other side' to keep completely mum about this whole affair and not to squeal even a word or else 'face the dire consequences'.

The 'Men' then would welcomed themselves into the poor civilian's vehicle and speed away to destination unknown; with the Civilian helplessly watching and mourning his/her plight and feeling utterly helpless.

RULE NO 1 FOR SURVIVAL IN CCPUR/LAMKA: NEVER ARGUE WITH A LOADED GUN.

But the story doesn't end here; the 'Men from the other side of the Law' would do all the important work using the innocent civilian's Vehicle as a shield and would abandon the vehicle in some isolated place. The Security Forces would sooner or later get the wind of things and that is when the vehicle owner's nightmare begins.

His/ Her Car becomes 'a marked vehicle' and the Civilian would be viewed with suspicion; accused of having a linkage with “Le Revolutionaries' and would be unnecessary harassed which could be mental or physical. The Whole 'unholy affair' is frustrating for the Civilian; for he is hounded by the Security Forces for no fault of his/ her.

What was the civilian suppose to do anyway? Well some may feel that the Civilian should not have parted with his/her vehicle or should have lodged an FIR at the nearest police station. That is quite logical; unless and until you face this grave dilemma yourself.

But there was no way the Civilian could have done that for he/ she was specifically warned by “Le Revolutionaries' not to squeal about it. Had the Civilian Squeal or Lodge an FIR – the next thing the eyes of his/her soul would see, would be flies buzzing over his/her dead corpse.

It is a catch 22 situation; we as civilians cannot please both the warring sides at the same time nor can we antagonize both, the Civilian cannot say 'NO' at the same time he cannot refuse. The Civilian is caught between 'The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea'; for 'Death' is never an adventure for those who stand face to face with it.

I think even the witty Birbal of the Mughal Period will not have a solution or an answer to this one. It is truly a hopelessly pathetic situation – A dead end with no way out for the Civilian. It would be better for the Civilian to hang himself/herself at the nearest tree and migrate to Myanmar!!

So in the name of humanity and in the name of the Gods we all bow down our heads to , I would like to appeal to both the Security Forces and 'Le Revolutionaries' not to make a scapegoat out of us - The poor & innocent Civilians.

The Revolutionaries should realize that by using an innocent civilian vehicle for purpose whatsoever; they are putting the 'freedom of the civilian' at great risk; we don't need to remind ourselves how awfully powerful the security forces are in the State like J&K and Manipur where the draconian law AFSPA is mercifully imposed for our own good and security.

I would like to appeal to all the Revolutionaries to refrain from using an innocent civilian vehicle for purpose whatsoever. Because once the Security Forces comes to know about it; then the Vehicle Owner is viewed with nothing but suspicion and as someone working hand in glove with 'the enemy of the state'.

And that my fellow human being is a very serious charge and a very serious suspicion; a very serious allegation which impedes on One's freedom and let me remind us all here that the greatest thing in life is being "Free".

And we all know how much this Country and her great sons and daughters went through to free themselves from the Imperial Strangled Yoke.

Read Part II | Part III