Call to save the integrity of Manipur

LB Singh *

The demand for ‘Separate Administration’ by the Kuki is a severe threat to the integrity of Manipur as the aim of some Kuki militant groups is to establish an independent sovereign country, ‘Zogam or Zalengam or Kukiland’ by uniting the Kuki-Chin tribes in India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. We have learned that the policy of appeasement did not solve the problem of the people who lived under the shadow of guns of militant outfits aspiring for a sovereign country.

The Government of India (GoI) fulfilled the first Naga People’s Convention (NPC) demand, and an ‘Administrative Unit’ known as the ‘Naga Hill Tuensang Area’ came into existence on 01 December 1957 in the Naga Hill District of Assam.

However, it was used as a first stepping stone for more ambitious demands, and the people were not satisfied even with granting a full-fledged Statehood to Nagaland with a special provision in the Constitution in 1963. The GoI is still trying to solve the problem and hopes that the above point is kept in mind while solving the crisis in Manipur.

The Meitei community was shocked when they learnt that many of their kin were killed, their houses and properties were burned down, and driven out from the hill districts by the Kuki militants in Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi on the evening of 03 May 23. Many youths lost their sense of judgment and became mad with anger. Anger is one’s worst enemy.

They fell into the trap of provocation by the Kuki, took out their anger on the innocent Kuki settlement in the valley, and burned or destroyed the properties within their reach. Many Kukis, with prior information about the preplanned attack, had already left the valley.

The remaining innocent Kukis took shelter in the Army or CRPF camps and were transported to Kuki-dominated areas. The Kuki militants achieved their long-cherished dream of physically dividing the two ethnic groups, and the people who value Manipur's integrity more than anything have inadvertently helped them.

It would not be difficult for the Judicial Inquiry Commission constituted by the GoI and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the CBI to find out the conspirators of the present unpreceded crisis.

Hopefully, the commission would also bring out the truth about the involvement of Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO), militants from neighbouring countries, druglords, narco-terrorists, Meitei militants, Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun etc.

However, even if a few Meitei militants are involved in the clash, the fighting can continue for many years, and it would be detrimental to the integrity of Manipur. It would also complicate the task of the Army and divert their attention from the Kuki militants.

As the fighting continues, the number of casualties, the scale of the humanitarian crisis, and the suffering and misery of the people from both sides will increase. It would deepen the wound and aggravate the hatred between the people of the two ethnic groups, and the reconciliation process would become arduous. However, Kuki militants would make an all-out effort to prolong the present crisis to fulfil their aim of ‘Separate Administration.’

The Meiteis and Kukis request the Central Government to bring peace to the State. However, the same people are indulging in the hostile activities of firing, arson, blockade of the National Highway, roads and blocking of the movement of Army personnel. Since the Kuki militants aimed to prolong the crisis, the Kuki rejected the Peace Committee formed by the GoI and continued with hostile activities.

However, the Meitei are determined to preserve the integrity of Manipur at any cost. Therefore, Meitei must exercise restraint while defending themselves and take unilateral action to restore peace. Meitei should facilitate the smooth movement of essential items by road in the valley to the Kuki-dominated areas. Blocking of Army vehicles by the Meitei women is an unfriendly act. Have faith in the Army; it is a matter of time before they will crush the Kuki-Chin militants and narco-terrorists.

Most Meitei wants the innocent Kukis to return to their homes in the valley, join their offices, and their children resume their studies. However, it would be challenging as the Kuki militants will prevent them from returning to the valley. The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), in a press statement on 27 June 23, said, “Going back to Imphal is a death trap for the Kuki people.”

Further, many displaced Kukis were traumatized and worried about their safety in the valley. The Meitei MLAs, CSOs, Youth Clubs, Women’s Organisations and Meira Paibis should initiate measures for the safe return of the Kukis displaced from the valley, and the Local Peace Committee should provide necessary assistance.

On the other hand, it would be the duty of the State Government to make arrangements for the safe return of the displaced Meiteis who have land documents and had settled in the Hill Districts before the enactment of the MLR&R Act 1960.

I believe the displaced Kukis would be confident of returning to the valley only when every Meitei, including the Meitei militants, guarantee their safety. It is most unlikely that the innocent Kuki would return to the valley without the assurance about their safety by the Meiteis. Therefore, it would be very difficult to save Manipur's integrity without the Meiteis help.

It is a crucial time for the Meitei militant organizations to analyze the present crisis and reconsider their original objectives, as there is a grave danger to the integrity of Manipur. Manipur is heading to a precarious future of being left with a small valley area without the hill districts.

It may be prudent for the Meitei militant organizations to have a relook at the original objectives to save the integrity of Manipur. They may consider signing a ‘Ceasefire Agreement’ with the GoI, somewhat like the agreement signed with NSCN (IM), with preconditions which may include the following:

o No ‘Separate Administrative Unit’ or ‘Territorial Council’ in Manipur till the amendment of Article 371C of the Indian Constitution giving land right to the indigenous Meitei to settle in the Hill Districts without affecting the existing tribal villages, their way of life and long-term livelihood.

o Established Special Economic Zone (SEZ) along the National Highways and International Border in the State for all the indigenous people of Manipur.

All Meiteis should unite and work together to save the integrity of Manipur.


The views expressed here are solely that of the writer