Conflict resolution in respect of Manipur
- Part 1 -

Dr AK Chishti *

While acknowledging the Second Administrative Reforms Commission for reposing confidence in the Association of Premier State College Seniors of Manipur (APSCS) and giving the privilege of making an effective representation of the people's interests about the State of affairs and the "Conflict Resolution" thereon by extending the time when the Commission heard us at Imphal on the 28th July 2007, we wish to begin with a few words about our own Association, perhaps the first of its kind in the country.

It is a body of the retired State Government employees who served the Premier State Colleges of Manipur academics which were recruited on the recommendations of the UPSC and later the Manipur Public Service Commission. The Association was founded in the year 2005 with the main object to preserve old values and spirit of fraternity among the members and to further promote the Academic and Social causes by formulating and presenting views to the State or Central/Statutory Bodies etc.

In consonance with our objective, the Association made it a point to submit a Memorandum to the President of India during his visit to the State on the 16th Oct. 2006 highlighting the issues involving social and economic life of the people of Manipur that have been on the wane. As a result, the Ministry of Home Affairs expressing its concern sent its letter (No. 6/35/2007-NE.I dated 11th June 2007) to the Chief Secretary of the State for appropriate necessary action and the submission of a report thereon. The Association is really grateful to the President for his concern for the plight of the people of this frontier state. A similar response also came from the Prime Minister; for that we are grateful to the Prime Minister too.

As is the common psychology, we have a deep sense of consternation over the issues involving discomfort, fears and negative associations that we generally do not address the issues in time. However, in reality, the issues weigh heavily on our psyche and public life as well, and it becomes too high a price to pay later. Hence, the demand for an effective and timely addressal. These two vital elements as we presume are accounted for extending their adequate attention to the vexing issues the Association placed before them. Let it serve as a good beginning in the search for an answer to the problem.

And now with the Second Administrative Reforms Commission in conformity with the terms and spirit of the objective, we feel as though a new dimension is in the offing that would ultimately help in addressing the difficult issues in the best interest of all concerned. We have every reason to repose our faith in the Commission as much as it has in us.

As our representatives of the Association appraised the Commission already of some of the major problems afflicting the State, we now with a vigour, wish to submit this representation to highlight some of the major issues involving the present conflict that requires adept handling with a priority treatment. We begin with the diagnosis of the conflicts.

Symptoms of the conflicts

The present scenario – portrays a chaotic situation – a murderous atmosphere shaking the norms of society we live in at the root in an unprecedented manner with no sight of relent. All the symptoms of an anarchic State, a long spell of disorder, conflicts: visible and invisible have all appeared for all to see. Where is the room for development for that the Centre is pumping huge amount of money unlike in the past when the State was normal and needed money most? Development of anti-incumbency sentiment for bringing about this situation and all can be comprehended in full only by an in-depth study of Manipur and her case is made at first.

Land and peoples of Manipur

Nested between Assam and Burma (Myanmar), Manipur as a kingdom experienced a long tumultuous course of about two thousand years of history. The central valley which is about 1/10th the State size, is the hub of activities while the remaining comprises the mountainous region surrounding the valley and since time immemorial the mountainous range has been the home of medley of tribes.

The history of human habitation of Manipur is a continuous one since the Pre-historic Stone Age. For the last two thousand years Manipur existed as an independent kingdom with an uninterrupted record of reign of kings, Maharajah Budhachandra Singh being the last. The territory of Manipur extended as far as the Southern China in then north; Thibomei (Kohima) and Sibsagar (Assam) included, Loijri in the South and Chandrapore (Cachar) in the West and Ningthi River (Irrawadi) in the East.

Manipuri is the language spoken by the valley and hill people in general and is the lingua franca of more than 30 tribes of Manipur speaking different dialects. The Manipuri language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman group of language. To-day Manipuri stands for different communities living in Manipur namely the Meetei/Meitei community, the Pangal (Muslim) community, the Naga tribe and the Kuki tribe etc.

The kingdom was known by different names to different people surrounding the State. The Burmese called it Kathe, the Assamese – Meckley, the Cacharis – Mogli and the Shans – Cassay.

The present geographical area of Manipur is 8,650 sq. miles. It was demarcated by Sir James Johnstone, the Political Agent of Manipur in 1882. Before this, the boundary of Manipur was demarcated in 1834 as reflected in the Agreement regarding the Kubo Valley. In that the Kubo Valley of 7,000 sq. miles was made over to the Burmese Government on the condition that the Supreme Government pays a monthly stipend of five hundred Sicca Rupees to the Rajah of Manipur vide the Agreement mutually signed by the British and Burmese Commissioners on January 25, 1834. In case of reversion of the Kubo Valley to Manipur, as per the Agreement, the allowance thus granted will cease from the date of such reversion.

In research, works done earlier is taken as very important to understand what is under studies now. To know Manipur, its evolutionary aspect of the history is relevant to the issues under discussion, i.e. "the Conflict Resolution in Respect of Manipur". For the purpose, the entire history of Manipur can be conveniently divided into the PRE-MERGER PERIOD and the POST-MERGER PERIOD, on the basis of Manipur's status as – an independent Manipur before the Merger with the Indian Union in 1949 and the post independent Manipur after the Merger.

Pre-Merger Period

Historians and Scholars are one in describing the land of Manipur as a unique Kingdom. This Kingdom in the East, with about two thousand years' glorious history behind it had already found a berth in the comity of nations. The people of Manipur defended their territory and the Kingdom-hood from repeated invasion by aggressive neighbours, Burma. They fought against the mighty British Imperial Force in 1891. The Anglo-Manipuri War or the Khongjom War of 1891 is remembered every year in memory of those who laid down their lives in safeguarding their homeland in a manner beyond description. Manipuris also joined the Indian War of Independence in 1857.

As defined earlier the Manipuris comprise the Meeteis, the Pangals (Muslims), the hill tribes etc. and they were always united and fought shoulder to shoulder in keeping their motherland intact. The old adage holds true in case of the kingdom. Enemy within, was more dangerous than the enemy outside. Infightings among the royal bloods for the throne and power marked the history of Manipur here and there. Entry of the Britishers in Manipur and taking share in running the affairs of Manipur in the beginning was not through invasion or war. The episodes of infighting and the seeking of outside military help paved their way. Nevertheless, the kingdom though small could never be subjugated by any force or power.

The kingdom got rid of the British colonial yoke in 1947 by a sheer luck after it became inevitable for them to withdraw from India, Burma etc. with the end of IInd World War in 1945. People of Manipur rejoiced this return to complete Independence, the State sovereignty in full. To some a frisson of fear descended, however. Before this of course there was every – ground of fear for an endless war – the Second World War or Japan War as is popularly known to the Manipuris.

We all know that Manipur was the centre stage of the War; repeated and heavy bombings of the State by the Japanese forces to drive out the British forces and other allied armies brought havoc and devastation. Manipuris suffered most during IInd World War; no other Indian States suffered so much as Manipur suffered. The Indian National Army (INA) hoisted its flag in the soil of Manipur before the Japanese force was repulsed from Manipur and Kohima and the two Japanese cities – Hiroshima and Nagasaki were atom bombed and destroyed.

The IInd World War came to an end in 1945. The two War Cemeteries at Imphal and one at Kohima bear the witness of the war atrocities. The INA Museum at Moirang is another war memorial in Manipur. For the people of Manipur, the end of IInd World War in 1945 and the termination of 56 years' British Occupation of Manipur in 1947 could have been the best opportune moment to emerge as a new nation with sufficient experience of exposure had it not been otherwise the case of merger with the newly born nation – the Union of India in the year 1949.

In that two interested forces worked in the collusion to effect the integration; from outside the Indian National Congress and from within the Manipur Congress Party founded in 1946. At the same time the Maharajah of Manipur Shri Budhachandra Singh also failed to assert his full authority even as the Political Agent, Mr. G.P. Steward in a charge handing over meeting in the midnight of 14th and 15th Aug. 1947 at the Residency, Imphal declared already as "Your Highness, the British Paramouncy over Manipur State lapse from this moment.

To be continued...