Conflict resolution in respect of Manipur
- Part 4 -

Dr AK Chishti *

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

In this context, the memoranda submitted to the President and the Prime Minister of India separately in the end of the year 2006 by this Association may be conveniently recalled here. In that we have made early resolution of conflicts a serious point for consideration. We often feel that if the Centre takes the initiative in the right earnestness there will surely be a matching response from all quarters.

To create the ideal situation wished, easing the tension created in the mind of people by the inordinate delay in lifting the AFSPA from the state is a much. It is also the desire openly expressed by our Hon'ble Prime Minister in favour of substituting some of the unwanted or detrimental clauses from the said Act. It is for sure that this 1st step will help in restoring the people's faith in the Centre. If the Centre acts according to the wishes of the people, the armed insurgents will also reciprocate in the fitness of things.

An ideal situation is bound to develop that parties concerned will be ready for discussions and parleys; terms for peace will be found out in due course. We always feel that people's involvement in such a people's affairs as demanded in a democratic set up of government and functioning is the corner stone of success. To end the anti-incumbency feeling, measure like keeping the streets, Highways – State & National free from obstructions and blockades should be taken up as a step forward to instil the required amount of confidence in the citizens and to ensure their right to move freely; for free movement is more important than the freedom of speech to the people who are not free to move.

Highway scene has been in the people's full glare to judge the guts of the government; 52 days' closure/blockade of the National Highway 39 by some organisation in 2005 did not face any challenge from the custodian of Law and Order in the State though the Government knows that the NH 39 is the life line of the State. How much the people suffered was nobody's concern: people had already lost faith in the Govt. in power. What can be expected of those who can't command respect from their people, leave alone their defending the territory?

Conflict between the people of Manipur and the Centre is now more clearly visible in the form of Armed insurgency in the State while the small border State has been involving itself in the nation building process ever since it was brought into the fold of Indian Union in 1949. The Merger Agreement, a turning point in the history of Manipur turns out to be the seed of conflict that prompted the younger generation to look back in anger spewing venom on the Centre or Union Government and the erstwhile State Authority ruling in its fiefdom on its subject of the placid days of the feudal era. It is not a mere conflict pertaining to the economic aid and development of the State or the unemployment problem as projected by some observers.

State politicians alone used to manipulate the situation in a way that would serve their interest better. Today this old tricks of trade is no more a secret with the Chief Minister of the State admitting in his public speeches or interviews that it is not the dearth of Grants or Funds required for the development of Manipur that the State remains undeveloped for so long a period but it is all because of the continuous obstructions and the demands for percentage from various organisations.

As we find that the conflict is related to both the Centre and the neighbouring Nagaland, with the former it can be regarded as the Vertical Conflict arising out of the Merger Agreement in 1949 and mismanagement of the State after and with the later as Horizontal Conflict arising out of the peculiar demand for the partitions of our State Patta Land. Resolutions to the two conflicts are, therefore to be found out by holding separate discussions with the parties concerned.

In the Vertical Conflict – three parties are involved viz. – The Centre, the armed insurgents and the elders with no political affiliations but capable of giving academic views on behalf of the people.

As suggested, measures like effective regulations of the movement of public freely without any hindrance or obstructions from the organisations along all the NH 39 and NH 53 and State Highways, be taken up as the first step towards the creation of the proper climate and demonstrating the Centre's will to do something for bringing about peace and more understanding, following the repeal of AFSPA from the State. This is a must from all considerations, we feel.

We wish that the initiative for talks be taken by our Centre. By far the most effective step for the regulation of the two national highways, the NH 39 and NH 53 will be as we suggested in our memoranda to the President and the Prime Minister of India for the opening of an out post at Imphal which will serve as watchdog under the Union Home Ministry.

As to the Horizontal Conflict we wish to urge the Centre for speedy amendment of the Articles 3 of the Constitution in particular for the permanent safeguard of the small sized territories like Manipur, Tripura, Gao etc. In order to bring about the congenial atmosphere for better understanding and co-operation of all parties concerned be given the opportunities to sit together under the supervision of Centre. It cannot be that much problem which can't be solved through discussion.

SOME SUGGESTIONS IN RESPECT OF OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS

A. Mini Assembly for Each Constituency

In the matter of administrative reform we have a feeling that narrowing the gap between government and people could be possible if a mechanism be invented that would ensure people's participation in government and politics. Ventilation of public grievances and open discussions in the matter pertaining to public interest that would account for vibrant working of democracy will find congenial atmosphere, should mini Assemblies be introduced in all the constituencies located at places convenient for all.

Matters of importance seldom get off the ground of the Assembly owing to the lack of the degree of awareness of the general public/mass confining at the capital of the state by the MLAs/MPs away from the constituencies busying themselves elsewhere that often made them oblivious of the representative character – a prerequisite of popular Government, will simply arrest the functioning and progress of democracy.

B. Monitoring cell

Another matter that deserves the attention of the Centre is the mode of administration, and working style of the bureaucrats whose dissemination of their trained intelligence and skill is nothing short of oriental potentate who often treat their office/position as the source of gain requiring to be exploited well in acquiescence with the popular ministry.

All these factors are attributed to Manipur's acquiring the sobriquet of most corrupt state in the East and of the Union as well. This could be mitigated if Centre's monitoring cell be created/opened in the state which could effectively raise the stature of public servants instead of painting or viewing them as necessary evil.

C. Let the administrative exercise on momentous issues be anchored to judicial wisdom

Another matter which is of no lesser importance is that of the Executive Judiciary relation that raises eyebrows in matter of administration. Handling of administrative affairs by bureaucrats often calls for judicial intervention whenever challenged by the aggrieved/inflicted one in the law court.

Exercising influence and corrupting path of justice by the persons having easy accessibility to the corridor of power well accounted for loss of confidence in the government. The administrative acumen of the officials finds little scope at the face of mounting pressures for fulfilling the desired end.

Will it be a wishful thinking at the face of reality if we ever put forward our simple perception that Law Department makes prior consultation with the judiciary well ahead of the issuance of Order of the Government on the matter involving far reaching consequence as has also been the practice of the Central Government to have consultation with the judiciary whenever a momentous issue involving National importance come up.

Very often judicial intervention, after long period of legal wrangling the judiciary imposes dictate on the State Government which often tries to acquire legitimacy of its wrongful and illegal steps. It is the universal truth and accepted norm that the Will of the judiciary always prevails upon that of the executive. Will it not be a wise step to prepare for the fruitful result that would ensure speedy progress in administration?

Concluded...