Counter-blockade: An internecine or commensal exercise?

Dr Benjamin Gangmei *

In this short write-up how Counter-blockade is considered a lesson for all concerned is broached. In multi-ethnic societies like Manipur, what a group considered expedient is often turned out to be" detrimental to others. It is more so in an emerging volatile atmosphere. So, while one may be considered wise by manipulating a situation to his advantage, sometimes he may be wiser by not doing it. What all we do which are immediately proved effective do not always make us future-wise.

Present brouhaha was originated from Economic Blockade imposed by the ANSAM. Without mincing words one may say that economic blockade on NH-ways is violative of human rights. It is counter- productive as well. All right thinking men and women do not approve such tactic used as pressure on the State or Central Governments to fulfill demand(s).

And economic blockade, with the violation and losses, usually affects all sections of people irrespective of valley and hill people. So, even if one group resorts to economic blockade it does not affect particular ethnic group(s). And there lies the difference between Economic Blockade and Counter-Blockade. For the Counter-Blockade does affect particular ethnic group. It is more communal. The Blockade starts cutting a strong golden cord of communal harmony or co-existence. Counter-Blockade gives an illustrious lesson for all.

The lesson of Counter-Blockade has to do with the concerns of future. Someone has rightly said that "Necessity is the mother of invention", The saying is also true of social invention. No hill or valley districts are safe with the present like-economic blockade and counter-blockade which cut off the life-lines of the State and of the hill districts.

And such impasse will compel each district to search for its own life-lines. With that attainment no group(s) or blockade party may not be in position to bother each section of people as economic blockade or counter-blockade does today. In the other words, ethnic assertion/politics with National Highways will be in less effect.

While penning these lines accidentally the local dailies (The Sangai Express and Hueiyen Lanpao) 17th May 2010) reported the instance of seeking supply lines of districts. So} while it is not my platitude, counter-blockade helps the idea put into practice. And with such separate life-line the efficacy of interdependence will be ineluctably redefined in our context. Therefore, present historical process has bearing on our future.

The present stand-off arising out of economic blockade or counter-blockade is a pressing reminder to UGs operating in the State. How do they involve in State development works is rife and trite. They are greatly responsible for poor quality and disruption of development works including the construction of life-lines of the State and districts.

They could have been, in addition to Govt. authorized agents, constructive and effective agents to promote development infrastructures in different parts of the State. But many infrastructural programmes and their implementation are deterred or failed on account of UGs' involvement in peculation or trite "percentage collection" or contention for contract work, etc. In many public circles, on account of ceaseless extortion, people start asking whether the UGs are revolutionaries or revolutionaries of wealth.

The writer was told that in one of the hill districts two programmes of prospective supply lines could not see the light of the day. The failure is primarily attributed to UG factor. Therefore, the present impasse facing all sections of people is lesson to the UGs. It is truism that no human mission cannot progress without dependable communications --land and tele, in modern society. Any harm external to us may be preventable but harm that comes of our own action is real harm to us.

The problem of economic blockade on National-Highways is a long drawn issue. And the current crisis is another lesson for the State Govt. compelling it for resolving the issue diurnally. The two questions the State can ask are: Can there be any new life-lines which can deter the problems of economic blockade?

Can Highways Protection Force be a panacea to the problems? Perhaps the 'ANSWER' is big 'NO'. The physiographical nature of North-Eastern region does not favour either option. So, the compelling option is to promote the conditions of the existing life-lines along with making an inter-State agreement on transport concerns and the tactful handling of problems with responsiveness of the State Govt.

For example, if both the parties had timely sat together, present crisis and dilution of the problem could have been safely adverted. So, if physical means are not always safe, perhaps the best bastion for our security is the protection and promotion of commensal life through the act of reasonable and realistic complaisance of State authority and healthy Inter-State comity by making some binding.

It seems that present non-plus facing any section of people is partly the result of dilution of the issue. That is Counter-Blockade that goes in communal line is the dilution of economic blockade issue with the proposed visit of Th. Muivah to Somdal, Ukhrul. For the State Govt., citing a reason has avowedly stated that his coming to Manipur would create great impetus to ANSAM's opposition to District Council election.

It is because the blockade is seen as a transcalent picture. Yet logically viewed, economic blockade, though it appears to be consectaneous, has nothing to do with Muivah's visit. Chronologically it preceded his visit programme and its purpose is sheer rejection of the District Council elections, 2010 and for amendment of District Council Act, 2008. So, while we don't approve economic blockade, we lamentingly disapprove counter-blockade for being imposed it in communal line.

Counter- blockade has collateral damage. It directly or indirectly draws line between the presence of two ethnic groups and thus it indirectly lends itself to the claim of ethnic boundary advocated by the party in question. And it also has made the concerned hill tribes feel that they are not treated as the people of Manipur by not sharing essential commodities. It would have been more reasonable if counter blockade was imposed in collective interest.

That is, if restrictions only on the free flow of large volume of essential commodities to hill districts is controlled, it would not be construed as communal expression. And what is most ironic is that it was allegedly imposed at the behest of some frontal organizations which preach communal harmony and think and work for the future of Manipur.

While many responsible men and women were making the best of a bad bargain, there were people who created zero-sum by indulging in communal activities in the name of counter-blockade and opposition to Muivah's visit. Thank Christ Jesus who loves every human being for taking care of us in every provocative situation. The stretch between Khumbong and Keithelmanbi on the NH-53 is one of the places which bore the brunt of counter-blockade.

Even the Kabuis of Maha Kabui village who are the fellowmen of Khumbong and Moidangpok leikais were forced to walk between the stretch; held back those daily necessaries brought in bazaar bags from Imphal; prohibited their auto rickshaws to ply, etc. Kabui customers were denied to purchase daily necessaries at Ningthoukhong and posters printing with communal statements were also displayed at Bishnupur. And the members of the same community were also beaten at Gularthol, Jiribam.

But patience and understanding have defeated sinister design so far. It is also reported that some Khoibus were ill-treated in Chandel district and many others received a raw deal at the hands of counter-blockade supporters at Ukhrul and Chandel roads. Such and other minor incidents are capable of being ignited communal flame and defeated the purpose of the offending party.

It may be good to be present-wise but it is better to be future-wise. Shape of one's future possible ties with other shall be determined by the situation of ethnic presence, history, location where run streams of life, etc. If one is too present-wise, he may destroy his future.

We are all part of the present historical process and are responsible for steering its course. Let us not commit bad history lest the generations to come will not forgive us.