Do Nagas Need Separation From Manipur ?

ZK Pahrü Pou *

Students rally in Ukhrul demanding "Alternative Arrangement" on 25 Nov 2011 - Pix :: Jimmy Leivon

1. The political map of India, at independence or post independence, was far from complete. A lot of territorial adjustment and re-adjustment has to be done to right-size the State keeping in mind the country's manifold diversity, and multiple identities. Aware of this necessity the constitutional provision for the creation of new/modification of States in India are kept flexible.

The Indian federation is an indestructible union of destructible States. The Indian Constitution (Articles 3-4) empowers the Union Parliament (Lok Sabha) popularly elected Lower House, and Rajya Sabha, the Council of States) to reorganise the States for territorial adjustment.

The said Articles provided that Parliament may by law:
(1) form a new state by separation of territory from any state, or by uniting two or more states, or parts of states, or by uniting any territory to a part of any state;
(2) increase the area of any state;
(3) diminish the area of any state;
(4) alter the boundaries of any state; and
(5) alter the name of any state etc.

Therefore, demand by any ethnic group (Naga or Kuki or Meitei) wishing to live under a single administrative unit under Indian Union is in accordance with constitutional provision. There is no such a thing as 'sacrosanct' territorial boundary. It's all human made. It can be modified/changed according to convenience.

2. The state of Manipur, which covers an area of 8,628 sq miles (22,327 sq km), is purely a modern creation. In this set up, about 700 sq miles (2,238 sq km) which constitute the valley can be rightly said to be the homeland of the Meiteis since time immemorial. The erstwhile Meitei kingdom could be much bigger as it stretches sometime to Kabaw Valley and also towards Silchar. The rest (about 90 % of geographical area) are inhabited by the hill tribes, which if 'Naga integration' or 'alternative arrangement' takes place would have enormous effect on it.

This is the fear of a dominant community (Meiteis) which is restricted to around 10% of the total land area of the State—not because the hill people did push them to this state of confinement but because this is the way it always was. However, the fear and insecurity displayed by Meitei political leaders and are largely shared by the people (especially by Meitei elites) in the valley today is of recent development and hence historically untenable.

It will be difficult to prove historically that the administration of the hill and the valley were under single 'uniformed' administration at any point of time. The valley was under the rule of Meitei rajahs and the hill villages were under the control of its chief/headman.

When the British conquered Manipur, dual administration system—one for the valley and the other for the hills were maintained. Even after Manipur attained full Statehood (1972) and till today, there is no uniform land holding system for the whole Manipur for which reason Meiteis cannot buy any plot of land in the hill areas. The Nagas, the kukis and the Meiteis have unique history and distinct culture. Attempt to suppress this unique identity by any community would invite tension.

3. If the Nagas achieve their aspiration and were separated from Manipur, the Meiteis will live peacefully with no disturbance from the Nagas who are creating lots of problem. The Meiteis won't need to worry about economic blockade or for the welfare of Nagas (eg job reservations). Manipur will remain as State with all Centrally allotted budgets coming to Imphal for development.

Then why do the Meiteis oppose the Nagas to go away? To keep the Nagas in Manipur looks like the ploy of Meitei elites and not that of common people. The elites/ruling class has cleverly brought in Naga issue to the public front to hide their unjust deeds from common people. They are using all the Government funds meant for the common people (Meitei masses). They have bought houses in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Imphal town is under their control. Their children are studying in foreign countries and in metropolitans. They possess all modern luxurious goods. The periphery of Imphal town is much like the same condition of hill areas with no good road, regular electricity and other basic amenities including water supply. The Naga issue has, in fact, nothing to do with the welfare and development of Meitei community. As long as Naga problem remains unsettled, the common people of Meitei will also suffer under the 'invisible hand' of their own ruling elite class.

4. Now, it is very tangible that if Nagas were separated, a small number of Meitei elites who are enjoying the share of the tribal people will feel the pinch (including our present chief minister who holds the portfolio of tribal affair). The Meitei elites fear that the levers of power will slip away from their hands once the tribals are empowered or are separated from Manipur. Hence, any solution or concession made to the tribal people in Manipur poses a threat to them.

In short, the Meitei elites are afraid of losing their socio-economic and political power on account of the growing consciousness and demand for greater autonomy by tribal people. Hence, they cleverly devise plan to mobilise the Meitei masses in the name of protecting 'territorial integrity', which has nothing to do with the commoners. The Meitei elites do not have any concern not only for the welfare of the Nagas but also of common Meiteis who are struggling for survival or for that matter life security.

If the Meitei elites have concern for commoners, they would have started Statewide protest against the displacement of fishermen in Loktak Lake, or against any development that harms the common people especially farmers. If Meitei elites have concern for the life of common people, they would have not allowed imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the State.

If the extension of Naga ceasefire to Manipur can be prevented through mobilisation of the masses in a few days, why didn't the Meitei elites mobilise masses to revoke AFSPA even after 30 years of its imposition? While the Meitei elites consider protection of 'territorial integrity' sacrosanct, saving the life of commoners (such as the life of Irom Sharmila Chanu and many others who are struggling for daily food) is 'meaningless' because the former benefits them but the latter do not.

5. Equal concern is the way Government handles the issue in the State. Whenever any problem arises in the State, instead of visiting the affected people and addressing the issue, our honourable Chief Minister would take flight to New Delhi. So, every problem in the State is like 'Honeymoon' for our Chief Minister. What does New Delhi know about the situation of Manipur? If Delhi knows anything about Manipur, it is a fertile place for 'sowing and growing' insurgents and the place best for keeping its military forces.

It never tries to understand the ground reality of common people who are struggling for survival. Hence, seeking Delhi's help is uncalled-for. If a doctor prescribes medicine on hearsay without examining the patient, the medicine might either worsen the sickness or kill the patient. Therefore, the advice and guidance from Centre that surpasses the suggestions and wisdom of our MLAs or the ground realities is dangerous.

Indeed, the Centre Government in all probability cannot and will not solve the problem of our State as it advocates neo-liberal globalisation. Conflict and militarisation is an important aspect of neo-liberalisation. Almost if not all of tribal areas in India which have huge reserve of natural resources/wealth are facing this heat. Therefore, conflict in any form is prerequisite to weaken local solidarity so that corporates in collaboration with local elites and politicians can exploit the resources. Conflict in that sense benefits the rulers and elites at the expense of common people.

6. Well, if the Meitei elites allow the Manipur Nagas to achieve their aspiration to be integrated into Nagaland State, what would happen? Indeed, the Naga people will be emotionally at ease thinking that they have achieved what they were longing for years. But what would be their economic and political share? Will the Nagas elites in Nagaland treat us better than the Meitei elites do?

Will they provide the same 'backward quota' to us as some tribes in Nagaland enjoy? Will 'integration' prevent tribalism? Will it bring 'factional killing' to a halt? Will there be equal opportunity in development? Will our condition be better than those of Eastern Nagas who are demanding for a separate State? How far will 'integration' take care of the welfare of common people?

Does Nagaland Government have better policy for common people than Manipur Government when its own periphery has no proper hospital, approached roads and schools? Will 'integration' benefit the farmers and the poor masses? Where do we go from here? Only dilemma!!!

7. The present conflict in Manipur is most likely not a conflict of all Nagas versus all Meiteis or all Nagas versus all Kukis. It is a 'clash of interest' of the elite class of different communities (Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis) with hidden agenda. Many of this elite ruling class have been using their ethnic group to raise their own status and assert their supremacy over others. Many of them are just trying to extract something from government in the name of their tribe or ethnic group.

The victims of any conflict are the common people. Among them, the poor and women are hit hardest. If our leaders/ruling elites have genuine concern for the welfare of common people, AFSPA would have been revoked many years back; insurgent problems reduced; corruption would not exist; educated unemployment problem solved; no economic blockade; no ethnic violence; development will be found in every nook and corner of the State. Leaving behind all these basic survival questions and talking about territorial issue appears to be very superficial.

8. The crux problem that concerns common people in Manipur is primarily not of 'territorial integrity'. The real problem is the question of survival and protection of life and livelihoods of all communities that affect our generation and the future of our children. How long will our elite class (Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis) take common people for a grand ride by creating tension in the society?

Today our leaders talk 'too much' about political rights and 'too less' about economic issue. This has caused much hardship to common people. While engaging in identity politics, it is important to know that 'the means' is as important as 'the end'. The welfare of common people must go hand in hand with any political agenda.

Use of violent means to achieve the goal is undesirable. What we need today is justice and peace, where every individual/community will be able to live together side by side without any fear or suspicion. What we need today is effective governance, free from corruption, nepotism and ethnic bias.

What we need today is cordial atmosphere where everyone can move freely and develop their life to the fullest. Give 'LOVE' – a chance to transform our society. If you have any sense of conscience, rise up and speak out for the betterment of all humanity.