Dropping demand for Greater Lim : What in its place ?
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: August 24 2018 -
Nagalim demand dropped. This is Interlocutor to the peace talk RN Ravi to a Parliamentary panel attached to the Union Home Ministry some time back.
The natural question that follows, if New Delhi has managed to convince NSCN (IM) to drop the integration demand, then what would be offered in its place ?
Clearly something has to be given to the NSCN (IM) based on the ‘unique history of the Nagas’ after more than 20 years of political negotiations.
The question is what is it that may be given ?
Moreover would it hurt the interests of the States neighbouring Nagaland ?
This is where the line taken up by the Congress and civil society organisations like the UCM gains traction.
It is not for nothing that the Congress has been going to town with the slogan that there should be no room to extend Article 371A to specific geographical areas of Manipur for this would be nothing but sowing the seeds for disintegration of Manipur as time passes.
If not now, then later, is the apprehension that the Congress has aired.
Given that the NSCN (IM) has given up its much avowed dream of Naga integration, the apprehension expressed by the Congress becomes all that more comprehensible.
And it should also be noted that in Th Muivah the Nagas or rather the NSCN (IM) has a very, very far sighted leader, who must have looked beyond 10/20.
It is not for nothing why the phrase, ‘In demanding Re 1, start by accepting 25 paise’ sits so comfortably well on the head of Th Muivah.
It is along this line that the Congress and civil society organisations like the UCM have been mobilising the people with a series of meeting.
The BJP led State Government cannot simply afford to brush this aside by quipping that the Congress is doing this with an eye on the upcoming Parliamentary elections.
The final pact is yet to be inked and it is important for all to come to the point that while it is critical to mobilise the people now, this should not mean preparing anyone to take a confrontationist stand.
What one is talking about here is the protection of Manipur as a geo-political entity and anything that can go to defeat the idea of Manipur should not be encouraged.
And the idea of Manipur as a geo-political reality should go beyond its territories and the administrative set up.
The sacredness of the people to people relationship should not be allowed to be diluted or messed around with.
This is where people need to be very, very cautious while dealing with the ongoing negotiation between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM).
So far the people have raised their voice against compromising the territorial integrity of Manipur and any sort of administrative arrangements such as Article 371A and 6th Schedule.
This is the stand of the people but yet at the same time, it would greatly help if public leaders can discuss what may be acceptable in giving to the NSCN (IM) for the reality stands that something has to be given.
What is it that will be acceptable to the people is a question that needs a sincere and serious introspection.
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