Exclusive face of ethnic based politics : Of Kuki homeland and AA
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 14, 2012 -

Proposed map of Kuki State :: Pix - TSE

Exclusivity is the basis on which rest the principles of ethnic based politics.

The demand for a Kuki homeland or Kuki State and the demand for an Alternative Arrangement, pending a settlement to the Indo-Naga peace process, championed by the United Naga Council, are mutually exclusive of each other. Both are also exclusive of the geo-political reality called Manipur.

The public blockade called by the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) from the evening of November 15 is interesting in more than one way. Apart from the politics of pressure, the public blockade is also a statement on where the writ of the Kuki people can be exercised.

An important message that cuts in different ways and blows in different directions. The politics of pressure can be understood in the backdrop of the recent announcement made by the Kuki National Organisation, a signatory to the Suspension of Operation pact, that there will be 'no more signing' after the current pact expires on November 22, if the Centre does not initiate a political dialogue across the negotiating table.

On the other hand, the politics of 'area or habitation' can be understood in the route outlined by the KSDC where the public blockade will come into force. Imphal is central to the public blockade, naturally, but it is the other connecting points to the capital of the State that is extremely interesting.

The routes where the public blockade will be enforced, as announced by the KSDC are, Imphal to Ukhrul, Imphal to Tamenglong, Imphal to Moreh, Imphal to Chandel, Imphal to Senapati and Imphal to Churachandpur.

In just mapping out the route, the KSDC has also conveyed in no uncertain terms where the Kuki people have a presence and hence an interest which cannot and should not be overlooked.

Save for Churachandpur and Moreh the other named places such as Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel are very much on the map of the Alternative Arrangement or Naga integration demand raised by the UNC and the NSCN (IM).

Ethnic based politics are exclusive, but it is this very exclusiveness which can turn 'inclusive', as far as territory goes.

And it is the inclusive nature of territory which can take an ugly turn, if the spirit of accommodation or looking beyond one's political views are not given due importance.

This is what is being played out on the political turf of Manipur today for all to see and study.

Confusing and yet at the same time it offers scope to get a better understanding of how the dice can roll when ethnicity becomes the basis of a political agenda.

The demand for a Kuki State as well as the banner raised for Naga integration are anathema to the idea of Manipur as a political and social entity, but both are living realities which no one can afford to ignore.

The last word is yet to be said, especially given the fact that there is another group of people who have staunchly stood by the idea of a Manipur, which cannot be fractured under any term or pact.

Year 2012 is nearing its end, but the spectre of blockades, whichever prefix one may give it, continues to hang heavily in the air, once again underlining the point that nothing has changed at all at the ground reality. v In Mao's time, power may have come from the barrel of the gun, but in today's Manipur, power definitely comes from the stranglehold one may have over the National Highways and the roads and any route that connects one place to another.