For and objection over separate administration demand
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 10, 2023 -
REGARDLESS of the m Kuki legislators steadfast in their pursuit for separate administration and the demand under-standably evoking unconditional support from Chin-Kuki civil societies and students' bodies, the Union government is unlikely to take any hasty decision as the issue merits proper con-sultation with all the stakeholders concerned in order to avoid creation of new problems in trying to settle the present chaos.
While only time will tell what magic formula the centre would come up with to keep the communities in conflict in jovial mood, it is crystal clear that the ethnic violence that claimed over 100 lives, left more than 300 people injured and rendered thousands homeless has created sharp divisions on ethnic lines.
Apart from Kuki individuals and organisations unrelenting from its stand that separate administration, technically a separate state, is the only solu-tion and the Meeteis fiercely opposed to any demand or move for any kind of division of the state, the assertion by the Naga MLAs that Kukis cannot in any circumstances encroach on Naga territory in pursuance of a separate administration underscores that any effort to bring settlement sans extensive consulta-tion process and consent of the parties con-cerned would have disastrous consequences.
Considering the fact that influential Naga organisations had been demanding rollback of the then Congress government's decision to carve out Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal dis-tricts, among others districts, from Senapati and Chandel districts, which have substantial cognate Naga tribes, it is likely that ceding to the Kukis' demand for separate administration encompassing Naga inhabited areas would not only trigger socio-political turmoil in the state but also be serious headache for the centre.
Moreover, the Naga MLAs telling Union home minister Amit Shah that Churachandpur is the only Kuki-dominated area in Manipur and Kukis cannot in any circumstances encroach on their (Naga) territory vis-a-vis demand for a separate administration speaks volume about the deep division among the ethnic commu-nities in Manipur and their uncompromising stand when it comes to land ownership.
At the moment, the centre appears to be in no mood to accept any proposal for division of Manipur as is evident from Amit Shah re-portedly assuring the Naga MLAs in New Delhi on Wednesday that there would be no compromise on Manipur's territorial integrity.
As reported, the home minister made his as well as centre's stand clear on the issue to m Naga MLAs when they held discussion with Amit Shah on the prevailing restive situation in the state.
The ten legislators, comprising one independent, two each from NPP and BJP, and five from Naga People's Front including ministers Kashim Vashum and Awangbow Newmai, also informed the home minister that if a solution is to be worked out by the centre then it should not be for one community alone, but for the entire region, thereby reflecting the Naga people's aspiration to determine their own future.
Thus, it is imperative that the centre weighs all pros and cons before taking a call as appeasement policy, if any, for one particular community would only backfire and aggravate the situation rather than bringing solution.
Instead, priority should be accorded towards easing the tension and creating con-ducive environment for the parties in dispute to iron out their differences.
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