Forsaking Peace In Manipur To Appease A Community

Deepa Khomdram *

The center's decision to allow Muivah to visit Manipur calls for question. The motive behind the Central Government's decision to permit the schedule of this visit is indiscernible. The Home Ministry is well aware of the political and social tensions that the state is going through. Despite knowing all this, giving clearance to the visit clearly points out the step-motherly attitude of the Central Government towards us.

No doubt the constitution has given ample freedom at the disposal of the Central Government to exercise its powers in order to maintain peace and harmony in the country as a whole but at the cost of the peace and harmony of a state. This is quite wayward and unacceptable that too when it comes to disrupting peace and harmony of a state just for the interest of a particular community.

This decision of the Central Government has ringed an alarm to all the manipuris that we must wake up from the deep slumber and remain alert. Our future at the hands of the Indian Government is no longer safe and secured. The Central Government is fully aware of the circumstances that occurred a couple of years ago when the ceasefire extended to Manipur.

Despite knowing this fact, why is the Central Government showing such a callous attitude towards us. The Central Government seems to have forgotten Manipur as a state in a bid to appease the demand of a community.

The ongoing peace talk between NSCN (IM) and the Central Government is a welcome move but why should we forsake the peace and harmony of our state. Is the Central Government ready to face all the consequences that will arise? Who will be responsible for any of the untoward incidents that may most likely occur during and post visit?

It is a major flaw on the part of the Central Government to have neglected to consult the State Government, before making the hasty decision. The Central Government seems to have forgotten that the issue concerns the state and the state has its full authority to give its say regarding this issue.

In a bid to bell the cat, the Central Government is forsaking the integrity of Manipur as a state. Witnessing proceedings such as this, how long can we rely on the efficiency of the machinery of the country. There are a number of unanswered questions that still lingers regarding this issue.

Until and unless the Central Government calls off its decision, turmoil will continue to stir in Manipur. However, to protect and safeguard the integrity of Manipur, the people of Manipur will not budge even slightly from where they stand to block the criminal entering the soil of Manipur.

Quoting Muivah's own words, "The opposition to my visit by the Meiteis came as a surprise...the visit is for peace, to meet family and friends and not to disturb anyone...We will not claim anything which belongs to the Meiteis, let them have theirs, we will only have what is rightfully ours," My question is since when did the parts of Manipur that they claim to be theirs became rightfully theirs.

Since time immemorial, it has always been a part of Manipur and will always remain a part of Manipur irrespective of the races and caste that are prevalent in the state. He strikes a clear note of irony in his own words. At one hand he claims to visit for peace and on the other hand, he says "...we will have what is rightfully ours," This contradictory statement shows his own motive for visiting Manipur by making the excuse of visiting the place of his birth on a peaceful note.

Muivah maybe the General Secretary of NSCN (IM) but for us he is a criminal for the state as he is responsible for causing the inner turmoil of the state. As a result of his callousness, Manipur has already witnessed a blood bath in the year 2001. But we, as the inhabitants of the state, do not wish to witness any more of such gory incidents. The Central Government's decision to allow Muivah to visit Manipur is an attempt to disintegrate the integrity of the state.

In a way, it could be seen as the Central Government conniving with the banned outfit to arouse communal riots and distrusts. In such a sensitive situation, the Central Government watching the outburst quietly is indeed heartrending.

Is the Government waiting for the manipuris to write another chapter of blood shed in the pages of history? Seeing the tension that is being build up in Manipur brings a shiver down the spine. It reminds of the voices that shouted, "Manipuir gi ngamkhei kaiba yaroi" way back in 2001 leading to the deadly massacre of innocent civilians on the 18th of June as a revolt to Central Governments agreement with the NSCN (IM) on extending the ceasefire till Manipur. With the current turmoil that is prevalent in the state, I am afraid, if the bloody massacre of June 18 will revisit again.

Fellow brethrens, it is now time to wake up and face the ugly truth that stands before us. Instead of shedding each other's blood, Why not we unite and stand together to fight for a cause? Let us fight back to save the integrity of our state that is at stake. Now is the time to act and not to get laid back.

So, my fellow comrades let us join our hands together and step a head without looking back for the cause of a better Manipur and shoo away the enemy from our territory. It is now time to realize that we can no longer rely on the law makers of the country for the welfare of our state. It has been well said that, "United we stand, Divided we fall". So its time to wake up from the deep slumber we are in and stand up in unison to safeguard the state.