Framework for a Shared Future: A Way Forward on Democracy, Integration and Peace
- Part 1 -

Along Longkumer *

Framework for a Shared Future: A Way Forward on Democracy, Integration and Peace
(Text of the 11th Arambam Somorendra Memorial Lecture delivered on June 10 2016 at Lamyanba Shanglen)
By : Along Longkumer
Founder Editor, Morung Express

It is with great honour and my deepest admiration of the Manipuri people that I stand before you to deliver the Arambam Somorendra Memorial Lecture for 2016.

As I began to prepare for this Lecture, I was greatly encouraged by the philosophy behind the Arambam Somorendra Memorial Lecture series. As per information made available by the Trust, this Memorial Lecture has a single-point agenda: "To initiate and foster debate on any critical aspect of contemporary life in Manipur". By inviting a non-Manipuri like me to such a forum, I believe you have made this process of dialogue even more inclusive.

Let me at the outset also say that I am greatly inspired by the life and work of late Arambam Somorendra. As told to me, he was a leading playwright and social visionary of contemporary Manipur, who believed in the primacy of ideas and its passionate espousal. I also read that late Arambam Somorendra "had an open mind and unquenchable thirst for actions".

We can continue to discuss about people and events because they too are important to our consciousness or sentiments. But if we want to see a paradigm shift or transformative change in our situation we need to move to a higher level of understanding—openly discuss ideas and look for innovation, novelty in addressing our difficulties. If we can do this—a way out can be found.

When I was approached to deliver this lecture, I was given the freedom to select a topic of my choice. It took me only a few moments to decide that I should speak on the idea of 'A Way Forward' on several pertinent issues that confront us today in our immediate neighbourhood and the larger North East region.

The question of integration in the context of the Indo-Naga Peace Process and fostering dialogue, especially between the Meitei and Naga people; the opportunities provided by the Govenment of India's Act East policy and the need for greater integration of the region and its people; revisiting the idea of a plural democratic order in Manipur, including the night of the people of Manipur to self-determine, these are some of the things that I will speak on.

Naga integration and Manipur : Finding the middle ground

To begin, I want to quote here a portion of the speech delivered by Dr. Lokendra Arambam during the inauguration of the Naga Archives & Research Centre Dimapur on November 7, 2015. This is what he said and I quote:" As a neighbor Manipur proviedes a very critical sub-text in the Naga Independence struggle".

I found this statement to be truthful and precise. It is also an acknowledgement of the shared history between the Meitei and Naga people and all the need therefore to explore a framework for a shared future.

Before going any further on this point of a shared future, which we will revisit later, if I may be allowed to, in the context of what my learned teacher Dr Lokendra said about Manipur providing a "very critical sub-text in the Naga independence struggle, I would like to briefly state here the case for the unification of contiguous Naga inhabited areas and also present a way forward on this very difficult and sensitive question for our peoples.

You may agree or disagree with me on some of these points.

The Government of India's acknowledgement of the unique history and situation of the Nagas is according to me, an affirmation of Naga integration. The land that belongs to the Naga people will belong to themwherever they are and under whatever administrative setup they may come under.

This is the reality.

That Nagas of Manipur have been living in Manipur for ages in peaceful co-existence with the other communities, including the Meiteis, this is also a reality we should not forget easily.

The so called demand for 'Greater Nagalim' or integration of Naga areas has been a subject of huge public interest as also the subject of intense media and public scrutiny. This topic is bound to generate renewed interest given the recent 'Framework Agreement' that was signed by the Government of India's Interlocutor R.N Ravi and Th.Muivah, the Chief Negotiator of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (or NSCN-IM).

And so whether we like it or not, the question of Naga integration is of immense importance to the peace process with both past (during the NNC time) and present talks (with the NSCN-IM) with the Government of India, having underscored this point in their agenda.

Even the 16-Point Agreement, on the basis of which Nagaland State was formed, has a clause called 'Consolidation of Contiguous Naga Areas' where the then Naga leaders who were signatories to the agreement expressed the view that "other Nagas inhabiting contiguous areas should be enabled to join the new State" (Nagaland).

You will understand therefore that there is a basis to the present claims and the position taken by the Naga people on this issue.

I want to quote here from an article appearing in the online news portal, The Quint dated August 13, 2015. Former Union Home Secretary, K Padmanabhaiah, also the Government of India's interlocutor for the Naga peace talks between 1999 and 2009 had this to say.

"A possible solution that has been suggested to them is the creation of a Naga Regional Council – comprising representatives from all major Naga tribes in the North East – which should be consulted by the concerned state governments on matters relating to the socio-economic development of Naga tribes living in those states".

Coming from someone like Padmanabhaiah, the longest serving interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, the above proposal appears to be credible and a distinct possibility. In fact Padmanabhaiah goes on to say that the idea of a Naga Regional Council has been suggested to the NSCN (IM) as "a possible solution" to the question of Naga integration.

To add to what the former interlocutor has disclosed and in the light of the present inability to redraw state boundaries, the suggestion of a 'non-territorial model' has been put forward for quite some time now as a way forward in the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks.

For instance, Late BG Verghese, a much respected Indian journalist had suggested a non-territorial approach that would strengthen the Naga way of life and would not affect the integrity of other states. He is also reported to have recommended the formation of a 'Naga Regional Council' that would have given the Nagas, beyond present Nagaland state, some say in non-political areas like culture and social mores.

To be continued.....