In today's dictionary, freedom first means co-existence before any demand

Shanta Nahakpam *

The homecoming of Mr Muivah is becoming very much a master print in the hearts of various communities in Manipur. No matter Mr Muivah is a hero for Nagas, his support has been threatening the very existence of other communities in the state.

It is a fact the Nagas seem to never acknowledge the very existence of other communities on this earth. Does anyone understand what freedom is I wonder? In today's world of co-existence between all the communities, our dear brothers and sisters has been forcing practices such as economic blockade. It is also a matter of fact that such activities are the best way our brothers can protest. It has been going on since we knew the route (highways) which has now become quite a concern since it has started threatening livelihood of the people.

I still remember the days when I use to travel on bus and once I got hit with stones from the hill in Senapati district. Like anyone else I felt that it is not too safe to travel on the highways. I also wondered if the Govt of Manipur does not have much to do in protecting the passengers and the trucks. But more than that, I felt that why does a community target living being in the bus to protest their demands. It is such a barbaric act which the people of a community can commit.

By now it has been almost a decade but the situation has gone out of control. What was happening in the past has now become a practice of which the people living in valley seem to have absorbed as it comes and goes. For a fact the valley population has been like a big brother who has been listening to what the young brother has to say and has been quietly observing of whatever disaster the younger has been doing. As it is in the honour of the major community to protect and try to bring about understanding and harmony in the state.

I don't know if my Naga brothers will call me communal and not understanding the Naga problem but I think Nagas are indeed forgetting the very co-existence between different communities. The greed to become something should not hinder the existence of other people. It is a very developed world where in today's dictionary freedom first means co-existence before any demands.

I don't think boundaries separate people and their feelings had it been so; alternative route would have already been focused by the people to travel outside. People still have faith in our co-existence that is why we still take the same route even if there is trouble. It is no doubt that there is always alternative ways to travel in and out.

My dear Naga brother and sisters should not derail the little love and understanding which the valley has for the people of the state (be it anyone). The issue of NSCN as far as the people of the state understands and knows is that; not a single stone was moved from the valley Nagas during the issue of cease fire, instead the valley protected our brothers and sisters.

Now since the situation has gone too complicated, it is becoming a mark on the hearts of the people in the state because of the rising concern of survival. Nagas should reconsider the ways they have been blocking the roads to Manipur. Protesting for a demand is perfectly fine. I wonder the feasibility of such demands which is very much communal in nature (by not providing food and essential commodities).

Any armed group should not go for such demands which will hinder the co-existence unless they declare themself a communal army like other armed groups do. Nagas should ask themselves that while protesting anything; do they invite communal tension or not? A wise leader will never want to have tension which will harm the co-existence between different communities which Mr Muivah is not.

Also, the so called protest going on is against the basic rights of human being.

The UN declaration of human right mentions in its Article 3. "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."

Mr Muivah and his supporters do have the right to protest but not in a way in which other communities will be staged in a system where they hold everything of livelihood in their hands and tell others that if you don't do this we will not let you live!

The organisations supporting the blockade looting food stuffs and pushing trucks down the hill should remember that they are fighting for their existence and should not challenge existence of other community. Rather they should make others feel that they are right on their part. I wonder if the Naga HoHo and others who are supporter of the NSCN are kids who cannot look at broader prospects such as, how such act is going to sow the seed of hate between communities living in Manipur.

Muivah's only aim is to sow seeds of hate between the very co-existence in Manipur I wonder if the people even know what is the result of such act going to be. I am not writing because I know what is going to happen but I have a fear that it is going to be in very large scale. It should be very clear with the aim of Mr Muivah, which probably is creating communal tension, violence, and prove that communities can no longer live together. Whatever is happening today is sowed by Mr Muivah he wanted this to happen to bring some trouble since he is losing much effort he has made in the name of the Naga's.

Mr Muivah should realise the dignity of Manipuri people and understand that sowing communal seed is only going to harm the communities because he may be in Z plus, whatever security but in many towns in Manipur people live together and when they cannot sleep at night NSCN should be responsible for that.

When the other communities have hate feeling against the process of demand it is NSCN-IM to be blamed. It is funny that NSCN-IM and its supports suddenly claim the people of Manipur and Govt of Manipur communal when they have been blocking the livelihood of the people whenever they want. It is to be seen and observed from time to time that it is the NSCN-IM and their supporters that take advantage of the situation and steal, hijack and loot people and property in the high way.

Nagas and other Manipuri should not let each other fell this hate. Since no community is weak in existence and no community is strong we should solve it in ethical manner without force and challenging very existence of the people.