Getting more and more confusing
- Sangai Express Editorial :: March 03, 2014 -

File pic of a rally demanding Alternative Arrangements

Political level talk. High Level Committee. This is the latest development from the Alternative Arrangement demand put up by the united Naga Council.

Yet it is still mired in confusion.

As repeatedly mentioned in this column, it is only the UNC which has been clear on its stand, a stand which has defined the Alternative Arrangement, as an arrangement for the Nagas of Manipur outside the Government of Manipur and pending a final, resolution to the ongoing political talks between the IM faction of the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India.

Imphal on the other hand has been very, very vague.

The premise of the political level talk rests on the face of the State Government deputing a team of Ministers led by Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam in the 6th round of talk at Senapati recently, while the Central team was led by the Joint Secretary in the Union Home Ministry (in charge of North East) Mr Shambu Singh.

Yet at the same time, Deputy Chief Minister, who is also in charge of the Home portfolio, has been maintaining that the State Government is merely a 'spectator' with the demand put up by the UNC directed towards the Centre.

If it is just a mere spectator, then why were political leaders of the State deputed to attend the 6th round of talk, is the natural question that follows.

Moreover how can the State Government be mere spectators when the issue very much involves the geo-political entity known as Manipur.

Something, somewhere is missing, akin to the missing link in the theory of evolution expounded by Charles Darwin.

Not the time to hide behind political speak, but to make the issue or the talk as transparent as possible.

Throwing a veil of secrecy will only lead to more confusion and this will lead to more misunderstanding between the different communities.

Already the Kuki bodies have raised their objection to any settlement with the Nagas of Manipur until and unless their issues are settled first.

The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation and United Manipur Committee have also jumped into the fray and demanded that the Union Home Ministry spell out what exactly is the High Level Committee.

While the UNC has not responded to the stand of the Kuki bodies, it has not spared any punches in coming out against the AMUCO and UCM, blaming them for all "the ills afflicting Manipur."

On the other hand, it is significant to note that the AMUCO and the UCM have not said anything against the UNC per se instead training their guns at the Centre and the State Government.

Kuki State. Alternative Arrangement. Demand to include the Meiteis in the list of Scheduled Tribes.

All different aspirations and standing in sharp contradiction against each other. Where does this leave Manipur ?

Creating a situation where there can be no meeting point ?

Or asserting one's rights within one's domain without infringing on the rights of the others ?

No one has articulated their thoughts on this question, but it has been the consistent stand of The Sangai Express that any demand or issues that come at the expense of Manipur as a social and political entity should be opposed.

It is up to the Government, both at the Centre and Imphal to decide whether of any these demands pose a threat to the survival of Manipur as a State within the Union of India.

In asserting one's rights and aspirations, care should be taken to ensure that it does not infringe upon the interest of the State as a whole.

A case of everyone speaking only for themselves, without really thinking about the place called Manipur.

Chief Minister O Ibobi and hence the Government of Manipur has already been dubbed a 'communal Government' by the UNC, yet at the same time it also stands that in accusing one of being communal, the same finger may be pointed at the other.

Manipur today stands at the cross road, and the outcome would largely depend on how the political leaders and the civil society organisations and the common people approach the different issues confronting the State.

Time to give up the mentality of "We" and see beyond this and widen the scope of" We" where all the interests of the stakeholders are taken into considerations with the merit they deserve.