Happy : Being Away ?

Robert Lanky *

Manipur which is known as 'Jewel in the Crown' or the "Land of Jewels" is burning. Curfew, bundhs, protests, hartal, blockades are common words and deeds too.

Ever since a Delhi-based news portal 'Tehlka' published incriminating photographs showing a former militant being roughed up before he was shot by Manipur commandos in Imphal followed by the death of a pregnant woman Rubina in the crossfire, the state has not stopped making news.

Despite the present situation and unrest in the state, I have no option but to stay here due to job compulsion. All my near and dear who are away from the state of Manipur and working in different cities have been worried and continuously inquiring about my well being. To calm their fears and anxiety, I tell them that 'I am okay, but the condition is bad'.

Nancy (name changed), a friend from Manipur who is working in one of the IT companies in Delhi persistently rings me up enquiring about her aged parents and the sufferings at their 'old age' in the 'new age' problems of protests and bundhs.

I remember, post 23 Jul incident, one night she gave me frantic calls and many a missed calls to find out about her parents I promised her that, I will visit her parents during the relaxed curfew hours (5-9 AM). Although she has two brothers, they are married and working outside Manipur due to lack of employment opportunities and corruption/bribery for any job.

They had left their home town in 2004, in a similar situation as today. On completion of her studies, Nancy like her brothers, was also forced to move out of Imphal as she could not get any government job despite having the requisite qualification. She didn't have enough money to bribe the higher-ups.

She moved to Delhi and joined an IT software company as Front Office Girl. But within three years she became 'Front Office & Lobby Manager' through her hard work and commitment and not by bribing the higher -ups as prevalent in Manipur.

While Nancy is in Delhi, Manipur continues to burn. As in the past, the Manipuri women are the only visible street protestor. They are using every possible (known) strategy to oust Chief Minister, Mr. Ibobi Singh and repealing of the draconian law-Armed Forces Special Power Act. But nothing seems to be working.

Women have used every imaginative symbols to capture the attention of the national and world audience. I recollect the ugly situation in 2004, when 13 naked women protested against Assam Rifles infront of Kanglafort at Imphal.

This time too, women have again used the similar strategy but as a symbolic protest of making a sort of protective fence out of their phaneks (a sort of sarong worn by Meitei women).

In other words it is an expression of outrage, a cry of desperation and their only way of showing; how naked and helpless they feel in the absence of a rule of law where justice doesn't prevails.

A state, which have produced world famous Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna Award winner; Mary Kom, renowned dramatists like Ratan Thiyam and many sportspersons, with famous personalities and outstanding intellectuals could be a number one state amongst the other North Eastern states.

Unfortunately, Manipur has become the top state in India, nay, the NE in terrorism and related activities. As per latest report, 36 insurgent groups are active in the state. Remorsefully, the state has become anarchic and unsafe. Those who can afford have moved out of the state, living in better conditions but (un) happy; unhappy thinking of their folks living in hell like condition.

Although Nancy is in Delhi, she too faces many problems there. In Manipur it is due to terrorist related problems. But in Delhi, it is identity crisis and survival.

Most North easterners are referred to as 'Chinkies' and sarcastically as Hakka Noodles and girls form the region have to ward off from preying eyes. Whether it is Manipur or Delhi, safety & security is a major concern.

On one occasion I had the opportunity to interact with the young generations from Manipur and asked them a volley of questions. "Why they are not trying for jobs in Manipur? What are the compulsions for leaving their home & home town leaving behind their helpless parents? Are they happy being away?"

They all looked at me as if I am an alien! Instantly and in unison they all said; "Don't you know the situation created by various militant groups and police commandos? Don't you know the corruption level in the state? Where is the job opportunity? Is there any Multi National Company in the state? Don't you know, out of 365 days in the year 200 days are bundhs and hartals? Do you think that we are happy being away from our own homes?"

Having heard these replies in form of questions, I didn't have any answer. I was left speechless. Many a proding questions came to my mind. Will continued killings, bombs blasts, bundhs, hartals, curfews, protest by women, JACs bring peace in Manipur ? No. If not, then what?

Even the Prime Minister of India has expressed his disdain at the CM's utterances in the State Assembly that 'Manipur has become ungovernable and to bring back a semblance of governance, some amount of "killing" of the underground forces is inevitable'.

He may be right up to some extent as PLA, PREEPAK & KCP (MC) are committing atrocities on the general public by carrying out grenade attacks, bombs, extortion and abduction for ransom. But wanton "killings of innocent people or surrendered militants by the state police commando cannot be any justification and is condemnable.

Those of us who watch the situation from a distance can only sympathies and agonies the sufferings and pain by our near and dear ones in Manipur? We can not pretend to be 'happy' being away from Manipur.

It is time to bring sanity in Manipur and other violence-impaired areas of the region through a network of peace builders who are not looking for personal and political gains but by those who will work for humanitarian reasons only.

There is no happiness for the people of Manipur either in Manipur or else where in India (Un) happy : being away ?? Being away, is no solution.