Is it really constitutional? I wonder!

R S Jassal *

After giving condensed historical background, Madam Nandita skipped off certain facts which are worth knowing as ponderables:-
(a) Name does not matter, whether Manipur, Meitralibak or Kangleibak. What matters is the achievements of Manipuri's (including Hill Peoples), creation of literature, skill and strides in arts and culture, creation and maintenance of puyas, Meitei Mayek script, originating-cum- development of martial arts, fighting techniques in battles including carriage and style (salai wise) of packing foods in banana leaves by different groups of Manipuri fighters and living a complete composite life from birth to death, pony polo, wrestling like indigenous games intimate knowledge of cosmology etc. and so on, would not have been possible from 18th century onwards only after adoption of Sanskritised name as 'Manipur ' which does not meet average reader's comprehensions hence needs discarding as such. This is anomaly Number one and it opens with a biased attitude towards people of the State (May be Meitei's to single out)

Please read it devoid of British appearance on the Manipur scene which commenced with Verelyst Treaty 1872 and prior to that and as late as 1930's people suffered from lack of English STUDIES but not KNOWLEDGE. If hill people had village states, valley people had salai states, hence all fought among themselves even for themselves till all the Kanglas- Khuman, Moirang, Mangang etc were integrated into Imphal . Kangla thus assuming the status of all in one synonymous to Manipore; they fought with Ava (Burma ruler) losing and winning battles and assisted the British as allies irrespective of hills tribes/valley tribe's - cum-communities. So let us not presume that little was known about Manipur till 18th century.

Meitei's in Psyche and Chores- vis-a vis Nagas-Kuki's- Hmar's

I am also like you, Madam, married in Manipur, so enchanted by its charm and naturology, schemes of Almighty God [Akal purukh in my faith i.e., (Sikhism)] that I could not go back but I am glad that you have managed to take your husband along. I was married in Ukhrul in Tangkhul family. My two daughters are married in valley - one in Sougaijam clan - (converts from Kuki to Meitei's) and the other in Mariembam (Moirang), former clan proud of having late General Balram - H Irabot form their family fold and other of Late M Koireng Singh , erst while CM and pioneer proponent of INA as revolutionary.

I have plenty of friends in Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis, Hmar's and Pangals. No one (Meitei's) talks much or the least to be descendents of Arjun-Chitrangada or forming Kinship with the fable. Precisely, every clan/salai of Meitei name ends with M like Elangbam, HoubamThoudam, Sanasam Moregathem Mariembam etc., Sanskritisation could have changed this style.

But No - if Shanti, Anandi name's are available in Meitei it is very much available in Tangkhuls also (it is a stray example). Because of rugged hills, lack of communications, difficult geophysicaities, Assamese (erstwhile Naga Hills, Lushai Hills, Garo Hills, NEFA etc included) Tripuri's were more influenced by Bengali literature & culture, so it appears Maharaj Garibniwaz introduced Vaisnavism into Manipur to bring his subjects at par with Assam & Tripura through Bengali culture so people could get exposure.

Also connect influence of cult image culture on Jadonang- Rani Gaindeliu- influence of Indian temples from Assam & Kolkata. And also examine result of this transition. Manipuri's advanced phenomenally. So were tribals under support & influence of Christianity later. Researchers can follow it better. Except one fight for taking possession of Moorti (Bishroop Saga) in general area of 1st Manipur Rifles there has never been any recoded version of destroying any Sanamahi temple or something like that.

Generally speaking each family (Meitei) is having a temple devoted to Sanamahi to depict love of two brothers (deities) elder and younger (one very strong fit for ruling and the other considerably weak). In marriages and otherwise performance of rituals different Meitei's annotate their forehead/nose/ shoulder, chest & neck in different schemes in Chandan according to their professed faith. Their never has been any live burning of Muslim by the Meitei's in the known history of Manipur.

Yes a large number of Muslims (Pangals) say around 100 were killed in a sudden fight at Lilong some time around 1983 . So this social upsurge can not be linked with political event. The background of that fight was also spontaneous because of instigated due partisoned distribution of illegal weapons clandestinely brought into valley by Pangal dubious dealers for sale to PLA in valley, as Urban insurgency was propping up in a big pampered way which was unexperienced and also unexpected till then. In fifth community there is no rickshaw puller and , no industry/industrialist exists in Manipur whatsoever.

This is anomally number Two :-
Dahio episode : He had declared independent state for Mao Nagas and asked for armed help from Md. Ali Jinah through a telegram and not for amalgamation of Nagas of Manipur to Nagaland in 1940's (which was non existent then). British Paramountcy had to divide Indian Lands into two - one India and the other Pakistan. There was no third country to be created.

Dahio with lack of law and knowledge of international law landed into trouble and was arrested by Maharaj Kumar , PB Singh, the then CM and Maj Bob Khatting MC, Padamshree (a very intelligent and shrewd Tangkhul of those days), in accompaniment who was Minister for Hill Affairs. After Independence around 1956-57 two United Naga Integration Councils - one under Rishang Keishing ( now a veteran Congress(I) leader & MP) , Mr. Envy then MLA ( both Tangkhul) in Manipur and one such for Tuensang/Mon area for amalgamation to Naga Hills (now Nagaland) under late Tochi Hanso a Chang from Chingmei (Tuensang) worked in area Mon - Tuensang - Phom.

They forgot their bearings and reached jungles falling within Assam jurisdiction and landed in jail. On Naga Hills expanded to NHTA (Naga Hills & Tuensang Area) Tochi orgnisation died of its own death. Tochi Hanso later became Parliamentary Secretary and again Minister for PWD and also remarried in Angami family (Kohima). He got well knit with NFG/NNC movement. But UNIC wing Nagaland got dissolved .

In 1972 Manipur State achieved its statehood preceding an Agreement between Congress High command (AICC) and the UNIC - MPCC struck of which Nandita has made a reference quite correct . But it needs holistic look . The condition was UNIC will merge with AICC thus UNIC became part of AICC with promise of two top appointments to be given to two of the leaders - one in state & the other in AICC. Signatories were Sheel Bhadra Yazee, the General Secretary AICC, H.Nilamani, President MPCC & Rishang Keishing. In Nagaland and Manipur (1972) dissolution of UNIC both are the bed - rock of political decisions taken by the Naga leaders & Congress High Command.

It a lawyer of Nandita stature is to interpret importance of UNIC merger with AICC, she should do justice upholding that Naga cause of any further amalgamation is now fraught with more disadvantages over advantages. However it needs prismatic vision & moral courage to see through the fog. But in modern history of Nagas any one who professes such claim is branded anti - Naga and any one who can use pen in favor of NSCN (IM) becomes champion of Naga cause. This is the tragicomedy of the whole issue. So I suggest readers can select anomally number . Three if anyone can sift chaff for the grain.

I wonder a person qualified in Law- why should not support laws as people bereft of the legal awareness depend on lawyers for ultimate justice. Sh. Th Muivah has not been disallowed to visit his home village. He CAN and he WILL. But can any Government immediately connected with its people in lawful manner overlook defaulters. What a fantastic idea ! Muivah would have visited via Naga areas.

Why not via valley area? Why a lawyer on Human Rights should go so far ? By air, by land, by direct or indirect route can offence opened in books be obliterated unless settled through law? This cliché 'Naga areas' 'Meitei areas' is getting overused. Writers can write for or against, but should convey clear conscientious picture to the readers.

Madam feels proud she fought for Human Rights Violation of Nagas (subsequent to Oinam Operations of the Assam Rifles in 1990) but honestly speaking what happened to her enthusiasun when a large number of Kukis were massacred during 1992-93. In the same year(s) many Nagas were also brutally killed by Kukis & in last decade many Meitei's, innocent children including women of all communities have also been killed. Why impartial body of HR should remain quiet on their rights. HR applies equally to all. This is anomally number four whether you like it or not.

A time comes when realization comes. Naga leaders now on reconciliation mission are on repenting mission too, Read Kaka D. Iralus letter to Mr Muivah and his team published in Morung repress on 23 Jun ten edition in Editor's column. It is self explanatory . He has been staunch India hater but how long one can conceal the truth universal feeling called - sentiments. This is just a beginning. There are many such thinkers who are quiet but at the same time appreciate his positive sentiments .

Hall mark is that he is happy at the turn of the events of respected Muivah's search for peace. I analyse and profess that if Muivah, Khaplang and Singhya , all three appear on one stage, and hold each others hands, there will be positive changes in peace space and people will not bother for territories but for cosmological love for the lands as it belongs to nobody - individual or clan. Zaffer Shah's last verse composed by him while in exile in Burma before dying.

"Kitna badnasseb hai Zaffar, ki-dafan ke lie do gaz zameen bhi na mil saki kuye yaar mein" (apne batan main) carries lot of meaning for humanly. He was the last Mughal King of Hindustan & was adopted as supreme head for reinstallation as King by Force's inimical to the British regime. But alas! history does not wait for anybody. It moves on and on.

IN FINE, I appeal all to agree with me there is no political crisis in Manipur. It's only emotional crisis. If resignation of six MsLA( accepted or not) amounts to political crisis, it happens in a democratic setup where democratic systems are liberal . But time comes when liberal systems too go highly constrictive. (Please refer to Punjab Assembly dissolved by late Smt. Indira Gandhi government in 1984 leading to operation - Blue Star even when in State Assembly Akali- Dal enjoyed absolute majority. Telengana ! what happens there repeatedly . Nagaland Assembly , SC Jamir won 35 seats uncontested so Constitution of India guides well how to meet political crisis as and when it comes up.

Examine my statement in the following perspective. Nagas, Kukis, Meitei's and other are well-knit social groups because they have common lingua franca . They have uncountable number of inter marriage alliances. They have cultural, customary and traditional base not permitting them to debase. Muivah must be approached by well meaning Meitei Kuki leaders in a heart to heart engagement.

Author had called on him in Visvema camp on 29 May 2010 when Manipuri number plates (even on cars) were banned to travel through Nagaland by NSF and found him to be a person of affable nature. Past things can be opened, discussed and thrashed. A new ray of hope can be generated Bitterness can be converted into sweet & sour by understanding. Neither he nor his supporters from within the soil and those outsiders with imposed tourist knowledge can overlook it. This is my sincere wish.

Allegations and counter allegations will not pay. Manipur- as extreme eastern wing of India as a cultural link with SE Asia is victim of circumstantial historical events of its own and peculiar history which is well known & understood by 'people who matter' who wish to solve it by creating of problem over a problem.

Everyone who is here (valley and hills) is part of corruption game. CORRUPTION is the only unifying factor that too coupled with extortions by UGs of all hues are reaping the benefits of development like lucky ones enjoying cream over boiled milk & balance getting contented with LASSI only yet remaining healthy because climate is salubrious circumstances are favourable. Who is going to equalize it?

It corruption is routed out perhaps society will collapse. So corruption is not the hurdle for Hills living happily with Valleys. New generation will well understand this and can help in bringing positive changes for peaceful living in ' a new hoped for egalitarian social order' only if present generation bureaucrats & politicians start moving slipping stones to stability with personal examples. And that needs COURAGE

I have never seen any tribal or member from fifth community pulling a rickshaw here. I wonder how can IRB be called as a brutal force which is not only a derogatory remark to the civil force but antinational remarks too. IRB constitutes of recruitment from valley & hills both. Shortcomings whatsoever observed may be in training which can be rectified. Let us hope for the best and change our mindsets.