Manipur - A Forgotten State ?

Asia Defense News International *

The situation in Manipur is extremely volatile following Naga rebel leader Mr. Muivah's insistence on visiting his native village Somdal in Ukhrul district of Manipur. The matter belatedly came up on Wednesday (19th May) meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security in New Delhi. Yet, no solution is still insight, which has become a deep embarrassment for the Government of India.

From April 12 some Naga civil society organizations imposed economic blockades on the two National highways protesting the Autonomous (Hill) District election process in Manipur. Just then the NSCN (IM) leader Mr. Muivah's proposed visit to his native village added fuel to an already explosive situation.

Opposition to the Autonomous District Council election of the NSCN (IM) is well known. The build-up peaked when Mr. Muivah reached Vishwema village on the Nagaland border of Manipur on the 5th May. A determined Manipur government went ahead with the election schedule and reinforced police force at Mao Gate of Manipur just across Vishwema where Muivah was camping.

Sensing trouble the Union Home Secretary Mr. G K Pillai and Center's interlocutor to Naga peace talks Mr. RS Pandey air-dashed to Imphal, at first persuading Mr. O Ibobi Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur to allow the Naga rebel leader to visit Manipur which Mr. Ibobi Singh declined. Later, Mr. Pillai met Mr. Muivah at Vishwema who too remained firm on his decision to visit Manipur.

The crucial question is, "why Muivah is not allowed to visit his home village in Manipur?" A counter question is," why Muivah chose to visit Manipur at this juncture when the process of District Council election is already on?" Answers are "not new" but reiteration of their own stance.

North-East watcher Mr. Sanjay Hazarika has commented that "Imphal is missing a golden opportunity to welcome Muivah in a sprit of reconciliation and warmth. If Meitei leaders, political and civil society had gathered at Mao Gate to welcome him (Muivah).... it would have sent a dramatic and amazing message of healing and reconciliation across the North-East and to all of India. Just think how powerful that message could have been; it would have calmed the angry voices and reduced confrontation and provide political and emotional space for conservation and brotherhood."

The epicenter of the turmoil lay centered at the 13-year old Naga peace talks. Sovereignty is reportedly no longer a central issue in the Naga peace talks. It now shifts to integration of all Naga inhabited areas into "Nagalim" (Greater Nagaland).

Out of the five hill districts of Manipur four (Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel) are claimed as "Nagalim" which is not acceptable, among others, to non-Nagas now inhabiting in these districts. An official spokesperson of the ruling Secular Progressive Front Government of Manipur has clarified over the media: had Muivah's visit been a mere homecoming without a political agenda people would have welcomed him.

Manipur saw an unprecedented upheaval in June 2001 when the Government of India extended the cease-fire between the Center and NSCN (IM) beyond Nagaland. Incensed people burnt down the Manipur Assembly buildings and attacked Raj Bhawan and Chief Minister's Bungalow, Imphal resulting in death of 18 persons.

For more than a month, Imphal the capital city, remained under curfew. And the agitation subsided only after Government of India declared limitation of the cease-fire within Nagaland territory. Still afresh with the memory of June 18 incident the Chief Minister Mr. Ibobi Singh refused entry of Muivah to Manipur even when he was asked to allow by a group of Union Ministers in New Delhi on May 8.

The history of Manipur is hardly known to the "opinion leaders" and "policy makers" of the country. It has a two-millennia-old history and evolved a well-synergized and pluralistic society. Even Ukhrul district is not uni-ethnic; it is inhabited by various ethnic groups, one of which is Kuki.

Also the other districts have got mixed population of Naga and non-Naga. Above all, Manipur has parallel militant outfits on ethnic lines numbering about 40. If at all the state is now reorganized on ethnic lines Manipur may witness a Bosnia or Rwanda type of situation.

The imbroglio already created by the ethnic-based economic blockade is violative of right to life of both hills and valley people. In no way, economic blockade should be used as a means for any agitation? And that too, not for a few days; but for as many as two months. Will the government of India look the other way if such gross human rights are perpetrated anywhere else in the country ?

The hurt Manipuri sentiment on the outright merger of Manipur in Indian Union since 1949, also gifting away of Manipur's Kabo-valley (sized at double of the present Manipur area) to Burma and subsequent grant of statehood to Manipur ten years after Nagaland, had all through created a "strong sense of dismay among the youth".

If the present-day decision makers in New Delhi still overlook the Manipur case it will definitely trigger an unending process of balkanization in the North-East India.