Nagalim : Can there be any solution?

J C Dr. Moirangcha *

It is accepted by all that first living thing/creature on the earth was a single-cell animal evolved millions of years ago. From that single-cell animal, human being was evolved after numerous other evolutions. Among all living things, human beings are the most intelligent, selfish, social animal. All living things including human beings are struggling for survival and the fittest will survive (Darwind's theory of evolution). This is a natural process. The Nagas' & non-Nagas' are also joining this natural process of survival and space.

Who are Nagas? If it is the name given to a group of tribes who have some similarity in their structure, culture, eating habit who used little cloth or even no cloth earlier, then it was the case with other so-called non-Nagas because cloth was invented must latter in human civilisation. Otherwise, since everybody is born 'Nanga' (naked), all can be termed as Naga. My point is that what is significance in the name of a community. This is only a classification of a group of people based on some parameter.

The so-called Nagas have no link language. Even Tangkhuls of different villages cannot understand the difficult of other Tangkhul village. Nagas of Manipur as well as other ethnic groups of Manipur used 'Manipuri' language as their link language. Linguistically, historically, genetically the so-called Nagas of Manipur can be classified with the so-called Meetei/Meitei.

Likewise, all communities living in Manipur can be classified/grouped with each other on some basis on the other. I use the phrase "so-called Meetei/Meitei" because there was no Meetei/Meitei earlier. Because Meetei/Meitei are groups of tribes/people who were all tribals from the hill and settled in the valley.

The Meetei/Meitei tribe includes among others
1) Mangang
2) Luwang
3) Khuman
4) Moirang
5) Angom
6) Chenglei
7) Kha-nganba
8) some tribes from the hills (Nagas & Kukis included)
9) some outsiders (Mayang & Bishnupriyas).

I don't think all Nagas of Manipur want to part off from Manipur because of a number of factors. Only very few of them (read Muivah's follower) want to part off from Manipur rather with non-Nagas particularly Meeteis. The reason among others are-
1) Manipur kings subjugated them.
2) Meetei treated them as the untouchables
3) Meetei look down them and cheated them.
4) Govt. did not take up any development work in the hill.
5) Nagas want Nagaland for Christ

It is known fact that Muivah doctrinated his cadres, his frontal organisation like UNC, ANSAM, NSF, NAGA HOHO etc and Naga people with the above venumous teaching of 'Hate' against Meetei.

But the fact that Manipur kings subjugated more to Meetei than other hill tribes. They even snatched wife of others over and above various other imposition like free labour, free military service and various other taxes in the form of "Loipot" to Meeteis. Of course after imposing Vaishnavism to Meeteis by the king, the practice of untouchability came into picture. That is the turning point of Hill and Valley divide. But the untouchability was practiced by a few elite group like RK's, the so- called Brahmins and some of their followers. Majority of the valley people maintained cordial relationship with Hill people.

Now, with present generation coming, the term untouchability is nowhere. Even some Brahmin boys get married with the girls from hill and vice-versa not to mention about other Meetei and hill people who have been practising inter marriages since ages. One of the most important reason of Hill - valley divide (rather Meetei-Naga divide) might be religious difference.

If I am not misinformed, in earlier time, when hill people did not follow and religion, they wanted to become Vaishnavite, but the power that be at that time did not allow them to do so. Some of them even wanted to become Meetei but king did not allow them although some of them got the favour of the king and became Meetei. Vaishnavism was imposed to Meeteis by the then Manipur Kings. Likewise if Vaishnavism was imposed to the hill people, then the present problem of 'Lim' issue might not have happened. This we can say, the root cause of today's "Lim issue".

'What has happened', has happened. Nothing can change this historical events. But for the sake of our own survival, what shall we do now? What is the solution to this 'Lim' issue? It seems that to Muiva and his followers the solution lies with the breaking of Manipur –– may be greater Nagaland or South Nagaland with or without independence.

But to Manipur Govt. rather Meeteis, the integrity of Manipur is unbreakable, the unquestionable and non-negotiable. Rather Meeteis will die fighting to protect their historical boundaries which their forefather had drown more than 2000 years ago.

Then it is quite natural for the two opposing parties (read Muivahs party & Meetei) to collide each other sooner than latter if they stick to their positions/points and if there is no give and take between them. In the event of communal clashes between the two brothers (Meetei & Nagas), the very existence of these two brother is at stake. Then what can be the honourable solution?

Nagas (read Muivahs & his followers) may say that the present 'Lim' issue is due to Meetei's chauvinist attitude. Meetei may say it is due to some narrow minded Nagas' expansionist attitude Nagas' more than 60 years struggle with loss of thousands of life indicates that they may not called it a day so easily and so suddenly. That means 'Lim' issue is bound to be there for a longer period. Muivah now about 74 years wants an honourable solution during his life time.

Naga sovereignty issue seems to be as good as dead now. Then what is the foreseeable solution. Greater Nagaland with Muivah as Chief Minister or south Nagaland with Muivah as Chief Minister. In this proposition, will the other group (read NSCN-K) will agree" or will the Govt. of Manipur for that matter majority Meetei will be a silent spectator. I think they will not come to Muivah's terms so easily. Then what about the following options––

1) Muivah as Chief Minister (chief may change to prime) of Nagaland with lot of money from the centre for development of Nagaland.
2) Muivah as Chief Minister of Manipur (he may change the name of Manipur as Maninagapur or Nagamanipur). In such a situation, I hope people of Manipur will forgive Muivah for his misdeed.
3) Whole Manipur can join Nagaland rather other non-Nagas of Manipur can become Naga and enjoy the fruit of being a Naga (tribe) together.
4) We may think of a combined identity for main communities living in the state like "Nameeki" (Na-Naga, mee-Meetei, Ki-Kuki, all the other ethnic groups included) and live together as a nation.

There is a big question mark on the capability and sincerity of the Govt. of Manipur to protect the territorial integrity as well as emotional integrity of Manipur. Hill brother may say that Govt. of Manipur is valley centric and they have done precious little to uplift the poor, downtrodden, innocent hill people. Here it may be remembered that if all the fund meant for the upliftment of hill people has been utilised properly (even upto 70% of it), there would have been a sea-change to the living condition of the hill people.

Then who siphoned off this fund? Mostly by hill based underground organisations (NSCN included) who used to have percentage cut from all the development funds and also by the so-called leader of the hill who are enjoying their life other agenda as well. They never want their people to get fruit of development because if hill people become well informed and wise they cannot be led anywhere as they (UG & Hill leaders) wish and they cannot be influenced by their propaganda so easily.

To bring emotional integrity, Govt. should be sincere enough and there should be real governance in the hill. UG's diktats should not be allowed any more. The disturbance/obstruction offered by these anti-socials to the development of hill should be dealt firmly with iron hand and fruit of development should reach the hill at any cost. Then emotional integrity will be there and then teritorial integrity will follow naturally.

For this Muivah's followers (read cadres of NSCN-IM and its frontal organisations) and other UG groups should be dealt firmly by sending well trained and well equipped arm personnel to all hill districts in good numbers so that any nefarious design of Muivah & his party can be thwarted timely and show to the world that there is only one Govt. in Manipur, the "Govt of Manipur".