No to divisive politics, respect individual rights

Suanmang Tungnung *

With the 2022 Manipur Assembly election closing in, preparations both at the Government level as well as candidates in the entire State have been in full swing. It is a known fact that there are areas of confrontation and friction. Election times mean some violence. Incidences of both minor and major proportions are reported from all over the State.

Propagandas, rumours, allegations, and what nots fly thick and fast. In the age of internet and smartphones, propagandas and allegations spread faster. Sometimes, propaganda itself becomes the spark that ignites the violence. To ascertain facts over botched up narratives and propaganda is a task left to ‘neutral’ observers.

While the nature of poll related incidents is almost the same all over the State, the intensity and after-effects in the hill areas seem different. The divides appear more bitter and dangerous and the consequences more detrimental. The direct or indirect involvement of armed militant groups – particularly those in Suspension of Operation pact with the Government–perhaps heightens the sense of mistrust, rivalry, deprivation, and anger. The case of 60-Singnat (ST) AC in Churachandpur evokes interest.

Since day one of submission of nominations, a certain Suspension of Operation (SoO) armed group supporting a particular candidate became a trend in social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.

Following this was alleged threats, intimidation, and violent attacks leading to loss of properties. The supporters and workers of the candidate sponsored by the newly floated Kuki People’s Alliance faced threats from the armed group.

In the broad daylight of the 12th of February, cadres of an armed group entered the residence of a supporter of the KPA candidate at Singnat village, and allegedly threatened him of dire consequences. The incident reportedly took place in front of all members of his family including wife and small children. The group of around 10 armed men was led by prominent and self-styled high-ranking leaders of the organisation. Following the incident, the Paite Tribe Council (PTC) issued a condemnation letter on the same day.

February 16th slew of events, including violent ones unfolded. It was quite obvious that claims and counter claims from two sides dominate social media spaces. The incident began when some people suspected to be volunteers of a rival candidate tried to stop a public meeting of the KPA candidate at Singngat and tried to set the hall on fire. The attempt was thwarted by workers of the KPA candidate though.

A violent confrontation ensued. An individual from the village who allegedly colluded with the attackers was thrashed by the angry mob. He suffered minor injuries. Meantime, suspected cadres of the armed group – who were reportedly inciting the violence – made a hasty retreat and opened barrages of shots. Fortunately, no casualty has been reported from the indiscriminate firing.

Spent cartridges as well as diesel filled in water bottles and rags to ignite the fire were recovered from the nearby area. The same were kept in police custody. In all these, the police as well as the Assam Rifles (AR) became mere spectators of the drama unfolding before their nose while unarmed civilians were made to fend for themselves against armed militants.

A short video clip of the incident showing the police and the Assam Rifles personnel doing nothing to quell the event was also widely circulated in social media. The whole episode was quickly twisted by the propaganda wing of the armed group and the whole narrative was changed to suit their parochial agenda. They spread canards in such a way to give the incident a communal colour as if they are trying to pit one community against the other.

However, they failed to polarize the voters or people on narrow communal line. While it is true that we are in the era of information and narratives can differ according to one’s predisposition, fact supported by evidences cannot be written off. A number of clarifications and condemnations have also surfaced from different organisations of the Zou Community including the Zou Women Human Rights Organisation (ZOWHRO) who presented the fact as it happened.

The Kuki Peoples Alliance (KPA) on the other hand is a new party which debuted this time with two candidates–Chinlunthang of 60-Singnat AC and Kimneo Hangshing of 46-Saikul AC. For the Kuki-Zomi group of people in Manipur, KPA is a movement towards their shared political goal and aspiration. Although it carries the name Kuki, its true objective encompasses the broader spectrum of tribe not only confined to the present-day definition of the Kuki people. Although adamantly opposed by some, it still is viewed and accepted by the majority as all-encompassing.

Incidents involving violence such as the Singngat incident can be viewed as the culmination of fear, insecurity and lack of confidence of the candidate sponsored by an armed militant group. In fact, this armed group (who antagonizes the KPA candidate) fails to learn that they no longer enjoy the support and confidence of the Zou community as they did before. The Zou community has endured many hardships and now they realize that they cannot be subjugated by force or arms.

That, years and years of over-exertion of power towards a particular community has only begot the spirit of resistance in the subjugated people. This is also a clear indication of the end of an era when might was right and power was in the muzzle of the gun. We are now in a time when respect is earned but not commanded or demanded. Both this militant group and the candidate they supported should know that the more they exert force; they are chasing away the people.

Some groups have unflinchingly projected the Kukis as enemies of the Zomis. Fact corroborated by senior leaders of the group themselves said that they had signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) under the umbrella term “Two Kuki Armed Groups”, meaning they are technically and legally Kuki as far as the Government record is concerned.

This pharisaic attitude and pretension by this armed group to disown and antagonise the Kuki on the one hand and their acceptance of the term Kuki when it comes to enjoying benefits and serve their vested interest on the other hand is hard to comprehend, to say the least.

The fact of the matter is that no matter how much hatred has been propagated, we are still one and the same and therefore propagating hatred and enmity is and, will have adverse effect in the long run. The crux of the matter is not to polarize people when elections come. Elections come and go, but ensuring that it does not left indelible scar should be the core objective instead of playing communal card.

The objective should rather be strengthening and enhancing the foundation of the unity and the social fabric that binds the people. Most importantly, we have to reinforce the democratic principles of our country during elections by respecting the rights of all individuals.