Letter to the NSF through the media
- Singjamei Political Forum, Manipur -
19 June, Imphal, Manipur
To
The Naga Students Federation
Kohima, Nagaland
Sir,
I am constrained to say that is it with a sense of great indignation that the news of "temporary" suspension of your economic blockade against Manipur is received, your proclaimed stand even after suspension - not lifting - smacks of belligerence and plain ignorance of civility.
The people who do not subscribe to your world-view have been observing your move with the expectation that you would come to your senses after meeting the Prime Minister, who would have advised you to withdraw the blockade which has no sane reason.
It is understood that the PM would have understood the sensitivity of the issue (read your senses) and would have assured you that he had noted your points of view. But I believe, at no point of time you had ever apprised the PM of your stand which are reported in the media during the meeting. Because your stand or threat to discipline an elected government and the demands like withdrawal of government forces from "Naga areas" etc. are just not presentable to a democratic head of the state, leave aside considerations. You must not forget that you are a student body. You are not an underground outfit who may demand the Moon and the sun.
Stopping you from going to a particular direction or to a particular point by the police or security forces, who are given a specific duty at a point of time should be understandable even to a school-boy or a school-girl.
And to demand withdrawal of security forces from residential areas is legitimate, because it is everybody's experience that their presence in residential areas only creates problems; and the whole world would agree with you.
But telling to withdraw the forces of the government from "Naga areas" sounds like a cry for independence from a colonial power, by an independence movement army. But how do you understand and define a Naga area, a Kuki area, a Metei area and so on? There may be area or areas inhabited by a community who is majority in that particular area or areas, and that do not mean that the area belongs to the majority community, like in medieval tribal age, which I believe you are not in.
And let me put a simple question to you question how do you understand and define a people; a community, a nationality; a state ; and a nation?
It is quite understandable that you were angry for being stopped by the Police Commandos. But how can you be angry for so many days and weeks. And if you would have apprised the PM who had impressed you, of your demands or threat he would have immediately shown you what a civilized world is about in just 5-6 minutes. But I am afraid you have missed the opportunity; but do not worry, there may be a next time because the world is not going to end.
You should never forget that you are learning to become civilized human being, which should have been taught continuously in the family, in the society, in the church and in schools and colleges, etc. Let us also remember that nobody is at war, where the victor takes all and the vanquished lose everything. Or maybe there may be a violent clash of the contending groups, which may better be called as a violent manifestation of tribalism or tribal instincts, where men, women and children who cannot defend themselves got killed. Oh, what a shame even to talk of it ! we claim unique history or history. But tribalism is a pre-historic phenomenon, and if we want to create history we must come out of it.
And one last thing, you all must be grateful to the Manipur government for giving you the golden opportunity to show your valour which has even been noticed by the European parliament.
And now that you have proved your point and therefore, it is time for you to prove that you are a cultured and literate student body for whom your state would be proud of, by behaving in a sensible and civilized manner. And the best way to do is just say 'Sorry' to the people of Manipur for causing the hardships. And the people of Manipur would say, 'forgive and forget, but no mixed-up and not again'.
With regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Leishangthem Dijen
Convenor,
Singjamei Political Forum, Manipur.
Copy to :
All Nagaland and Manipur based Newspaper with request to publish in their esteem paper for information of NSF and the general public.
Copy with regards also to :
Dr. Manmohan Singh, The Hon'ble Prime Minister
Shri P Chidambaram, The Hon'ble Home Minister
Smt. Sushma Swaraj, The Hon'ble Leader of Opposition
This information is sent to e-pao.net by Nabashyam Heigrujam. The sender can be contacted at nheikrujua(at)gmail(dot)com
This PR was webcasted on June 19 2010.
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