TODAY -
Perpetuating ethnic dilemma in Manipur
The Statesman | h kham khan suan | 11 September 2011
A SERIES of recent mobilisations in Manipur for separate districts, namely Sadar Hills, Phungyar, Jiribam and Tengnoupal, to be carved from Senapati, Ukhrul, West Imphal and Chandel, respectively, could probably open up new ethnic faultlines. Protagonists flaunt the “locals know their local interests best” line to argue that a reorganisation of the state’s districts is imperative for administrative efficiency, development, equity and justice. But the counter-movements indicate the desired objective may not be that easily achieved.
A pointer to this is that the demand for Phungyar district, spearheaded by Wungnaoshang Keishing, a legislator from that Assembly constituency who claims the support of some Tangkhul leaders, faces stiff opposition from principal Tangkhul organisations and the United Naga Council ~ the apex Naga organisation in Manipur. In the bargain, Keishing almost lost his life in an ambush in mid-April.
His only fault was that he raised this bogey to project himself as a champion of his constituency’s cause in the run-up to the February 2012 assembly elections. However, his demand raises a valid subsidiary principle that has been compromised for all these years. Considering the merits of his demand and his attempted use of this as a lever to bring about more meaningful autonomy for the Tangkhuls, it was simply seen to go against the “alternative arrangement” that the UNC is negotiating with the Centre and the state government.
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* H/T to ninglun for sending this link. This Post is uploaded on September 13, 2011
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