Rejoinder to "Weakness of NSCN's Demand for Nagalim"
(Chronological but Obsessive)

R Rungsung *

The lenghty writeup of Dr. Khomdon Singh Lisam in your daily is chronologically good that reminiscences us and yet the comments are impulsive and politically not rational. Among the many contentions (including Jammu and Kashmir), I just want to give my personal views on three counts; viz:
1. Coverage of Maharaja Kingdom of Manipur,
2. Influence of Christianity and
3. Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

These are honest expressions and not to be taken otherwise.

1. Coverage of Maharaja kingdom of Manipur claimed by him was/is false and absurd on the grounds that are simply evidenced by two following documents. They are:
(a) Even in 1950, there had been no permanent settlement at Khuga valley, Kanglatongbi and Keithelmanbi areas that said: "If properly checked there will be hundreds of immigrants in the Khuga valley, as well as in Kanglatongbi and Keithelmanbi areas.

In 1946 alone, when the Khuga valley was opened for settlement, there was a case in which about 145 families of immigrants from Lushai Hills (now Mizoram) and Chin hills at Khuga valley. I have personally seen and checked it,'' .. vide memo no. 178/East. Orgl. dated Ukhrul, the 18th May, 1950, Sd. O. Kathipri, S.D.O. Ukhrul addressed to - The Deputy Commissioner, Manipur.

(b) Office of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Ukhrul, Memo No. 801/East T/V1, dated Ukhrul, the 2nd Augt. 1951, to the Deputy Commissioner of Manipur - Subject: Tenancy Legislation in Manipur. Ref. My Memo No. 668/East T/V1 dated 18-7-1951 in connection with No. R/101/50/16 of 26-6-51 sent under your office Memo No. P/1/17/51/4649 of 16-7-1951 stated:
"I beg to state that there is no Tenancy system as there are no Zamindars in this part of the hills and also in other hill areas of Manipur. Each and every village has its own land management system according to their customs". Sd. T.C. Tiankham, S.D.O, Ukhrul dated 1/8/51.

There are more to prove but these two will suffice. Valley is valley and hills are hills. There was no documents on record that the Maharaja of Manipur extended suzerainty and ruled in the hills areas. No question of subjugation arises. The tall claim ends there.

2. Influence of Christianity by foreign missionaries.

(a) The allegation of bringing Christianity in our land as harmful and causing division among us is flimsy and ridiculous. The totally ignored and neglected hill tribes of Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur opened doors to outside world by the zeal and sincere efforts brought and made by the dedicated and selfless foreign missionaries who encountered all hardships of their lives to enlighten us. A good blessing indeed. If disagree, please abolish all English Schools in Imphal tomorrow. Can you? Then why point accusing finger to missionaries and Western civilisation (development, technology, democracy, etc.)?

(b) Alleging, "Nagalim for Christ" is like living in a dark room. "Vivekananda does make it clear that he is unhappy with caste as he finds it around him because it is rigid, makes man's slave of society and obstruct any kind of social progress". (R.W. Scott).

In Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939), Dr. S. Radhakrishna says: "The caste system is a degeneration of class idea. It does not admit that the individual has the right to determine his future course... and pursue his interests. The right of every human soul to enter into the full spiritual heritage of the race must be recognised. Caste is a sort of discord and mischief, and if it persists in its present form, it will affect with weakness and falsehood the people that cling to it".

(c) To quote Justo Gonzales: "The West in general considered that God had placed the benefits of Western civilization and the Christian faith in the hands of the white people - both Europeans and North Americans, so that they could share them with the rest of the world. That responsibility was "the white man's burden", to take to the rest of the world the benefits of industrialization, capitalism, democracy and Christianity".

(d) "In the context of the Kingdom Jesus announced was good news primarily to the poor. In fact he relativised God in terms of the neighbours. While he identified himself with the poor and the outcaste, he at the same time challenged whatever was dehumanising in the society of his time". (Jacob Kavumhal).

The total transformation of the society was through the acceptance of God as the intimate parent and all human beings as brothers and sisters. This state of affairs Jesus described as Kingdom of God. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ Jesus. Therefore, be reconciled to one another (2nd. Corinth. 5:17-19). In other words, since God has turned to human beings in Christ Jesus, human beings must turn to one another, and together turn to the one common God. (Idols are not God).

(e) Against the Art. 18 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the U.N.O. in 1948, The Freedom of Religion Acts was passed by the Governments of Madhya Pradesh (1968), Orissa (1968 and 1978) and Arunachal Pradesh (1978) prohibiting holding of Christian meetings. So is happening in Imphal sometimes.

3. Obsessive - Compulsive disorder.

a. At this present juncture, crisis in Manipur, not only the issue of Th. Muivah coming to Manipur but ot-her issues since last many years have been blowing hot and cold swaying here and there. Suspicions, mistrust, apprehension are running deep in the minds of valley people who have been in the chair of ruling class, making and creating valley shining at the expenses of the hill people. No matter how far such practise will go on.

b. He degradingly marginalised Nagas' areas as barren devoid of mineral resources and land-locked, etc. while no mention was made about Imphal valley. Such furtive statements are quite against human nature of reality. Concealing my shortages and limitations (e.g. Imphal is crying against the economic blockade) and accusing others as false is an act of stark stupidity. Reality has its meaningful roots. Mineral roots in hill areas are aplenty. We need not discuss about it this time. Knowing all the facts and pretending not to know how manipulation and discrimination against hill men are going on in the hub of power that be, others have the rights to go their own chosen ways.

c. Let us together consider other civilised small-small (very small) independent nations around the world in order to open our very narrow minded eyes. They are: (1) Monaco - 1.95 sq.km. - population 50,000 and Andorra - 455 sq.km. area - population 63,000 attached to France. (2) Sanda Marino 81.19 sq.km area - population 24,000 within Italy. (3) Lesotho - 3.025 sq.km. area - population 2,300,000; and Swaziland 17,360 sq.km area - population 1,000,000 within the state of South Africa.

All of them are living peacefully and independently.

Why obsessive compulsive disorder in Imphal? "All men love peace but few love those things which make for peace". (Thomas A. Kempis). Cloudy mind usually does not know the way to peace.

d. Unable to stand alone hectic campaigns outside the state have pulled in two main national parties. One, Hindutva, the all mighty power wielding party in Bharatvarsia as the chosen deity of India, and consequently have met the Home Minister. Two, the non-believers in the living God, the atheistic party have promised to launch nationwide drive to derail the peace-talk of Indo-Naga just to save their party interest in Manipur. As such, reading the prevailing political development in Manipur, viable solution to the integration versus territory integrity is far-fetched. Will there be showdown? Your good guess. No turning back but to go on till the end of the road.

e. Finding another alternative Highway or road is a matter of deep concern that will ultimately lead to: one, more financial constraint that will directly affect both the Government and the people. Two, the clear sign of confrontation instead of meeting at a round table conference for talk. In this very context who to blame to whom?

Shall we blame it on Muivah or Ibobi or New Delhi? In this very nature of politics, as for me and so far I know, to come or not to come of Th. Muivah to Manipur is one thing but the issue of one Homeland under one roof remains the same throughout as territory integrity of Manipur remains the same. Sweet words are no magic wands. Is the final line drawn this time?

f. Let us think over the past significant political changes as: one, USSR became fifteen independent states; two, Czechoslovakia became two = Czech Republic and Slovakia; three, Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia etc. were created from a single state. So on in India also. So why Meiteis are crying out of proportion. Please digest for the good of all. The need of the hour is understanding and peace.