Response to Naga youth front

Santosh Angomcha *

The call of National Highway Blockade so frequently is a direct challenge to the 25 lacs people of Manipur and a direct insult to the Government of India in particular and citizens of India in general which boasts to be the greatest democracy of the World. They may say the blockade is against the Government of Manipur but it is against Humanity. Such is the practice which is not heard anywhere in the world. These people goes to the house of worship only to wash their blood stained hands.

The wild allegation levelled by NYF to the valley people of Manipur is quiet unfounded, concocted and baseless. The Naga Youth Front, which is not heard before, sprung up like the fire brigade with poor equipments to douse the fire sparked off in the wake of misdeeds perpetuated by ANSAM and UNC where Naga name had been collaborated unnecessarily.

The so called NYF is not aware of the facts and figures of the present day Manipur. Had it been an organization whose area of operation was in Manipur and little care of the existing rules, they should have well understood the rule of business of the Manipur State Assembly. The very Autonomous District Council Act 1971 was enacted by the Indian Parliament and accordingly rules were framed in the year of 1972 to suit the needs.

In the rule of procedure of Manipur Assembly the valley people or the State Government and its Assembly has nothing to do with the hill related matter. Manipur Government cannot take up any decision without the recommendation/consent of the HILL AREAS COMMITTEE which is formed by the elected members of the Hill Tribal People. The short above paragraph is enough to enlighten the NYF.

We are so sorry that NYF had consistently spoiling precious pages of Newspapers by writing baseless information only to quench their immediate thirst that is hurting the valley people. The NYF may also cite another worthless defense against this Statement that 7 MLAs have tendered their resignation in protest against the ADC election.

But one should not lose sight that they are the same MLAs who have recommended and insisted the Government to pursue the Election process by signing in black and white earlier. The 7 MLAs should be true parliamentarian acknowledging the ethics that Assembly is not a fish market where anybody can lash out whatever comes to their cheating tongue. Now even if the 7 MLAs are against the ADC Election, 13 hills tribal are voting in favour of the ADC election in the 20 members Hill Area Committee body. Therefore, conduct of election is democratically granted.

No doubt 20 precious years had gone down the history without a single election, depriving the democratic right of the people in the Hills for so long. The fact is that the very Hill Areas Committee which is the sole authority to initiate the process was not in favour of the election for so long due to many factors. Had the State Government been empowered to conduct the election at its own wish at any point of time, the 20 long years would not have wasted.

This is sufficient reason as to why the ADC election was not conducted for so long. (Matters concerning to the 6th schedule let the Indian Parliament decide of their future course of action). But after a threadbare discussion among the hill's people including the 7 MLAS who have been selected to represent in the Manipur Assembly under the merciful umbrella of NSCN IM, they have unanimously given their full consent in conducting the election, thus the August Manipur Assembly passed an amendment bill in 2008 so as to fulfill the aspiration of the people as proposed by the Hill Area Committee members.

The ADC election felt to be an urgent matter in nature for the tribal people that one Manipur Indigenous Democratic Forum, a strong tribal forum called a State wide Bandh in Manipur earlier alleging the Government for delaying the process of ADC election.

I hope the NYF had not been to North Pole when the lengthy process of the election was being taken up. The District Council Amendment bill 2008 was lying on the table of the members and Chairmen of the Hill Area Committee more than a year. After digesting every coma, semicolon and full stops of the bill the Committee members recommended and endorsed. Why NYF suddenly blaming the valley people and Government? Do you think that Indian citizens and International Communities would subscribe to the cheap propaganda of NYF? Please don't try to confuse the public and stop acting as if the NYF is the overall representative of the Nagas in Manipur.

Regarding the so called home coming of Muivah to attend the fasting revival program was nothing but instigation of greater Nagalim. NYF should not ignore the itineraries/tour program of Muivah to highlight in the newspaper. Have you seen the tour programs by yourself? The series of public meeting were included in the itinerary. How we can simply view it as a mere home coming.

After all the Manipur Government had not done wrong because the Government has every right to protect its territory irrespective of Hills and Valley. As a matter of fact Muivah is not Christian spiritual peace missionary. The purpose of his home coming is known to all and his hidden agenda had been spilled off in the National Medias and International Medias many times.

Regarding the wanted declaration by Manipur Home Department on the head of the two persons of ANSAM and UNC who have been blocking the lifeline of Manipur, the law of the land has reply to it. The verdict was passed by none other than the Honorable High Court. NYF should swallow the fact that the High Court passed a judgment considering the perennial suffer and woes of the masses in Manipur and in response of one PIL lodged by an individual.

Manipur Government is acting only on the basis of the High Court Order. In fact the Manipur Government made its best effort to deal the issue leniently rather softly on the prevailing situation. The excesses of the Commandoes and IRBs are not a new experience in Valley. During the fierce gun shots even the stray dogs dare to tread out of their homestead in the valley.

When it comes to dealing law and order problem the Commandoes and IRBs treat everyone equally but nothing this appreciates their deeds. The forces that earned enough notoriety have been formed by tribal, Pangals and Meiteis etc. Please keep it in mind this is not only the Meitei people. The people of Manipur together have the sole right to streamline any force in Manipur to make them more human in future.

The step of the Government is appreciable in one side. Though it is the will and wishes of the 25 lacs starving people who fervently pray to take up stern legal against the ANSAM and UNC still the Government is still soft, using its good offices of the Deputy Commissioner Senapati district by sending invitation to ANSAM and UNC so that they could come to the negotiating table thereby short out the issues.

Just to put the record straight the Government has nothing to do with Court verdict. NYF should give more time in consulting some extra law books since the ongoing issue doesn't confine within the parameter of some power monger groups. Keeping in view of the standing Orders of the Honourable Supreme Court, the highest law House of the country, it has come down heavily on any group/party indulging in Blockade and Bandhs and declared them as anti socials. So NYF please put all your heads together and advice your ANSAM and UNC to go and plead to the court instead of blaming the valley people and Govt of Manipur.

Regarding the alleged quit notice issued to the non-Manipuris by some groups, the move has nothing to do with the ordinary people in Manipur and Government as well to the best knowledge of the common people.

While we appreciate any academic discussion with facts and figures however we don't want to further 'spat a spat' without documentary evidence and historical facts.