Stake Holders at Mao Gate

Robert Lanky *

Since first week of May 2010, two insurgency ridden states are on loggerhead at Mao Gate, bordering Nagaland and Manipur. For me the present crises is because of mode of conveyance for General Secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Thuingaleng Muivah for visiting his birth place Somdal in Manipur.

Government of India has not only sanctioned his visit to Manipur but also offered to provide him helicopter (as per sources at MHA) and all security befitting his status of a prominent personality who is got 'Z' plus security while in India. It is learnt that Thuingaleng Muivah had refused the offer and insisted on road movement which triggered economic crisis in Manipur and resulted in deaths of two and injury to many in Nagaland.

After going through the sequence of actions in chronological order and stories carried out by various Regional and National, Print and Electronic Media both , I tried to find out the 'stake holders' and their interests after the incident at Mao Gate. The retrospection have brought me to the conclusion that stake holders are :-

* Thuingaleng Muivah representing Thangkul Nagas of Manipur.
* Manipur Government under O Ibobi Singh and Nagaland Govt under Nephu Rio.
* Ministry of Home affairs (Govt of India) representing people of states and country.
* Above all the main stake holders are people of Manipur and Nagas of Manipur.

Muivah's Stake. Muivah who had left his village 40 years back had come to Delhi in the month of Feb 2010 to negotiate with GoI. After first round of talk, he landed up in Nagaland and stayed at Hebron Camp and had been busy in analyzing the situation. If one goes to recall the incidents which had happened in last two three years with NSCN (IM), shows that NSCN (IM) been losing the grips over it's cadres.

For example- killing of SDO Khullen by it's one of the battalion commanders who was later handed over (SS Lt Col) to CBI for trial became an embrassment for NSCN (IM). Incident at Siruhi where NSCN (IM) was trying to establish a camp and Assam 6Rifle had seized Siruhi for 17 days. After intervention of GoI and Cease Fire Monitoring Group cadres were evicted and safe passage was given.

The biggest setback was in 2007; Sema cadres defecting from NSCN (IM) to create a new organization NSCN (U) and later merging with NSCN (K). All these incidents portrayed Muivah in a poor light. To avail the opportunity while negotiating with GoI he planned to make his presence felt and also to gain support of the people from Naga inhabited districts of Manipur.

He also wanted his visit to be publicized for political gain over Manipur since, O Ibobi Singh was in process to conduct Manipur Hill District Council Elections and establish an administration by democratically elected people for development. Analysts say that; it was not suddenly that Muivah has developed forgotten love and affection to his village and villagers after long 40 years. Muivah had already visualized the situation and had chalked out the strategy when he went on second round of negotiation with MHA. It was calculated and projected, hyped visit to regain diminishing support and also to revive the cause of "Greater Nagalim".

Stake of Manipur Govt under O Ibobi Singh. To uphold the integrity of Manipur Congress led govt under the leadership of O Ibobi Singh has blamed Muivah and potrayed him as master mind for the Massacre of Kukis in 1993-1994 during Naga-Kuki clash. Criminal cases still pending against him. Another point of contention was that Manipur will not permit him to come with hidden agenda (to include Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel) in the proposal given by NSCN (IM) to govt of India.

Another important stake by state govt is that MHA has not consulted Manipur govt on the proposed visit of Muivah. Analysts say–O Ibobi has been labeled as failed CM and Manipur under his leadership as 'failed state'. To score a point he had opposed this move to stop Muivah. But, there are other opinions also: Any political dignitaries, controversial personalities or person given 'Z plus' categories are visiting any other state then it is the responsibility of the MHA to review the situation of place/ state in conjunction with the State govt being visited.

In one way O Ibobi Singh was right. When self trying to analyse the situation while talking to few Meitei community youths at Imphal- the resentment was clearly visible. Their apprehension was that, how come suddenly Muivah has developed love and affection after 40 years with his birth place? Also, Muivah's presence in Nagaland has created all the problems for Manipuris and Nagas staying in Manipur as well.

Stake of GoI (MHA). Ministry of Home Affairs (GoI) is engaged in negotiation with NSCN (IM) since long. In the region Media of North East have been criticizing MHA for it's lackadaisical approach to the problems of extortion, kidnapping and ransom prevalent in Manipur and Nagaland.

Notwithstanding to the remarks by Media and critics, In a survey recently carried out by NDTV and Aaj-Tak people have voted Mr Chidambaram as a good Home Minister at the centre with 61% of vote. But, in the Mao Gate incident, the situation defies that confidence shown by the public about the Home Minister.

Firstly it has given the go ahead for visit of Muivah without consulting Manipur Government and then not addressing the statement for now over two weeks. Situation created at the bordering place (Mao Gate) between Manipur and Nagaland considered presently as: container filled with enough inflammable materials which requires small spark to ignite the fire around the 'Green Hills of Nagaland and Manipur' both.

Muivah and O Ibobi Singh are sitting on the fence with their adamant attitude. Interlocutor for ongoing peace talk with NSCN (IM) Mr R S Pandey and Home Secy Mr G K Pillai also could not bring the situation to the desired level of peaceful atmosphere for negotiation. Muivah still sitting at Vishewema and in Manipur life has been paralyzed. Centre has to resolve the issue as no one else is willing to back out.

Stake of People of Manipur & Nagas in Manipur. The stalemate at Mao Gate has brought the situation in Manipur at 'Stand Still'. Life of Manipur is totally at the stake'. Media has been reporting regularly about:
* Petrol being rationed and sold at Rs 150/- ltr.
* Gas Cylinder @ 1500 Rs.
* Oxygen Cylinders in Hospitals have exhausted.
* Life saving drugs extremely in short supply.
* Essential house hold items are sold @ three times higher than normal rates.
* Common public is the one which is feeling the heat.
* It's not only Manipuris but Nagas of Chandel, Tamenglong Ukhrul and Senapati are also suffering to the great extent.
* Looting of supplies from trucks at Yaripoke, which reached few days back through Mizoram, could be because of the ultimate shortage of essential commodities.

After going through various reports, surveys and having spoken to the people of Manipur I (any one) could say that, "stake holder at Mao Gate could be many but it's the people and humanity in both the states are at great risk and their everything is at stake. Hardship faced by the people of the Manipur is clearly visible with the women protesting peacefully and sign boards are witness to everyone.

Recently United Council of Manipur for peace and Naga organization too had some stake to create an atmosphere for talks but seems to be of no avail. The situation is, as one scholar brought out that, "idea of Manipuris vis-à-vis Nagas depends on antagonistic politics in which success of one will destroy the other". What is required by the main player of the crisis or the stake holders to shed off their adamant attitude defuse the tension on the name of humanity and open the blockade.

At the same time GoI (MHA) should issue a simple statement that 'Integrity of Manipur' will be protected and visit of Muivah to his village Somdal will be organized by MHA after due consultation with Manipur government at later stage. MHA should defer from policy of appeasement and should only think in saving lives of human being and humanity both.

The situation requires immediate attention by GoI as there are conflicting reports that hundreds of cadres from Hebron camps have already concentrated in and around Mao Gate and across the Mao Gate Meitei insurgents of PLA and UNLF are also trying to gather in that area. If that happens, then tension instead of getting defused will increase its level.

Both state governments should also try to find out the via media for acceptable solution to both sides. The tragedy cannot be reversed but definitely efforts must be made to avert further tragedies. A way out must be found to defuse the dangerous stalemate without humiliating any of the parties. But for this to work, all parties concerned must be ready to climb down a little.

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