The Survival and Prosperity of the North-Easterners
in the 21st century: a comparative study
- Part 1 -

By Puyam Rakesh Meetei *

OUR FAMILY DISCOURSE:

The institution of Naga Hoho is very symbolic as far as the representation of the unrepresented or under represented peoples in the world is concerned. There may be many examples of such body in the world.

However, being a N-Easterner, I prefer to use this body as a point of reference. This body represents all the known/or almost all the known Naga tribes on the earth. It is the highest body of the Nagas taking major decisions and reforms in their society.

The problem of 'factionalism' is besetting almost all the major groups operating in the N-E despite strong pleas made by the general populace to stop the in-fightings. The latest victims are the Kukis, Meeteis and Nagas.

The coming of the NSCN(IM) leaderships to India on being invited by the GOI to resolve the decades-old Naga insurgency in the region had a very unwanted ending with internal blickerings taking its toll among the Nagas.

The unification move in Dimapur and its unsuccessful attempt gave birth to a new NSCN(U) in the fighting scenes of Nagaland in addition to NSCN(K). Was it a creation of the Indian Intelligence Agency to disrupt or weaken the mother of all insurgencies in the North-East is a one's own choice?

This problem is again one of the most crucial issue in the Kuki(?) society. There contestations among different groups/parties fighting for autonomous states or special constitutional recognition or even a separate Ze'lengam (Zo land) by integrating all the kuki-chin inhabited region.

Some groups are condemned to be working as henchmen of the anti-Manipur agents who are based in Myanmar while some have strong fraternal relationship with the Mizo,Zomi/Paite, Hmar and Chins in Myanmar. There political and solidarity movement have reached the UNPO and other International indigenous Conferences.

The Kukis are scattered very far and wide in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Myanmar, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura. There political movement dates back to pre-colonial time which was marked by tribal warfare and controlling of land in the hills against the hostile tribes.

Among all these happenings in N-E in general and Manipur in particular, the Meeteis in Manipur have to make a very pleasant move in tune with the changing national and international political situations. We have a big responsibility to play in this region, not necessarily as a big brother in order to change the things in proper course.

We, the Meeteis need to gain enough confidence of the neighbouring ethnic groups in the region to work in unision for a grand design to bring greater prosperity and development in the N-E. The available resources in the region need to be well exploited for the benefit of the local people other than giving profit to the big capitalists.

The best strategy is to enhance the Human Resource Development of the general populace through right education system and reaching out to the people wherever they are.

We must be available to all the deprived section of the region no matter who he is. The Human Resource capital that we have so far made in the field of sport n games, Health care, education, art n culture and other social awareness must be utilized for giving similar benefits to other under-privileged groups.

Whenever there is a call for help by the hungry-starving fellows, we must contribute our might to feed them. Similarly, when some section of the population need extra medical care there must a group of doctors and nurses coming up voluntarily for the needs.

This is possible when we have a fellow feeling towards those needy. Every ethnic group has its own charm and talents to make such contribution whether in the field of art or education or sports.

When Ccpurians were suffering the dreadful 'Mautam' (Bamboo flowering) and grieved by famine, we should have done village wise contribution of paddy and other cereals for their consumption. When the sweet children of god were dying of an unknown disease, we heard of total mishandling and neglect on the part of the government.

The government is there to take care of our lives and property, however, we should not stay idle counting the number of deaths sitting on the verandah. We could have done a lot to pacify the heart-broken parents who have to suffer the unsufferable.

Lost of such lovely kids by the parents need no mention in Manipur. The case of Lungnila Elizabeth, the two boys from Senapati, the rape and killing of children by the criminals are on the rise. Everybody is aware of the present misfortune and dark cloud covering the sky of Manipur.

The recent Heirok and Chajing episodes speak louder than anything. If not all, some groups operating in Manipur are unable to command their guns properly which ultimately victimized the general public thereby creating all kinds of hell in our society. Such acts are hardly forgiven in any civilized society. If we don't take action today similar cases might arise tomorrow.

Today I am a victim of armed conflict, tomorrow you can be one. If the well-trained security forces and the so-called revolutionary armed groups fighting for the cherished dream called 'Sovereign state of Manipur' cannot control their bullets, there is every chance of misusing the .303 Rifles by the SPOs in Heirok and Chajing.

If security personnel can go astray with their guns why not the SPOs with theirs to point at civilians for personal enmity or family fights.

Different ethnic groups living in Manipur must first learn the art of living together with one another. The dark period of hatred and animosity must give in to an era of development, peace and co-existence.

If Tangkhuls are the target of a particular armed group today, tomorrow, the Meeteis can be one such victim. If we cannot live together in Manipur, you cannot live together with other in Nagaland or Mizoram.

to be continued....