Suspense in Manipur

Thangjam Sanjoo Singh *

Manipur has been under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act since the end of 1979. Irom Sharmila Chanu’s 16-year-old fast for its repeal failed to impress the powers that be. After giving up her lone crusade in August this year, on 18 October she formed a political party and is determined to replace three-time chief minister Ibobi Singh so as to be able to recommend that the Centre withdraw it.

Manipur is the only state in the North-east with multi-faceted problems. With the NSCN (IM) demanding the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas, it faces the threat of being disintegrated. Then there are problems like growing unemployment, non-fulfilment of the people’s democratic aspirations, lack of development, continued insurgency and demands by various ethnic groups for a separate homeland or autonomy and the presence of a large number of migrants.

With the next assembly election round the corner — expected in February-March — political parties are gearing up but so far none have come out with any concrete agenda. The people want them to present practical plans that can be acted upon and sustained to solve the state’s problems. The big question is: will Ibobi, serving his third consecutive term, be able to deliver the goods?

Or can the BJP, with its dynamic Prime Minister, pledge a viable solution to Manipur’s problems to win votes? To achieve this, it has to come out with concrete proposals, like a vision document, and take a stand on whether or not it will be specific on the continuation/discontinuation of the much-hated AF(SP) Act. People have had enough of pre-poll rhetoric and promises in the past. And money/muscle power is not likely to work.

Some disenchanted Congress legislators have already sought greener pastures, thinking the ruling team will bite the dust. Not unexpected, because legislators in the state are too fickle-minded and easily lean towards whichever party is in power at the Centre.

Seasoned Congressman Nongthombam Biren is already with the BJP. He wants a firm stand on outsiders not dictating terms in the state before India’s Act East Policy becomes effective. The idea is to prevent powerful and influential parties from holding on to the state’s land for their business.

He also wants the BJP to stop the activities of tribal rebel groups that are in the “Suspension of Operations” mode for some years, by signing deals with them, make the National Highways four-lane, ensure security along these by deploying a protection force and not disturb the state’s boundary to please the Nagas while signing the final deal with them. Last but not least, he wants a separate budget for the hills to bring about a balanced development.

The other to desert is dissident Congress leader Y Irabot. Some other MLAs are also under pressure by Inner Line Permit volunteers and activists to join the BJP. Visits by Central leaders have boosted the morale of the state unit.

Another Congress MLA to have quit is Francis Ngajokpa from Tadubi. Four sitting Trinamul Congress MLAs, meanwhile, have joined the Congress,

The Congress wants to enact bills to check infiltration and the BJP also seems to favour this. So it remains to be seen how it will respond when the Congress government introduces a Bill to this effect and also what its stand will be on the demand by the Meiteis for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.

So far, no official word has come out on these issues from political parties. And sooner or later they will have to take a stand. And what about the “Framework” Agreement signed by the Centre and the NSCN (IM) last year?

Maybe this is where the Congress will attempt to deliver blows on the BJP, reminding the people that the phrase “‘ceasefire without territorial limits” was inserted when the BJP extended the Nagaland ceasefire to Manipur’s four hill districts in June 2001 when the state was under a short spell of President’s Rule and the BJP was in power at the Centre. The BJP may hit back with the assertion that there is a “Congress leader” who has actually backed the demand for Naga integration some time back.

The present political scenario is one of a total breakdown of law and order and people feel they have been deprived of their constitutional rights for far too long. They feel it is time for a change and they have a legitimate right to effect such a change.

Being a resourceful state, Manipur’s people wish to have a sincere, committed and dedicated government that can be practical in solving problems like corruption, lack of development, total breakdown of law and order, something which the Ibobi government has not been able to tackle. Only a strong, selfless and dedicated leadership will be able to lift Manipur from the morass.