Defiling the idea of a Manipur
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 14, 2010 -

What should have strictly been an issue concerning the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, the NSCN (IM) and perhaps to a certain extent the Government of Nagaland, is now threatening to snowball into some sort of a confrontation between two neighbouring States, with vehicles from either side hesitant to cross the border.

More alarming and more dangerous than this is the threat perception and the growing distrust between the Nagas of Manipur and the Meiteis in the valley.

The stand off over the proposed visit of Th Muivah has already taken a very tragic turn, with the death of two young, promising students and the air is still heavy with anxiety and apprehension as the NSCN (IM) leader is still staying put at Viswema village, which is reportedly located about only 17 kms from Mao Gate.

This 'overdue' stay at Viswema, sends out the signal that the NSCN (IM) is still hopeful of getting the green signal from the Centre, despite the State Cabinet's strong resolve to oppose it tooth and nail.

Simply put, the last words have not been spoken to as yet. This is a brief sketch of the reality surrounding us at the moment coupled with the growing apprehension that this issue could be taken out onto the streets of every nook and corner of the State.

With the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur backed by a number of Naga civil society organisations, imposing yet another economic blockade on the two National Highways, over an issue, which had nothing to do with the visit of Muivah, the patience of the people is yet being put to test by fire again.

More importantly there is also the growing understanding or misunderstanding that the ban on the entry of Th Muivah to Manipur and the opposition to the ADC election (the real reason for the blockade) are the twin factors behind the blockade.

The two issues appear to be overtly overlapping in the blockade call. It is this interpretation which has the potential to mislead the people and make them resort to undesirable steps. Already, the sound of unofficial 'counter-blockade' is beginning to echo in some parts of Imphal and nothing is more unwise than this.

Remember, the ultimate objective of the Greater Lim exponents is to see a complete breakdown in the age old relationship between the Meiteis and the Nagas. We wonder who 'tutored' these people, who have been raising the 'counter blockade slogan,' and mind you such a step contradicts the idea of a Manipur as it exists today.

Amidst this uncertain time, where everybody is on tenterhooks and looking over their shoulders of what would happen behind their backs, it was heartening to see Th Muivah deliver a master stroke in diplomacy towards the people of Manipur.

If we go by the report of the press conference held by Muivah at Viswema on May 10, nowhere did he say anything against any community in Manipur. Instead, he hit the right button in lashing out at New Delhi, over its flip flop stance.

The accusation that the Manipur Government is being used by Delhi to put a hurdle on the peace process is another matter, but it is significant, that Muivah has been able to see through the thoughtlessness and pompous stand adopted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

This is what should be acknowledged. Something may also be read into the fact that the media in Manipur was not informed or invited to the press conference. As a reader wrote in a letter to the Editor to this newspaper (we are publishing it today), if the Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Imphal deems it necessary to appeal to all concerned not to pose any hurdle on the movement of the hill people from their homes to Imphal or vice versa, then they too should have the moral conviction to appeal to the ANSAM to call off the economic blockade.

The politics and demand behind imposing the economic blockade over the ADC election is understood by all, we assume, but what is missing the eyes of the blockade supporters or sponsors, is the fact that it is not the Government which feels the pinch, but the common people.

Imagine, schools being closed down as there are no fuel stock in the State to ferry students by vans or buses, due to the economic blockade. Another significant point that should not be forgotten is the fact that the stand against the election to the ADC is a child of the Greater Lim demand.