Back at those days as I grew up like any other kid, we remember the kind of respect and our ancestor and seniors have for ‘those’ revolutionist. People awed their work and have a high regard for what they did. People had more faith on them than civil courts and police.
It was widely believed that people asked for them to investigate and intervene in many cases and of course, family disputes. There were time when people genuinely felt happy to host them and help them if any. There was huge respect for their ideologies, principles and deeds.
But, now it's hardly a decade from that time. The respect earned by their founders and patriots is now gone to drain. People now hated them genuinely. They have lost the ability to look into the eyes of the public for whom they promise to die for.
They are now in everything even in small petty family quarrels you can always find them somehow. I wonder do they have so much time when the whole of the society is on the brink of collapse. It's really disheartening to see them forgetting the larger picture and the reason for their basic existence.
Now, people spit on their name. People respect due to fear of their irresponsible gun but, the respect due to their ideologies is now gone. People see them as money making organization. They have now virtually become the pawn whom you can use them whenever you want.
There is huge cry and protest inside every one of us against them. Only the fear of their gun-culture is stopping them to come-out else they will be dragged out and happily be punished for so many things.
They have now lost their ideas and ideology. The soul purpose of their existence can't be seen no where. They need to do a serious retrospect, introspect and some serious soul searching else they will be mere gangster few decades down the line.
There are over 30 such revolutionist groups in Manipur in a state with a population of less than 30 lacs. Simply put, 1 group for each lac. Do we really need so many? Why so many factions in spite of the fact that they basic existence is all the same reason.
And, there will be many more groups in days to come as they keep on making new factions. Not for the need of the hour but, for the need of meeting their self-centred selfish goals. Frankly, they are now money minting machine.
I despise on them for making the hard-work of the founder going to drain. I despise them for not able to stand against the test of time.
I despise them for not able to keep their promises. I believe the general public has the same feelings. If they truly respect Manipur, then it's high time they realize and give-up arms for the future peaceful state. We need a revolution but perhaps not revolutionary with guns.
I have heard stories of many revolutions across the world fighting against bigger enemies for their basic existence. Che-Guevara's ideas still trickles down to many people far across. In spite of separating so many distances and ages his ideas can still be heard loud and clear. The Gandhian principle also holds the same.
The ideology of Netaji Irabot is still written on every wall and runs in every blood of us. But, our brother who eats the same rice still can't give us the clear picture. Remember, in every revolution the strength is measured by your ideology and how many people are accepting it.
Definitely, it's not the gun and the fear-factor. Brothers, to be very honest, your very existence is now highly questionable. Your ideas are fuzzy. You have been blinded by human-selfish desire. I cry for you but, not for your death but, for your inabilities to revolt, losing strength and most importantly losing respect from everyone for whom you promise to die for.
Brother, look at the mirror there is stain of blood and shame everywhere on your face. Your comrades are involved in mass-rape, killing innocents’ people, threatening people and moreover, planting mines in farming field which has already maimed and killed many innocent people.
All these acts can't be termed as revolution but, a timid terrorism to your own people whom you promise to protect till your last breadth. Brother, open your eyes and ears. See, hear and understand what everyone is saying about you.
Every finger is now pointing to you. Your blood has become thick and your mind is now murky. Your head once held high is now so low that you have become shame of the society and fear for your irresponsible act.
How many more own blood you are going to bleed in the name of the revolution, how many more mass-rape, how many more suffering, how many mother's will lost their child (and in some cases daughters)?
In decades, you have learned the art of ambush but, forgotten those important lines that you swear to yourself when you leave this worldly pleasure for a bigger cause. You have forgotten why have you taken the road-less taken.
You have forgotten that you are killing your own blood in the name of revolution. Your revolution is now weak, ineffective and not in line with what you started out! Count each soul in your organization who is ready to die for this very revolution I believe you find only a few handfuls.
Look at the rise of corruptions, empty stomach, unexplainable rise of death cases, exponential rise in the number of corpses by the road, unexplained missing people. Can you still justify your existence?
You say the government is to be blamed for the many inefficiencies but then again, it is widely understood in Manipur you enjoy certain amount of liberty under the same government. While you shoot people as an anti-corruption drive but what about you all?
You extort, collect certain amount as tax. Aren't you all the same then? Now, it's not the question who is right and who is wrong. But, the bigger question is why people have failed to know you and your purpose of existence.
The transparency has been lost. You are everywhere where is a smell of money and blood. Perhaps, gangster will be better term to describe you. Your founders will cry and feel ashamed for your act.
People have more suffering because of you and your accountable ridiculous actions and brain work. The development has become stand-still, far down the south our brethren are without food for so long with no help due to famine.
Every moment there is fear of losing our integrity, there is blockades, disturbance and killings in far places but, you can't hear and see them anymore because you are now deaf and blind with human-selfish desire. They are also our brothers. They have also lost the faith on you. People started leaving their beloved-home because you have become a pain and shame.
You have become the puppet. You have become the pawn. You claim yourself to the revolutionist but your face is stained with blood and shame. How many more innocent people will become victim in your hands? Your deeds are too timid to be acknowledged and be proud off. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
Brother, it is really disheartening to see you in this shape because somewhere down the line I still have some amount of trust, belief and faith on your ideologies and principles. I hope it is just a passing phase and you'll come clean and wiser with renewed respect.
I'll wait for that time to stand with you. To tell the stories of your heroic revolutions to my future clan so that they can also follow the same step after you are long gone.
We need a revolution but, not you. Brother, rise before the sun sets forever.
* Kanglacha contributes for the first time to e-pao.net.
The writer can be contacted at kangla(dot)macha(at)gmail(dot)com .
This article was webcasted on 28th November 2007.
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