The politics of Naga integration : From rebel leader to 'politician'
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 08, 2012 -

Muivah interacting with Witoubou Newmai of NNN :: Pix - TSE

Exigencies of real politiks or the metamor-phosis of a man from rebel leader to the conventional politician par excellence ? Thuingaleng Muivah embodies both descriptions.

The dictum that it is not only the guns that talk but also politicalspeak that matters apparently has caught up with the man who spent the greater part of his lives waging a bush war against the Indian military.

'Naga integration can happen anytime. Today ? Tomorrow ? No permanent solution without it. Naga integration is a must,' and in one swift statement, the man from Somdal village in Manipur's Ukhrul district has demonstrated how the cards can be played.

The 'today', the 'tomorrow' and 'no permanent solution without it (Naga integration)' terms are pregnant with meaning in the backdrop of the reported pact that is being readied to be inked.

Creating an air of uncertainty has definitely become the di riguer in the context of the ongoing negotiation between Delhi and the NSCN (IM) and the latest statement is the testimony.

Not exactly and immediately contradicting Delhi on the question of territorial boundaries of the neighbouring States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur but yet at the same effectively conveying the message that integrating all areas perceived to be inhabited by the Naga people under one political unit is a point that has not been abandoned.

In other words, even if the reported pact that is being readied does not include the question of integrating all Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit, this is still a clause that has not been scrapped from the ongoing negotiation. An attempt at creating a win-win situation and truly the emergence of the politician in Th Muivah is hard to miss.

How the people concerned, the Nagas and the people of the three other States take the latest pronouncement of the NSCN (IM) leader is a matter of speculation.

On the one hand it may be dismissed as nothing short of an attempt to create a smokescreen while on the flip side it can be taken with the seriousness which the issue demands.

Or more importantly it may be read as something more meaningful to the pact that is reported to be at its final stage. One thing that is however for sure is the image of a tough customer that has been conveyed by Th Muivah.

In the light of such a development, wherein the IM group and Delhi appear to be talking in different tongues, the challenge before the people of Manipur is to see if they can look beyond the question of territorial integrity of the State.

Territory is no doubt one of the most important components of any political unit but does the entity called Manipur begin and end with her political boundary ?

No easy answer here, but the important point to keep in mind is to understand the politics of territory or integration that is being played out.

Uncertainty and confusion should not blind the people, least of all the democratically elected representatives of Manipur.

Can Ibobi and his men read into the finer lines of what have been coming out from Delhi and Nagaland in the last few days ?

An acid test lies ahead, not only for the Government and people of Manipur but also Delhi and the NSCN (IM).