Who are the rightful inhabitants ?

Samarjit Kambam *

A parade signifying the diverse communities of Manipur during 64th Indian Republic Day celebration at Imphal on 26 January 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Every tribe or community have their origins. Manipur is a mini India comprising of many communities, tribes and castes. We also have our own "Unity in Diversity". But presently narrow mindedness, selfishness, greed etc have engulfed this beautiful and delicate fabric of co-existing peacefully regardless of what tribe, caste or community we belong. Now Manipur has become a land of "Diversity in Disunity".

Manipur was once a princely state under the control of the majority community i.e. the Meeteis. Since time immemorial, the different communities and tribes were living together peacefully. During that time, there was Manipur, an independent nation, home for us, home for the Manipuris until the British ruled upon us for many years. Even though Manipur being a small state, the patriotic leaders stood against the mighty British Empire and fought till their last breath.

They never compromised on the territorial integrity of Manipur. After that Manipur was annexed to the Indian union and for a few decades things went quite calm until some narrow minded leaders tried to cut the state into pieces. For the last few years we could witness a paradigm shift in the mindset of different sections of people of Manipur.

There are some big communities in Manipur viz Meeteis, Nagas and Kukis and Meetei Pangals. Besides, there are many other tribes, castes, sects, etc., in Manipur. In this digital age Manipur is heading towards the Stone Age, where killings and massacres took place for intruding in one's territory. We have already stepped into the 21st century, the world has shrunk virtually, things have changed a lot. But the scenario in Manipur is really pitiable.

First, the Nagas started with demand for a greater Nagalim where all the Naga-inhabited areas should come as a separate homeland regardless of the origin. The Kukis, another major community in Manipur are also demanding a separate homeland and the map depicting the territory of Kukiland is really awkward.

Maybe it is a political game to counter the Nagas or it may be the handiwork of some chameleon political leaders. The question is "Who first originated in Manipur?" How do the Meeteis originate, what is the origin of the Meetei Pangals, what about the Nagas? And what about the Kukis? Do all of them originate from Manipur? Please put on a little effort from reliable sources from where the Kukis originate, from where the Nagas originate. The info you find will be in direct contrast to what such big tribes or communities are playing the homeland game in Manipur. It is really a shame on the part of whoever is residing in Manipur.

Whenever we look up at history, then all of us are wrong. The British also ruled Manipur for a long time. Prior to that the Burmese. So if we go by history, then the British also have the right to come here and demand a separate British homeland in Manipur. Same with the Burmese also. In this age where words like "Multiversal" not to mention "Universal" are in vogue, it looks like a childish game going for separate homelands in a small state like Manipur.

When the planet earth is shrinking virtually, geography has become 'history', and when the world is going digital, Manipur is going separatal. The narrow minded leaders of different communities going for separate homelands must be having deep in their hearts, or hearing from their inner conscience that their demands will never materialise, for Manipur is Manipur and we the Manipuris will never compromise on its territorial integrity. If things goes nasty, these demands are tantamount to invitation of civil war or mass exodus.

Dear readers, its rather inappropriate, but let me bring evolution to come to a justified conclusion. Evolution is a process, but it is also history in a technical sense, a history spanning millions of years. Science has claimed and it is accepted worldwide that we humans are homo-sapiens that further evolved from Neanderthals.

Before that lizards ruled the world. Again they evolved from aquatic creatures, prior to that there were simpler forms of creatures and the process of evolution progresses in such a way that all living forms on our planet earth evolved from single single-celled bacteria or microbes. So, taking into account all these scientific facts, the real inhabitants of the world at large and Manipur in particular are the single-celled bacteria or microbes.

So, instead of handing over our State to the rightful owners or inhabitants i.e. the single-celled microbes, let we, the people of Manipur regardless of caste, creed, community or sect co-exist together and be the rightful occupants/inhabitants of Ma-nipur. Let "Manipur remain as Manipur" no more no less.