Stone Cold

Dennis Misao *

Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee on August 14 2011 :: Pix - Bijoy Lai

Recently a slab of granite was installed at the ADC office complex at Kangpokpi. The words engraved on that stone declared the inauguration of Sadar Hills District by Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Manipur in the presence other distinguished MLA's and dignitaries on 31st October 2016.

The 31st of October has come and gone. The stone still stands unattended and forgotten. Even the courtesy of an explanation for this gaffe was not offered. Anger led to dismay led to disgust. Which begs me to ask the all-important question: “What on earth were they thinking?”

We in Sadar Hills are certainly not amused. Experience has proved that there is a problem for every solution, and often more than one. The first problem lies in a legacy of political cowardice. There is a chronic failure of successive governments to take a firm decision on the issue. Every time the Naga pressure groups use the same rigid language to oppose Sadar Hills, the government beats a hasty retreat. So it was in the beginning, so it shall be until this timidity ends.

The second problem arises with the land. Normally, a State Government is empowered, after due process, to alter the name, area or boundaries of any district within its territory. Unfortunately for Sadar Hills, this does not apply here.

In the context of Greater/South Nagalim, the land of Sadar Hills apparently exists in a parallel universe within the territory of Manipur. In this virtual parallel utopia, every inch of space is sacred, untouchable, and hence non-negotiable. How the laws of the land will apply in this parallel dimension will baffle even renowned thinkers and scientists. So it was in the beginning, so it shall be until the virtual reality ends.

The next problem is one of predictability. As soon as elections approach, we are assured that Sadar Hills will be revived once again. The same old slogans and speeches are shamelessly played over and over again. As soon as elections are over, it is put back in cold storage. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. So it was in the beginning, so it shall be until the shamelessness ends.

The most important problem is one of ethnicity. While the Thadou-Kukis happen to be the single largest ethnicity in Sadar Hills, it does not mean that they have to apologize for it. It does not mean that all other communities within Sadar Hills should be disadvantaged and left out of a district only because of the presence of one community.

Sadar Hills is not an issue between X and Y and Z. It is a simple matter of administrative prudence. If anyone was listening objectively, they would have heard and understood already. Unfortunately in Manipur, we are blind, deaf and dumb in the ethnic department. So it was in the beginning, so it shall be until the dumb and dumber ends.

And while the diatribe continues, it only serves to deepen the wedge of distrust between communities. It is neither necessary nor relevant to repeat the volumes of arguments and counter-arguments for and against the creation of Sadar Hills as a full-fledged district. Too many bitter words have been spat out already. I too have contributed my fair share of bile in this matter. The only thing left is a sick sensation deep in the gut.

In the meantime, the stone waits - unfeeling and cold.

Just like all the other actors in this long and sordid drama.