Pradhan Mantri Ayega !

Free Thinker *

People have been murmuring for the last month or so Pradhan Mantri Kab Ayega ? Even JNU Prof expresses similar sentiment – "Pradhan Mantri nahi bola". Pradhan Mantri is always with us. The Union Home Minister came and he is coming again; after all, he is the dealing hand. Amit Shah ji is the man-Friday of Pradhan Mantri.

One senior journalist told me that PM and HM are the obverse and reverse of the same coin. They are one and the same. Pradhan Mantri does not discriminate on the basis of region or ethnicity; he stands for the Nation and its people. Union Home Minister follows suit and acts accordingly.

Honestly, I have superficial ideas of Article 371C, Article 3, Fifth Schedule, Sixth Schedule, NRC, Citizenship, how to become ST ?, ADCs, Separate Administration, Nagalim, Greater Mizoram, Divide and Rule policy, Power of Drug Cartels, Expanding Golden Triangle, Perennial Insurgency, Unending Naga Peace Talks, Suspension of Operation (Kukis), Bicameral Assembly (district wise representation) etc.

But, I have profound ideas for leading a peaceful life having Moreh Rahu, hill rice beer, Mao 'alu', Pherzawl 'yongchak', tea in a Blackstone-cup of Ukhrul, Bamon 'hawaizar', Bishenpur 'soibum', Tamenglong oranges, 'nung nga' from Khuga dam, Chura-chandpur and so on.

Another critical and emotional area is the identification of the bodies lying in the hospital mor- tuaries. No Human Rights organizations either from the hills or valley is taking up the issue – dead bodies have human rights too, I read somewhere ; at least a respectful burial or funeral must be performed. A neutral body like the Red Cross may take up the issue with the competent authorities.

Amit Shah ji had already done many things; he went to all those who were in the relief camps. He increased the ex-gratia amount, assured one job to the family of the deceased, free flow of goods and essential items, free rice for the affected people, gave some immediate financial aid, announced adequate inquiries, assured larger forces to restore normalcy; he also met all the political parties, organizations, and NGOs including the disgruntled elements.

In the name of peace, everyone is facing a battle. Leaders don't suffer much, but the common people. Just think of the daily wage earners, poor in remote areas. Indulging in power politics, promoting ethnic hatred, craving for leadership, playing with people's sentiment, and fighting for ego make the State bleeds. Only the poor, peasant, and plebians suffer – politicians hardly.

Nagas are worried about their territories on the speculation that Kukis are likely to gain in land share in case of giving concrete autonomy to them in some districts. It is all about land, whose land ? Naga's land, Kuki-land, Meitei-land – does it make sense ? Manipur belongs to all - Nagas, Kukis, Meiteis, Pangans, and people who have been here for quite long.

In the name of land demarcation or jurisdiction, skirmishes are still on. I am just praying that the ammunition is exhausted at the earliest and the guns returned in drop boxes or abandoned somewhere in isolated places. It is an innocuous appeal to all concerned. Out of 4000, only 1000 are returned. Out of 98 dead, only 33 are claimed. These are critical matters to be settled at the earliest and handled sensitively.

Somebody grumbles in this bloody chaos that Meiteis should be immediately declared a tribe based on their behavior in the last month or so. Their primitive nature has become so obvious that without any study they may be recognized as ST. In great Hindu tradition also – social status can also be decided on the basis of your 'Karma'.

We love one another or kill one another, it is up to us, but it is going to happen inside Manipur. The map is unlikely to be changed. The majority has a greater responsibility – it applies to every corner of the State. In the valley Meiteis have to protect hill people; and in the hills it should be the other way round. Otherwise, there is no way out.

We have no option but to rework a new model of co-existence. Some elements are trying to make co-existence difficult. But we can't continue without it. Healing takes time but let us move forward towards normalcy. When I talk about peace – some are annoyed or angry. How long do we have to continue like this ? Is there a winner in a war ? None!

Meities may or may not get ST status but they will get land rights in the Hills. Kukis may or may not get a separate administration but there is the likelihood of Sixth Schedule in their areas. All the Nagas may or may not be territorially integrated but a Pan-Naga body may emerge for a common superstructure.

These are my unsolicited anticipations, I may be utterly wrong.

Hope, Hon PM will come and announce a win-win situation for all-including a huge economic package for reconstruction and rehabilitation; the only pre-condition is the restoration of peace & normalcy. The announcement will certainly lead to the rebuilding of trust and confidence among the communities. Pradhan Mantri Ayega !