"Economic Blockade", ADC Elections and Democracy

Dr. N. Somorendro Singh *

"Economic Blockade" for indefinite period has been one of the most undemocratic, inhuman and "communal" strategy imposed in peace time in human history. It violates the basic human rights of all persons particularly right to adequate food of innocent children belonging to every community.

It has caused an artificial man-made humanitarian crisis situation in Manipur in peace time. It is largely due to the ethnocentric political agenda of "Naga" political organizations. It is directed against Manipur government but the victims and sufferers are the people including innocent children of every community and every region, hills and valley.

No civil organizations in a democracy can impose such a strategy. Blockade and counter-blockade were adopted only during wars in history. Due to these fundamental facts, "civil" organizations who imposed the indefinite economic blockade on National Highways in Manipur are neither civil nor organizations for the democratic rights of "tribal and Nagas". The voice of "tribal/Nagas" should be known through democratic elections and exercise of their democratic rights. Those who prevent the democratic process by force and violent methods can not represent and the protectors of the rights of "tribal and Nagas".

Why "Economic Blockade" in the National Highways is frequently imposed that too indefinitely? National Highways may pass any territory and it is for all the people irrespective of community or region. Yet few organizations appear to believe that the National Highways are their own property to be used for achieving their own sectarian or "communal agenda". This false conception is the primary cause for frequent blockades and for indefinite periods in Manipur.

This is unique inhuman strategy ever adopted which one does not hear in any part of the world. In human history, political goals realized by violent methods only without any democratic agenda and means have fallen.

The stated reason for the present "economic blockade" is that the amendment in the Act under which two phased elections in Autonomous District Councils are held is "anti-tribal". If these pro-tribal organizations are really concerned for "tribal" or the democratic rights of people in the hills, what they have been doing over the last 20 years? Why they have to object to the Amendment to the Act only after the process of election has started, why not earlier?

If the amendments in the Act are not as per wishes of "tribal" people, are all the sixty Honorable MLAs "anti-tribal/Naga"? If the elected MLAs particularly from the hill areas are the democratically elected representatives, then who are these organizations who called indefinite "economic blockade" and oppose ADC elections violently? Whose interests these organizations are determined to protect? Why only the organizations of political "Naga" are imposing indefinite blockade and oppose ADC elections violently? There is need to understand the above questions and answer them.

These organizations go on hijacking, manipulating and appropriating the democratic agenda of the people of the hills in the name of rights of "tribal/Nagas". They falsely believe in achieving their narrow political agenda only by generating and exploiting the emotions of the common people in which they become experts. Unfortunately the number of such experts is increasing in the hills and valley. In the process real issues and problems faced by the people in Manipur are in the backyard instead of being in the forefront.

The inability to act by the governments (Centre and Manipur) against the perpetrators of such inhuman strategy has been responsible for frequent anarchic situation in Manipur. However the understanding and patience of the people in Manipur belonging to every community and region must be appreciated despite such hardships and provocations. It clearly shows they have learned the values of the peaceful coexistence and shared destiny as shown by their forefathers and foremothers by living together for centuries.

The ideology, agenda and undemocratic even "communal" attitude of those who impose indefinite blockade and oppose ADC elections violently stand expose on three clear facts. The first is the fact that there were democratic demands for ADC election which have not held for 20 years from few organizations specially in 2008 and 2009. Absence of the democratic governance at the grass root level have deprived the common people in the hills the development and other benefits.

The intervention in the administration and "taking away" large portion of development funds and other benefits meant for common people in the hills by the "armed groups" and their over ground friends for decades are well known. So the question is do they feel threaten that "tribal/Nagas" will be empowered after elections at the cost of them after 20 years?

The second fact is the largely successful ADC elections after 20 years particularly in the first phase on May 26, 2010. The reported voter turnout was around 90% in Churachandpur District, over 70% in Sadar Hills and over 45% in Chandel despite bandhs, threat and physical prevention. In the second phase which was held on June 2, 2010 the reported voter turn out was over 90 % in some polling stations and over 40% in Tamenlong and Senapati Districts. In Ukhrul it was reported to be near zero and also in some polling stations in Senapati and Tamenglong.

The home and properties of the candidates, those who already won uncontested and their supporters have been destroyed by burning. Doe not such primitive violent methods only reflect the frustration and "primitive attitude" of the protectors of tribal/Naga rights. Withdrawal of candidatures and non-participation by the common people in election process under threat particularly in Ukhrul and Senapati Districts are not signs of the defeat of democratic forces. In reality this reflect how determine these anti-people and anti-democratic organizations and their armed "backers" to sabotage elections and deprive the democratic rights of the common people.

The third fact is the doubtfulness of the honesty of those who impose indefinite economic blockade and oppose ADC elections violently. Anti-tribal accusation in the amendment in the Act look likes only an excuse. Their concerns for the rights of the tribal can be addressed democratically in the past 20 years or present. They are not talking about the ways and means to reduce or end constraints and hardships faced in the hills like infra-structure, socio-cultural particularly education, modern health care system, physical distance, psychological gaps etc and democratization.

Why huge turn out in the ADC elections in Churachandpur and Sadar Hills and in some polling stations in Senapati and Tamenglong? And why there were near zero turn out and absence in Ukhrul and parts of Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong? The question is who is a tribal and who is championing or depriving the rights of "tribal? Naga"?

Enforcers of economic blockade do not care for "others" including agony of the "tribal/Nagas". From their past activities and continuation of blockade even after ADC elctions, is there any doubt that they are the "frontal organizations" of armed group who pursues the ethnocentric political agenda and exclusive homelands? So the leaders of such organizations are fearless on enforcing such illegal, undemocratic and cowardice acts even on their own people. Unfortunately common people only know what underground cadres and their over ground friends are capable of doing on them individually. Is it the reason for no protests in the hills against economic blockade?

It is high time that the political and administrative leadership in the State and centre to devise ways and means to deal politically first and then take firm actions against the organizations who resort to indefinite "Economic Blockade", "General Strike" or new "counter-blockade". The governments in a democracy must have the mandate, legitimacy, resources and manpower at their disposals to deal with such inhuman and anti-people strategies.

Democracy is also meant to respect and protect the rights of the others including those who disagree with you. Threatening or punishment of "others" who disagree with you is not democracy. The present and past humanitarian crisis situation in Manipur is due to indefinite economic blockade, not due to natural calamity/external forces.

How long and how frequently such inhuman strategy which violates the basic rights of all will be allowed to happen even in the 21st century? Silence is not a sign of cowardice but of patience and understanding of the situation. Those who impose indefinite economic blockade and the fearful governments (centre and Manipur) must not take it for granted the silence of the people for all the time.