Enduring unbreakable Manipur

Free Thinker *

The majority stands for a united Manipur and Dilli has also endorsed the same umpteen times. But some of us are consistently trying to break Manipur. This is very sad and heart-rending. Can’t we work out a formula? – living together but separately ? It sounds paradoxical – but you see, husband and wife still live together under the same roof.

The British policy of divide and rule - applied everywhere, wherever they go during their hay days (when the sun never sets on their Empire) – administratively we were divided by them; then we are divided by religion; after independence, the hill-valley divide continues Constitutionally;

We are further divided by social categorization such as Scheduled Tribe (ST) or Scheduled Caste (SC) or Other Backward Classes (OBC) (earlier all were tribal, 1931 census); developmentally the hill-valley divide became more visible in the last 70 years or so. Now we are killing one another for a separate identity, land, opportunities, power, dominance, etc.

Perhaps no one honestly tries to find an amicable solution to our deadly conflict. Rather they try to take political advantage of the situation.

Everyone is fishing in troubled water. The so-called leaders even don’t understand the ethnic intricacies and ongoing aggressive antagonistic militarization between the two communities. No solution is visible until and unless both sides are disarmed and ready for dialogue. An umpire of the highest order shall be required.

Why the ethnic violence continued for such a long time – because of heightened barbarism and uncontrolled cruelty- and communal violence begets action-reaction syndrome. How come the anti-social elements and rioters have so much arms and ammunition-because both sides got the weaponry support from the dispensation (allegedly) and non-governmental organizations ?

Why their ammunition is not yet exhausted in 3 months – (some intelligent ammunition suppliers are minting money) – innocent people are contributing money for bullets. Local leaders on both sides are playing the dirty game – and common people suffer.

Someone says that it is happening because Meiteis have become weak and Kukis have become stronger. It is not about weak and strong - Vietnam never surrendered to the US - it is about conviction. But, what I am pleading to both sides is that if people are suffering let us start talking and find a way out, why not a win–win situation for both ?

An elderly man poses a wonderful proposition about the claimant of Manipur. If Nagas say that they are the real owners of Manipur and at the same time if Kukis and Meiteis say the same, that would be the happiest moment. What will we all do then ? Nothing - but live wherever you want – Central or Western or Eastern Manipur.

Apparently, the Centre is seriously pondering a solution. They are confused about whether Manipur belongs to-Meiteis or Kukis or Nagas. It reminds us of the story of two mothers quarrelling over the mothership of a baby – the Ruler ruled - cut the baby into two equal parts and give one each to the mothers. The real mother said, no, let the other woman take the baby.

When I was in the UK, I learned that the United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

But they stay together as Britain or the United Kingdom. Every now and then Scotland tries to break away from Britain. They do it in a very civilized and nonviolent manner under the process called plebiscite or referendum (i.e., by voting). I really don’t know when we will reach that stage.

The entire population may be converted to the general category–because they have become so advanced that they are using sophisticated automatic weapons in such riots and strife whereas in any part of the country, people are still using lathis, knives, and axe and rarely guns.

Moreover, the international community is being awakened to see what they are up to. Indian media and politicians are equally surprised that such a tiny State can stall Parliament for many days – and ultimately has triggered a no-confidence motion.

The decision is almost final, all are in the family and the fraternal misunderstanding can be over. The end of the war will be pronounced in a day or two by Pitamah in the Durbar. After this, even if an arrow is shot or a woman is disrobed, that bangsa will be spelled to doom (Durbasa Muni).

Ghar Wapsi time has come now.