Factionalism has been putting us always on the back foot. And this is something, we have been witnessing on all spheres in the state. According to the latest record released by the Home Ministry, Manipur has registered the highest number of insurgent groups in the North east with more or less similar demands. We all know, why our political leaders are known as 'toads'.

Meitei script suffers because of our own brawl. After reading the news story, "Apunba Lup active again"(NE Sun, Dec 31, 2004), it is clearly evident that the buck has bitten the Apunba Lup as well. Getting united of 32 organizations is not an easy deal. But despite phrasing the Lup as 'loosely organized' by the national media, nearly two and a half months long agitation had shaken up the Union government. But at a stone's throw distance from the destination, we have done what we must not have done at all.

By letting exposed the 'crack' to the national media, the Lup has undermined the people's movement. The Lup could not detect their weakness fast and didn't do any damage control. On contrary, the Union government caught the point fast and did what they must have done to contain the situation. The news story said that the Lup didn't send any delegate and rejects the 'review' theory. If it is true, then why didn't the Lup beat the drums about their stand in the national media at that time? They must have rejected the team and the understanding right away.

It will be really childish from our part if we claim "this and that" now. A meeting or an understanding at PM's or Union Minister's level is not a joke or a flirtious date which can be turned down at any point after arriving upto a certain level of understanding. Such things will surely bring a situation of 'validity check' next time our delegates meet the Union government, and this will be really humiliating.

Whatever the claim might be, it has become an open secret that there is some sorts of difference inside the Lup. So, we must resolve this problem first. We must not forget that the movement has been watching closely by the media and several bodies at national and international levels.

The media and the intellectuals consistently support the movement and its demand. Moreover, most importantly, the movement comes this long because of the support of common people both from inside and outside the state. The Lup may lose all this support and its credibility if such squabble of the leaders continues.

So, the Lup needs a proper coordination and understanding between the leaders of the organizations. We need to meet and discuss the matters regularly, so that we remain focused and united to our stand. It'll be not to our advantage if we start any agitation at this point of time, as we have already agreed to the 'review' theory (whatever the New Delhi delegation team might be, after all they are our own people).

We need to wait up to the submission of the recommendations made by the committee. And it is upto us whether we reject or accept it. Only then, we can act accordingly. It won't be late to start any public movement. Yes, we must not let the sacrifices go to vain. But this time with better determination, coordination and unity, so that no more mistakes are done.

Let us organize tightly and knock the Union government hard to fulfill our demands. The people who had spearheaded Nupi Lal and burned down the Assembly Secretariat (a record in itself) must not convey message, which can make bad impressions to the world. This is the land of brave youths like Irom Sharmila. We must not let down all those sacrifices.