Getting the balancing act right : Question of accommodation
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: October 19, 2012 -

To be accommodative.

This is going to be a dicey term to not only the Okram Ibobi Singh led Government, the UPA Government at Delhi, the NSCN (IM) and the Joint Legislative Front of Nagaland Assembly but also to the people of Manipur, who may be on either side of the Lim divide.

There is something profound in the understanding 'give and take' and if the right balance is not struck, it could well amount to 'push coming to shoves'.

A tight rope that everyone has to walk and it is not going to be easy.

For one it will need everyone to go the extra mile to understand each others' point of view and to be sure there will be hate mongers on either side who will try to create smoke- screens and whip up passion.

It is this which the people should be wary about.

And perhaps the best prescription would be to appreciate the commitment demonstrated by the NSCN (IM) to arrive at a political solution, sticking to their stand through the ups and downs for well over 15 years as well as the committed stand of the people that nothing that hurts the interest of the social and political entity known as Manipur should be entertained.

Two stands which appear contradictory to each other but the complementary strand that connects the two ends should not be missed.

It will take more than tough posturings to identify this and this is where statesmanship should be given the room to emerge and not the typical politician in the leaders leading the way to chart out a model which should be acceptable to the people.

Given the demographic composition of the State, the leadership and cadre wise profile of the NSCN (IM) and the geography of the place, it is a given that Manipur is going to be the key to any solution that is sought to be arrived at between the Government of India and the Naga rebel group.

The likely model to be worked out has not been given the official stamp so far and given this fact it is extremely important for all the people to keep an open mind.

It is not only Manipur which will need to be accommodative but also all the entities which have been championing a cause for the Naga people in Manipur.

An accommodative stand cannot be a one way traffic. This is important.

It is also extremely important to keep in mind that this is not a question of 'Us Against Them' for in one way or the other, everyone has a stake in the solution that is reported to be close at hand.

Belligerence cannot be to the advantage of anyone. One needs to look beyond the question of one's stand point.

The critical question is whether the people as a whole, who appear to be on either side, are ready to see things from each others' perspectives.

At one level the divide can be artificial while at another level it can be hauntingly real. This is a point which should be made a guiding light.

History is the testimony of what division can do to a people. History is also the testimony of what respecting each others' stand can amount to.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi is expected to give the stand of the Government of Manipur to Delhi in a few days time and this is where the acid test lies.

It will be well nigh impossible to please everyone, but the issue does not call for populist measures yet at the same time any decision should not also be seen as selling out the interest of Manipur and by extension her people.

Important too is not to forget that Manipur is not only about the Meiteis and the Nagas.