Noting the words of caution from UNC : Manipur should pay heed
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: February 05, 2024 -

More than 9 months. Over 200 from either side killed. Thousands displaced and still languishing in relief centres set up across the length and breadth of the State.

Many others still missing. Hundreds of homes bull dozed and levelled to the ground.

Other than this is the collateral damage that the Nagas, the only other group of people indigenous to the land, have had to suffer in the intense stand off.

Other than appealing for peace and urging both sides to refrain from further violence, this was the first time that the United Naga Council (UNC) came out strongly against both Meiteis and Kukis for ‘targeting’ the Naga folks who have remained neutral so far.

If the ‘selective targeting’ of Naga folks continues then it will not remain silent but chart out its own course of action, such as asking all Nagas settled in Imphal and the valley districts to pull out and go back to the hills and to put all Naga areas as off limits for the Kukis.

Strong words indeed, but not without reason.

To back up their stand, the UNC took the trouble of compiling all acts of ‘excesses’ against the Naga folks during the course of the violent clash between the Meiteis and the Kukis.

The no nonsense statement from the UNC hit both sides equally and it started off by recalling the May 24 assault of four girls from Ukhrul by a mob at Imphal; the burning of a Liangmai Naga house at Leimakhong by Kukis; the shooting to death of a Maring Naga woman on July 16 at Sawombung; the assault of a Liangmai farmer by cadres of the Kuki Revolutionary Army on Imphal-Tamei road for refusing to pay illegal tax on September 5; the blatant life attempt, with guns, of Naga leaders by an individual who identified himself as a cadre of the Kuki National Army at Kangpokpi on September 27; assault of three Tangkhul Naga men by armed Meiteis at Sawombung on December 3; assault of two Rongmei girls at Bishnupur bazar on December 11; assault of one Naga driver from Tamenglong at Imphal; kidnapping of four Naga girls working in a beauty parlour at Imphal on December 18.

These are but just examples of how the Naga people have been targeted in the course of the clash between the two warring communities, according to the UNC and added that in all these cases, it has tried to defuse the tension.

Neutral and cannot be part of the clash, but don’t push us too hard, is the loud message that one can read into the stand of the UNC.

A point which Manipur should take note and acknowledge accordingly.

This is certainly not the right time for Manipur or the Meiteis to rub any other party or community the wrong way.

Destruction of Church was one point which the UNC pointed out in its statement to the media, but as a body representing a neutral community, in the ongoing clash, it would have sounded so much more sensible if it had taken the trouble to mention about the sacred places of the Meiteis which were also targeted and destroyed.

The Ima Kondong Lairembi near Moreh is just one point that comes to mind. Moreover it should also not be forgotten that the Churches targeted and destroyed at Imphal and the valley districts were all Kuki Churches and not a single Church of the Naga community was targeted and attacked.

The Manipur Baptist Convention Central Church continues to stand tall in all its Holiness and grandeur and plum opposite to that stands the Tangkhul Baptist Church.

The Catholic Church at Mantripukhri continues to stand tall today too.

Such points which could and should have been mentioned, if destruction of places of worship was to be mentioned, is what The Sangai Express feels.

Whatever it is, it is significant to note that the largest body of the Nagas of Manipur has spoken and its stand should be noted and appreciated by everyone who believes in Manipur.