On his second coming, PM will have to answer the people

Ninglun Hanghal *

Narendra Modi's public speech at Imphal on 8th February 2014 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

PM Modi is slated to visit the state on February 25. This is the second time he is visiting the state after becoming the prime minister. The first was not long after he took office in 2014. At that time, with the wave of "change" in the post general election still yet to settle down , PM Modi's first visit brought freshness as people in Manipur were curious , sort of mixed feelings, as to what will it be like to have the popular prime minister in the state.

Though in-visible there are reservation, bit of nervousness in 'opening up' to the new face in a state like Manipur, with all its numerous chronic problems and crisis. Can the new PM bring any "change" in this trouble-torn state? Can there /will there be a Modi wave? But all is well, as the witty PM made instant connections with officials and the masses at large.

Well, that was more than two years ago. Many questions still remains, and perhaps still unanswered.

Two years is a long time. In-fact there has been many happenings in the hills and valley in the state and even in New Delhi.

It was breaking news for the people of Manipur when PM Modi signed the Naga Peace framework agreement in August 2015 in New Delhi. Reportedly, the public event was a well guarded secret until it was came-out 'live'. The nation watched. People in Manipur watched.

This is one of the most important events in the decade, specifically in within these two years, for the people of Manipur and for PM Modi himself. One need not go into detail for the reason why the Naga Talks or Naga peace agreement framework is important for Manipur. For PM Modi, this event is important as he sets out to break a record in that one stroke of the pen.

In-fact, Modi puts himself into a critical situation as he takes on the plunge to solve the longest running insurgent movement in south Asia. Termed as historic, indeed the event is historic, either way, positively or negatively, for PM Modi as well as for the people of Manipur and North-East at large. And slowly but surely, the events that follows the historic announcement did unfold in the state.

Ever-since PM Modi made the historic August announcement of a breakthrough in the Naga Peace talk, there has been restlessness in the state – both in the Hills and Valley. Apprehension abounds, anxiety, curiosity, leaving everyone in Manipur anxious and wanting to know more.

While the Nagas wait to hear what is in store for them, consistent demands for revealing the content of the historic framework have been echoing in the Imphal valley. In these milieu, what one gets to hear is the popular slogan "territorial integrity" widely used both by civil society and political parties. Meanwhile another slogan is " "our ( ancestral) land, our rights".

As months turn into years, and as PM Modi continues to engage in building his international relations and tackling multitudes of issues facing the country, in Manipur the historic framework neither brought calm in the valley nor any relief for the Nagas.

Mid 2015 onwards, Manipur valley erupted in violent protest demanding for implementation ILPS. Moreover, another violent uprising was witnessed in Churachandpur district in the aftermath of passing of the three ILPS related Bills. The people in Churachandpur continue to protest against the three Bills with the nine dead bodies still lying unclaim.

Now in the most recent months, there is the on-going economic blockade imposed by the UNC against the creation of new districts. Following this several violence has also been witnessed in the state, both in the valley and hills. Numerous rounds of meetings have been held, but no breakthrough for lifting of the blockade.

Like the several rounds of Naga peace talks, meeting-discussion was held in New Delhi over the blockade, including tripartite talks, involving the state government. Various CSOs have also made a bee-line in the national capital over the impasse. It is interesting to note that there is a trend in the BJP heavy weight's visit to the state, particularly for election campaign.

Party President Amit Shah and other leaders had come for visits, including Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh just ahead of PM. These visits' entire itinerary did not go beyond the Imphal valley. PM Modi's itinerary too is restricted to Imphal capital.

Another noteworthy is that , Meetings , Talks and Announcements happens in New Delhi, while centre leaders, union Ministers come down for public address, rally and election campaign in the Imphal Valley. This is definitely something that is intriguing and a complicated one to comprehend. Obviously, therefore, the valley demands to know the contents of the framework agreement and rightly so as a key stakeholder.

The Nagas for whom the framework is supposedly made, needs to have clarity on what entails their future and what should they 'agree' to. And they have the right too. Beside these, all community, tribe, each citizens, inhabitants in Manipur are equal stakeholders.

This time prime minister Narendra Modi needs to answer the people of Manipur both in the valley and hills. If Modi has nothing to tell the people, the state which is all chocked and dried up may easily get burn again. His second coming, if it is merely for the upcoming polls, then it could be fatal for his own party and for his own image – a historic PM of India who wants to have the cake and eat it too.