Pulling the idea of Manipur apart : Time to accept the reality
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: February 02 2016 -

Separate flag likely for Nagaland as part of the final accord with the Centre. 48 hours bandh called by the United Naga Council in all the hill districts of Manipur from February 4 while stressing on the ‘unique history of the Nagas’ and there is the uncomfortable thought that Manipur may be made to bleed at the altar of an agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM).

Pitching one community against the Government of Manipur. This is what has been happening for years, especially after the Naga rebel group inked a peace deal with the Government of India.

The question is how long is this going to go on ?

The bandh in the hill districts may be for 48 hours, but given the geography of the land, this will mean that Manipur will be cut off from the rest of the country for two full days.

Couple this with the indefinite highway bandh called by the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur and the Kuki Students’ Organisation, General Headquarters and the coming days can only be traumatic for the people.

The reasons for the indefinite highway bandh and the 48 hours hill bandh are different but it is the common people who will feel the pinch.

As always, people have started queuing up before petrol pumps in anticipation of the dry spell that is bound to arrive soon and in no time prices of other essential commodities are sure to shoot.

What is happening in the hills of Manipur is in direct contrast to the call for a mass rally on February 6, which is aimed at securing the common future of all the indigenous people of the land.

One calling for a common future and the other calling for separation.

This is the curse of the land and the people.

How did things come to such a pass ?

Difficult to come to a definite answer, but let it be clear that the divide amongst the three major communities of the land is indeed deep and wide and this is frightening for everyone.

Calling for good sense to prevail has always been rejected and maybe the time has come for all to move beyond issuing calls and get down to the business of actually trying to address the issue.

The issue of the deep divide amongst the different communities.

The question of importance here is who should address this issue ?

This is where everyone need to shed their double speak and actually get down to the business of understanding the people to people contact.

How sincere are the people while interacting with people of another community ?

Why should there be such a deep sense of distrust and suspicion between the people ?

No easy answers here, but it is important to first acknowledge that there is indeed a deep divide between different communities and any step towards addressing this is to first accept this reality.

Address the trust deficit.