Ghost of 'unofficial' pact
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 07, 2010 -

There is no doubt about it. The stand off between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of Manipur over the proposed visit of Thuingaleng Muivah to his birth place at Somdal in Ukhrul district has begun to take an ugly turn, with the question of 'who wins,' becoming the objective of both parties. Already reports have come in of at least four goods laden trucks, bound for Manipur, torched at Khuzuma by NSCN (IM) cadres, apparently in retaliation to the ban imposed on the entry of their leader to Manipur.

In this no holds barred situation, a solution to end the impasse seems almost impossible and the dread of an imminent show down has begun to haunt the conscience of many right thinking citizens on either side of the Lim divide. Delhi has an important role to play here for it is in direct contact with the NSCN (IM) and both parties have sat on the negotiating table for at least 60 times since the cease fire pact was signed in 1997.

In the seemingly impossible position in which Manipur, the NSCN (IM), the votaries of a Greater Lim as well as those who stand for the territorial integrity of Manipur, are all stake holders, one important point that must not be missed is the important feature of the cease fire agreement. Everyone remembers the nightmarish atmosphere that gripped Manipur in June 2001 and the months that followed.

The tension in the valley finally subsided after the then BJP led NDA Government rolled back the clause, 'cease fire without territorial limits' as mentioned in the Bangkok Declaration of June 14, 2001. However the sharp divide between the peoples on either side of the Lim demand began to grow, nurtured and fed by some self serving elements.

It is the removal of the clause or definition of 'cease fire without territorial limits' that now comes into significance in the present stand off. Officially there is no cease fire pact with the Naga rebel group and the Government of Manipur, but we would be refusing to call a spade a spade, if we do not admit that there is certainly an unofficial cease fire in the State. It is the failure to strictly implement the cease fire agreement, that may be said to be one of the chief factors in the present stand off.

There is nothing wrong in Mr Muivah visiting his birth place, and ideally it should serve as the perfect opportunity to share ideas and discuss issues which are presently facing the people of the North East region. Unfortunately, with the NSCN (IM) steadfastly sticking its demand for a Greater Lim and managing to mobilise the Nagas of Manipur to pursue this agenda, his proposed visit at this present juncture was deemed as 'unwanted' by the Government of Manipur.

On the other hand, if the cease fire agreement had been implemented effectively and confined within the territorial boundaries of Nagaland, then Muivah may not have entertained the idea of visiting his birth place at this present juncture.

That an unofficial cease fire is indeed in force in Manipur is a fact that cannot be denied and one just has to remember the stand off between the outfit and the Assam Rifles over a camp of the rebel group in Shirui, Ukhrul district some time back.

This is where the role of Delhi as well as the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell of the Government becomes important. In this situation, Chief Minister O Ibobi must surely be feeling the heat and his mettle in diplomacy and leadership quality will be tested by fire in the next couple of days.

The situation calls for the ability to clearly understand the defining line between obstinacy and political will power. This is what is demanded of from both the NSCN (IM) as well as the State Government.

Let it be clear to all that in the present stand off, there can be no winner. It will only serve to further take the understanding or misunderstanding of ethnic politics into a different sphere, for which there is as yet no definition.