Migration phenomena
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: April 25, 2010 -

The recent 'retaliation' or 'counter ultimatum' issued by the Maoists against the announcement made earlier on March 6, by the proscribed People's Revolutionary Front, that all non local people or migrant workers must leave Manipur by May 31, has brought into focus the global phenomena of migrant workers.

According to the UN Human Report of 2009, there will be 200 million international migrants by 2010. This is about people's movement across international boundaries, but are there estimates of inter-State movement of people within a country ?

Apart from this question, one underlying fact is the point that there are many factors for humans to migrate to other places leaving their birth place. Internationally, the phenomena of migration is from poor and politically volatile countries to richer and stable countries such as western Europe and the USA.

Thus we see migrants from economically poor countries such as Bangladesh, Phillipines and African countries, where political stability is yet to take roots. The phenomena of migration is therefore not unique to Manipur, but the interesting question is why do these migrant workers come to this State, which is not at all economically well off ?

It is here that the question of the pull and push factors come into focus. According to the findings of UN agency, the 3 Ds, which connotes works that are deemed dangerous, difficult or demeaning and rejected by the local population are taken up by the migrant workers. The situation in Manipur truly reflects this.

Most of the migrant workers that we see in Manipur are engaged as coolies, cart pullers, cobblers, barbers, masons, carpenters etc. Some of them have gone on to open road side tea stalls as well as big business establishments. One reason why these migrant workers find work relatively easier is because the host population can avail their service at a much cheaper cost.

This in a way considerably narrows down the employment avenues of the local populace. In such a scenario, there can arise a clash of interest between the migrant workers and the host population.

On the other hand, a number of qualified Manipuri professionals are also earning their livelihood not only in other States of the country but in other countries, notably the US and Europe. In short they have also gone in search of greener pastures.

Fortunately so far we have not seen a mass upsurge against the ever increasing number of migrant workers in Manipur, but yes there have been sporadic targeting and killings of these migrant workers in the last three years. This is what the RPF pointed out to explain their stand.

With some elements targeting them and with the State unable to protect them, plus the growing distrust between the locals and the migrant workers, due to the excesses of the Central security forces, it would be best for them to leave Manipur for good and May 31 was the deadline set by them. This is their explanation.

Though there was no overt threat, the announcement by the RPF did set off the alarm bell and the tension and fear psychosis prevailing amongst the non-locals can only be imagined.

Moreover the RPF had also 'advised' the local people not rent out rooms or houses to the migrants or sell any landed properties to them. This has political overtones and it may have been guided by taking a look at the demographic profile of the State.

As things stand today, the issue has taken another turn with the Maoists stating in no uncertain terms that they would also be constrained to issue a counter ultimatum to Manipuris living or studying in the States where they operate and they do operate in as many as seven States.

Both the stand of the RPF and the Maoists is ironic in the sense that the two banned outfits have struck a tie, as announced by the RPF some time back. That they should now stand on opposite sides of the pole is somewhat confusing.

All in all, the phenomena of migration, whether across international boundaries or within a country will remain and it would be wise to try and get an understanding of such a trend before anything unwise or unethical course of action is taken up.