Terror Greets Another August

Seram Neken *

A sit in protest underway on August 04 2011 against the Sangakpham blast

"Security lapses have surfaced again. Unfortunate incidents remind us of the verbatim promises of preventive strategy for installation of CCTV equipment in the Imphal city, as promised by the government when Sanjit and Rabina murder case occurred two years ago.

Nothing of the sort is yet to be materialized. Security agencies and personnel strayed at the nook and corner of the city in huge numbers have been caught napping time and again, as what should not happen have happened many a times in broad daylight and in crowded places.

Only after unfortunate incidents have rendered loss of valuable lives and properties, agencies seem concerned and alerted. Security policy in the state has obviously failed to protect its people and property on a long run."
– Writes Seram Neken

August every year has a hectic schedule in Manipur. On the first day of August 2010, the United Naga Council announced resumption of ANSAM sponsored temporarily suspended 68-day highway economic blockade. The people of the state revolted against the notoriety of such disturbances in their lifelines.

At the dawn of August 2009, the infamous 'Tehelka Expose' in the form of 'Murder in plain sight' erupted people's uprising against the alleged extra-judicial indulgence of the security personnel.

On first August last, terror greeted the visiting month with a powerful bomb blast ending the lives of five people including two kids and seriously wounding many others on the spot. Claims and counter claims have filled the front-pages of Manipur dailies, as the government blamed the NSCN(IM) of the handiwork and the later disowned the blast.

The criminality of the NSCN (IM) as evident in a series of violent activities in the recent past has well led to the presumption of the people that the blast was its handiwork. In April last, it ambushed the cavalcade of MLA Wungnao-shang Keishing killing eight and injuring seven Manipur Rifles personnel.

A powerful bomb blast was triggered in front of the ADC office complex at Khuman Lampak leaving three members of a family injured on May 28 last. A bomb fitted in a scooter at Sangakpham Bazar was found on July 9 last. And a couple was killed at Lungphu village in Ukhrul district on July 24. The MDC office at Ukhrul was attacked with hand grenades on July 23.

Long queues this August here and there indicate the homecoming of the notorious economic blockade in the Manipur highways. Even as the law of the land stands against the blockade of highways for one or the other demands of groups, various groups still use it as a means to express and redress their grievances.

No concrete action against the law breakers has been seen so far. There has not been any report of arrest and trial of a single blockade supporter in Manipur hills during the past many years, as contradictory to the government actions against the protesters of any sort in the valley areas.

Nevertheless, highway blockade is against the people of the state and humanity itself. Frequent economic blockade on the lifeline highways for one or the other matter is an open violation of human rights of the affected people. It obstructs inflow of essential commodities including life-saving drugs thereby threatening the very existence of millions of human beings inhibiting both the hills and the valley of Manipur. Whatsoever is the grievance of the protesters, there is no justification to resort to blockading people's lifelines.

August seems synonymous with patriotism coupled with violence episodes in Manipur. 13th of August is a red letter day for all Manipuris. It is on this day that two gallant sons of Manipur, Jubraj Takendrajit Bir Singh and Thangal General made the supreme sacrifices of their lives for the love of their beloved country 'Manipur'.

In the evening of 13th August 1891, the British hanged them in public at Imphal Polo ground. In the state's recent history, the apex body of students All Manipur Students Union was born on 28th August 1965, the very next day of the infamous Hunger Marchers Day.

During this infamous uprising of 27th August 1965, many students laid down their lives in police firing while protesting against non-availability of rice due to artificial famine in the state. The Day is still remembered with observances marking the defeat of ruthless anti-people attitude of the then rulers.

August 4 every year is observed as Manipur Integrity Day by the All Manipur United Clubs` Organisation (AMUCO) by paying tributes to the martyrs of infamous June 18 uprising who laid down their lives for the territorial integrity and unity of Manipur. August will ever haunt the minds of people around the globe particularly Manipuris here to redefine patriotism and their craze for love of humanity. The social organization 'United People's Front' observes its birthday on 28th August every year.

It is in this hot month that people's movements around the globe met its maturity. A host of world nations gained independence from foreign occupancy in the month of August in different years. Ecuador became a free country on 10th August 1822 and Uruguay gained independence from Brazil on 25th August 1825. After years of struggle, Bolivia became a republic on 6th August 1825.

Korea, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia celebrate their independence days in the month of August. Hawaii became the 50th state of United States on 21st August 1959. Veitnam's revolution succeeded on 19th August 1945. Gandhiji's Quit India movement materialized on 9th August 1942. India gained Independence on 15th August 1947 with the formation of Pakistan as a Muslim state.

Manipur, as a nation celebrate its independence day on 14th August every year. August also experienced greatest tragedies. The memory of August 6 and August 9 bombings on Hirosima and Nagasaki, 1945 still lingers in the minds of peace loving people of the globe. After these greatest crimes against humanity, Japan declared unconditional surrender on August 15.

Patriotism means love of motherland which may be demonstrated in the form of unity, love and co-existence among the various brethren. Love of a country means caring for its people. That love is reflected in ensuring security of life and not in bringing in material progress and temporal developments only.

Right from remembering Quit India slogans to celebrating countries independence, from paying homage to state's martyrs to observing Hunger Marchers' day - August is a hectic time for leaders of various categories to express love for the motherland and its people.

Leaders will deliver beautiful speeches with their charming oration all over the state during this month's observances. Is it really from the heart or just a display of oratory excellence that these leaders will shout during observances, we need to observe carefully.

Patriotism has a different meaning to the Manipuris. Love of motherland means love of co-existence. It cannot be defined without a sense of love, integrity and co-existence among the various sections of people residing in the hills and valley of the state.

Manipuri patriotism should not be sensed as patriotism of Meiteis, Nagas or Kukis as Manipur can never be described with only one community. It is truly a composite society. A leader's amount of patriotism can be gauged with its sincerity to uphold the integrated and harmonious existence of the different sections of people.

(This article is filed under RK Maipaksana Journalists Fellowship)