The big, deadly lie about peace : The enemy within
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: September 01, 2014 -

Peace rally organised by United Naga Council (UNC) turned violent at Ukhrul district headquarters :: 30 August 2014 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Hard earned peace. Sometime this hard earned peace can yield bitter fruits.

This stands true for the people of Manipur, particularly the hill people, who have been living under a tinder box which has come cloaked as peace talk and cessation of hostilities since August 1, 1997.

Officially there is no cease fire between the Government and the Isak-Muivah faction of the NSCN, but the past years have more than amply demonstrated that this is nothing much more than what is 'officially' understood.

Sure the hostilities or gun fire between the IM faction of the NSCN and the Government forces seem to have ceased or taken a back seat, but peace as understood in its undiluted form and substance is yet to see the light of day here.

There are examples galore to illustrate the point that is being sought to be made here.

As things stand today, the people who live under the writ and diktats of the NSCN (IM) continue to live in a climate of fear and apprehension, with the writs of the outfit dictating terms and conditions.

There is no ceasefire in Manipur but it would be immature and foolish to write off the reach and influence of the outfit, particularly where their writ runs large.

As with everything that has got to do with the public, the insurrection movement has not remained static and the guns that boomed in the hills and jungles of Manipur and Nagaland have today come to mean something profoundly different.

This could not have missed the eyes and ears of the Government agencies which are here to keep Delhi informed and to be sure Delhi has left no stone unturned to pursue its political goal at the cost of the common people here.

Unfortunate it was and while our hearts go out to the bereaved family members and those injured, it should also be kept in mind that what happened at Ukhrul district headquarters on 30th August 2014 afternoon was something much more diabolical than the death of two young men and injuries suffered by at least 10 persons.

This is not to downplay the intensity of the tragedy that befell Ukhrul.

The Sangai Express will desist from stating who started the trouble at Ukhrul, but it should be more than clear to one and all that what happened there could not have been the handiwork of any amateur.

People need to be wary that there are fertile minds out there who will go to any length and transform the confrontations between the Naga rebels and the Government of India into a stand off between the aspiration of the Naga people and the Government of Manipur.

To put it bluntly this observation may be read as a clash of interest between the two major communities which have been living in Manipur together for ages.

The United Naga Council has already written to the Prime Minister squarely blaming the State Government and accusing it of pursuing a policy that is detrimental to the interest and aspirations of the Nagas of Manipur.

Newspaper readers will surely know the contents of the well drafted memorandum submitted to the office of the Prime Minister.

At least two have died and while Government agencies are there to uphold the rule of law it is upto the common people to ensure that no room is given to those who are out to exploit the situation and further their own cause.