The joint press statement of four insurgent groups in Manipur (The Sangai Express, 06 January 2007) namely—the KCP, KYKL, PREPAK and UNLF on the contentious Tipaimukh Dam project is, somewhat, unsettling. The reaction when I first glimpsed the bolded headline "KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, UNLF ban Tipaimukh Dam" and read the report was an uneasy cough.

There was also an added unnerving sensation after noticing that some parts of the suggestions in my previous "Tipaimukh in the Quest for Survival" incidentally found a space in the said statement. One other thing that took me quite aback is that, they indeed do have the guts to diktat and advocate themselves as the rightful voice of the whole communities in Manipur.

To quote a comment I came across, "What would the Tipaimukh people say to that?" To rephrase it wider, "And what would the Naga people say to these groups becoming their voice?"

In my previous writing, I have also suggested a more sustainable mini or medium hydro project. The suggestions could be co-incidences as I alone could not be the only one who would have thought of the probable solution to the whole issues confronting the Tipaimukh Dam. It could also be a possibility that some members of these underground groups might have come across my simple reasoning on the controversial project. Maybe they liked the propositions I offered and so decided to include it in their groups' larger "interests".

To tell the truth, there is no feel-good factor in trying to dig that in. A chilling hope that clings to the mood is that, I do not become labelled or implicated as being working in cohort with any of these armed militant groups. There is also that other paranoia that does not go well in the joint statement—the why behind the diktat. That "why" loom large and obstruct a clear understanding of the reasons for the need of these groups to come out with a statement.

This writing attempts to raise, make out and understand that. It would also try to unravel whether the Tipaimukh Dam issue would become embroiled into more complexity by the decree of these, obviously wannabe, new but old players in the politics of Tipaimukh.

Not to intend it as a repetition, it would be worthy to note that, of the four armed insurgent groups in the joint statement, there are two groups (UNLF and KCP) who were involved in human rights abuses in the Tipaimukh last year in 2006. Incidentally, it was on this same date but last year that the massive human rights abuse occurred in the Tipaimukh areas.

Unfortunately for the UNLF and KCP, ever since that incident both had been at the receiving end with many of their high profile leaders and cadres being either killed or apprehended. Not only that, the unwanted incident had deeply smeared their reputation and policies. It looks as though Tipaimukh in 2006 was a bad omen for the perpetrators.

The perpetrating groups need a big break, more than what KITKAT would be able to offer them. Since then, these armed groups have always been on the lookout for opportunities that would serve them and nurse back their limping limbs. It should not be considered a surprising new thing that they have now at last voiced their "concern" on the Tipaimukh Dam project. I should say the already expected had rather come out late.

For the past many months now, opposition to the Tipaimukh Dam project has gained momentum 'popularly'. Of late, the project has become the centre of attraction for the media and concern of the masses in regional and national arenas. It is indeed unfortunate though, that there is no stress on the socio-economic scenarios in the Tipaimukh areas. It would do well for the purpose of the Tipaimukh Dam project that unbiased media and civil society groups visit and get an on the spot actual pitiable condition gnawing these areas to understand and find solution to the impending problem.

As for the hydro project, I do have a cloudy apprehension on the hugely glorified developmental pace the project is said to bring forth to the region. Such is the effectiveness of the government on project works that this controversial project would meet the same fate as others already faced. Rampant corruption and gun-welding "robinhoods" will have their tongue-wagging glory days ahead.

As of till date and if not wrong, the proclaimed stand taken by the four armed insurgent groups is the first stand taken publicly by non-state actors on the issue of the Tipaimukh Dam. As pointed out in my last writing, some of the opined view may have been true after all.

It may be that, with the "forced removal" of some of the militant outfits' concentration and power in the Tipaimukh areas, the stalemate has changed. Now, for these groups, there is less to loose by the fast-faced moves of the puppet Manipur government and the Centre government.

If we are to ask the reasons behind the ban statement of the militant groups, nothing good can be thought up of. With the change of events and their foiled policies, the Tipaimukh Dam seems to offer a safe refuge for their ever-declining popularity. For these groups, the controversial project presented them something to re-jumpstart their disastrous policy.

The motives behind for these groups could be—to be in the good book of the 'masses', which would 'empower' them more with their unresisting support. Can that be a good intention when the Tipaimukh villagers are deprived of everything human?

The motive behind is so clear-cut; it just makes one want to shrink inside one's nail. These groups could have done better had they check their 'concern' and remain absolutely silent on the issue of the Tipaimukh Dam.

The intention to takeover the project issue from the people is so outrageously foolish; there are second thoughts on their going underground at the first place. Even if they achieved what they believed they set out to do, it would be a total failure to be ruled by such naïve leaderships.

Their supporters really need to do a re-look on the potentials of those they are backing. This great blunder should be rectified as far as changing even the name of these groups whose organisations' names could already be an omen, just as the Tipaimukh might already have become, for the superstitious.

Moreover, the diktat gives the impressions that the four underground groups are planning, in their own ill-crafted tactics, to drive a wedge between hill communities in Manipur. This interference in the Tipaimukh Dam project also indicates that they do not want to be left too far behind by such controversy that the hydro project in Tipaimukh aroused. That also further tells us that the ban statement is also a publicity stunt strategy to muster the support of those many people against the project.

To sum up the groups' statement, it is simply ugly—an action that is not only a bad decision and approach, but also a naïve and unappreciated intrusion against a democratic movement of the people. Also, if we were to ask whether it would be a good progress in entrusting the armed insurgent groups to be the voice of the 'people' in the Tipaimukh Dam issue, it would do best not to even bring up that question as their interference would only destroy and disrupt the whole issues confronting the Tipaimukh Dam.

This intrusion is not only sinister in its design; it would also prove to be disastrous for those dissidents fighting against the Tipaimukh Dam project. The statement would not only backfire for those anti-Tipaimukh Dam activists, who are protesting the imposition of the dam project through democratic means. It would also give the government an excuse to further strengthen its muscles to see through its deemed project.

The attempted hijacking of the dam issue by the armed militant groups would further pose complication to the democratic push, for all concerned. Also, there is that chance that would completely silence the voices of the people with the involvement of armed groups in the issue. There is also a danger that the anti-dam activists would be implicated as working hand in hand with the armed groups and would be labelled as militants by government agencies.

Mentioning that, it might be a little far-fetched but could even be a possibility that, this unappreciated intrusion in the Tipaimukh Dam issue, is the most recent lethal scheme of these rebels to recruit new members for their armed groups. Who really knows, they might have already done exactly that. I am becoming paranoid.