Unity Rally : Path to negotiation and reconciliation ?
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 08 2016 -

The February 6 event would be highly significant and it would have far-reaching implications.

A joint committee formed by the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), the United Committee Manipur (UCM) and the Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) has declared that they will hold a mass rally on February 6, 2016.

The joint committee has gone on record that the mass rally is aimed at forging unity and solidarity among the indigenous communities of Manipur.

If we must quote the joint committee, it runs like this, “The main objective of holding the mass rally is to show to the world that no power can disunite the people of Manipur”.

To be frank, the joint committee sounds quite impressive. If we look back at the genesis of AMUCO and UCM, there is no doubt that they are the champions of Manipur’s territorial integrity.

The largest ever mass rally witnessed in the modern history of Manipur was that of August 4, 1997 when lakhs of people rallied for the integrity of Manipur soon after a ceasefire pact was signed between NSCN-IM and Government of India on August 1, 1997.

It was none other than AMUCO which orchestrated the mammoth rally.

The UCM was the brain behind the historic civil movement of June 2001 which compelled the Government of India to delete the words “without territorial limits” from the Bangkok Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM.

We are re-visiting the two historic events in our search for an answer to the question “Why do the two apex civil society organisations feel the need for such a unity rally?”

No doubt different communities living in the State of Manipur share an organic relationship. At the same time we must admit that the socio-political fabric called Manipur is being pulled apart by ethno-centric politics.

No keen observer can miss the fact that there are deep lines of division over the demand for integration of Naga inhabited areas and the three controversial Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly purportedly for protection of indigenous people from large scale incessant influx.

Having said this, we are not undermining the socio-political significance and merits of the proposed rally. In fact, such a rally is long overdue.

It should be a rallying point to promote and consolidate the pluralistic character of Manipuri society. The rally should not be given the picture of show of strength by a particular community.

Rather it should be so articulated that it paves way for a new political path which goes beyond rhetoric and ethnic politics.

Rhetoric says that these divisive politics are founded on the phenomena of dominant majority and subjugated minority.

This rhetoric may or may not have its own logic but we would suggest negotiation and reconciliation rather than drawing lines or ethnic boundaries.

At the same time, visionary planning and honest efforts are crucial to remove ‘insecurity complexes’ of minority communities whether perceived or real. Internal divisions and infighting cannot go on forever.

It must be resolved and stopped once for all. Internal conflicts and mutual distrust cannot be a way of life. We are all on the same boat.

Propelling the boat in different directions at the same time will be suicidal.

Contradictions and incompatibility should not be allowed to ruin the geo-political entity called Manipur.

All parties must keep the room for negotiation open and all groups must be ready to reconcile whatever differences that exist among the indigenous people of the land.

We hope the rally provides a meaningful opportunity to thrash out all internal differences, misunderstandings and conflicts.

What a historic accomplishment it will be if the proposed rally can open a new vista for a common future of all communities of Manipur.