The Philosophies Of Ethnic Divides In North East India
With Special Reference To Manipur - An Emerging Trend
- Part 1 -

Dr. Priyadarshni M. Gangte *

Ethnic communities of Manipur on 64th Indian Republic Day 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Introduction:

Manipur is a State having a geographical area of 22,327 sq. km of which 1/10 is valley and 9/10 hill area inhabited by three major communities- the Meiteis (Meetei), the Nagas and Kukis and some minor communities such as the Meitei Pangal and Nepalis. Unlike the earlier time, all the ethnic communities have been affecting by the geographical impact of the prevailing socio-political disorder. General people consider wealthy people as leader and hardly border about their background. The notion and essence of value is almost absent from the mindset of the masses. Security of all kinds is relatively failed. There is no participation in the development process. Everyone of us are highly ethno centric due to the seed sowed by the colonial administrators, non-practiced of multiculturalism and hypnotized environment.

Socio-cultural transformation among dwellers of Hills and Valley should be nurtured, adopted and maintained. As a matter of fact, Government should adopt popular participation as a basic policy- measure in development strategy. Deprivation of socio-economic and political sphere of individuals has compelled to resort to discontentment in Manipur.

The issue of "have and have not" and "due share" should be justifiably considered and implemented transparently. The claims and counter claims over proclaimed prides egoism, domination and social forwardness between the hill and valley dwellers might have not been discussed openly even though we have been living together since time immemorial. Both of them seldom think about promoting the spirit of oneness and generally live apart.

Thus, the Government should encourage the widest possible nurture participation of all communities in setting goals, formulating policies and implementing plans in the desired manner.

Manipur State having a geographical area of 22327 sq km of which one tenth is valley and nine tenth is hill area. According to 2011 census, the total population of the State is 2,721,756. It is a State of economic backward but a land of nature bounty with natural resources of all kinds including human resources and a rich cultural heritages belonging to indigenous ethnic groups who have been living together in the State since time immemorial.

Yet, in spite of its vast natural resources and human potentialities it has ever produced from its own soil, the State and the citizens of different stratas status including weaker sections, backward classes and destitute children and women have remained underdeveloped and finding themselves with lagging behind all infrastructure facilities in all fronts. This might have happened for the failure of authorities to adequately harness and utilize resources available in a manner that can give sustainable to socio-economic development of the people as well as planning development of the State.

A prolong negligence and lack of concrete initiatives for development over decades has now resulted in plaguing the State with manifold problems on various issues ranging from land dispute, administration conflict, ethnic issue and lack of effective governance in different parts of the State and even to drag a petty case unnecessarily on communal line whenever it is raised up.

In addition, the ever increasing population without multiculturalism and lack of generating adequate employment has also further worsened the complexities, thereby creating anarchy and chaotic in all walks of life, and with no sign of getting a relief from such critical issues in a near future are in fact do not bide for the socio-cultural transformation of all the weaker sections is not in the line of social reality. Right to life or death?: For Bharat Both Cannot be Right.

Moreover, the Government of India, following the legacy of British Colonial administration, in its Constitution (Scheduled Tribes, Part (State) Orders 1957) notified the Scheduled Tribe. List of Manipur as (I) Any Kuki Tribe (II) Any Naga Tribe and (III) Any Lushai Tribes without making any mention of ethnic names of the different tribes. This has again resulted in the polarization of the tribes into the Nagas and the Kukis, for the constitutional compulsion made the tribes to identify themselves as either the Naga or Kuki so that they could get the constitutional safeguard.

Manipur, despite its different names such as the 'Paradise on earth,' 'Switzerland of the East' 'Land of Jewels' etc inhabited by different ethnic communities who are basically Mongoloids is now turning into a land of Self-inflicted mayhem, waywardness and confusion. People are of the utmost ethnic divides ranging from remote villagers to the urban elites, the weak and the mighty all live in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty.

Majority in community and tribe asserted its dominance over the areas of their stronghold whereas the minor communities and tribes are hopelessly suppressed and deprived of their natural rights in different ways. Political and budding young leaders stoke communal passion for their personal benefits and political exigencies. The spirit of honesty and belongingness to the land is hardly respected and is no longer considered as "Individual Interest" has completely overpowered the public psyche.

People look for the easiest and shortest way of making money and most luxurious style of living without slightest concern of the fairness of the reasons and means they landed to and to bring to complete stop. The Manipur State Mental Health Authority in one of its reports in 2012 stated that about 50 percent of the population is suffering from depression due to law and order related problems4.

The State is also haunted by the severe degradation of environment, deforestation and displacement of people and their source of livelihood in the name of modern development projects such as the Loktak Project, Khuga Dam, Mapithel Dam, and Khoupum Dam. Thousands of settlers are homeless with no proper compensation and rehabilitation even after so many years of completion of these projects. The real settlers and dwellers are displaced and deprived of their rights and never benefited from these multipurpose dams and projects except politicians, contractors, high ranking to petty officials of the concerned department of the Governments.5 It is empirical fact that the contention of Rajiv Gandhi,

"Development is not about factories, dams and roads alone. Development is about people. The goal is material, cultural, and spiritual fulfillment for people. The human factor is of supreme value in development."

Some of the key factors to extremity of ethnic divide:

1. Administration: We find it for nobody to blame for the reasons unknown at present what was happening around us today. Indeed, the facet of the present society in terms of ideological differences and growing distrusts among different communities on various outstanding issues concerning general public welfare are nothing but it may be attributed to the legacy of past governance and absence of single administrative structure in the State; when traces it back the origin of administrative systems which were prevalent in the Hills and Valley before the State was merged with the Union of India in 1949. As such, this aged old hegemony of governance based on customary laws for devoid or oppressive to public administration, has still continued to influence the activities and lifestyle of the people within their communities even after democracy came into existence.

However, it may also be noted that while the State was already confronting with the issues of declaring the status of Sadar Hills and Jiribam Sub-division as full-fledged Revenue District, there also arises a number of demands for creation of new Revenue District by clubbing together of some Sub-divisions in the hill areas in the name of administrative conveniences and developmental purposes. Some of these demands for creation of new districts include Phungyar Sub-division out of Ukhrul District, Tengnoupal Sub-division out of Chandel District, Tonjil Marin to be bifurcated from Tamenglong District. All these demands have taken place in the hearts of all parties concerned resulting from lack of effective governance and timely intervention on many issues pertaining to local administration and socio-economic development of the local people on the part of Government.

It is, therefore, these barriers and divisions of man made between communities and individuals can only be removed from the face of the society as and when rule of democracy is effectively strengthened at grass root level with the help of all sections of the society, so that the sense of belongingness to one nation, one composite culture and identity consciousness of unity in diversity have been promoted and achieved in a long way.

2. Industry: The absence of any major industries in the region before and after independence has not only crippled the pace of growth and development but also it has failed to keep sustaining the economy and livelihood of the people.8 The aged old practice of jhuming cultivation and agriculture alone which have contributed the main source of the State economy did not even meet the basic minimum requirement of life and existence. It may be mentioned that majority of the citizens are living below poverty line.

The cost of living is rapidly increasing day by day but the economic condition of the masses is not improving. Hence, it would be a far cry to bring changes and transformations to the society without the help and support of the industry in the midst of globalized economy.

Further, it may also be mentioned that Tourism Department in the State should be provided with adequate fund of its own for development of tourism. As the western countries have received a lot of incomes from tourism, the Tourism Department in the State can boost the same source of income, since Manipur has a good number of beautiful scenarios and places which can be identified and developed as tourist spot, so that many tourists from outside and inside can be attracted to it. This policy of developing tourism in the State may be accorded priority as it will certainly help to boost the State economy in the term perspective term.

To be continued...