Manipur is unbreakable, statehood demand impractical: Scholars
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 23 2013: In the wake of Kuki State Demand Committee's (KSDC) assertion for a separate Kuki state to be carved out of present Manipur, scholars from various communities have opined that Manipur is unbreakable and the demand for separate statehood is impractical.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, they also maintained that 'we need to bring about emotional integrity among the different groups of people living in Manipur' and 'Meetei should take a pro-active role in this regard' .

Tathang Vaiphei, who is an Assistant Professor in the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Manipur University, observed that since we are the citizen of a democratic country, each and every citizen has the right to form organization, opinion, etc.

But the issue of separation in Manipur has come about because of lack of emotional integrity among the people of different communities residing in the state.

Stating that equal development in all parts of Manipur is impossible but there could be equal opportunity to all the communities, Tathang Vaiphei said that when there is emotional integrity there would be always mutual understanding among the different communities.

The present demand for separate states is the outcome of discontentment among the minority and underprivileged communities of the society, who have been left out of the race for development due to negligence by the Government.

So, the state government should try to ensure equal opportunity to all the communities in the state.

Moreover, we (people of Manipur) have to look and think for peaceful co-existence among themselves, Tathang Vaiphei told Hueiyen Lanpao.

"We have certain rights and duties to be performed as citizens of democratic India, but without performing our duties we could not demand our rights," he added.

Tathang Vaiphei also pointed out that some of the people; especially MLAs and social activists who are supposed to represent the people of Manipur are playing their own cards to disintegrate Manipur for their own personal gain.

Giving his observance to the demand for separate state by some communities, Retd IAS officer A R Khan said that Manipur have more than 30 communities and so deciding geographical boundaries based on ethnic identity is impractical and not viable.

The present state boundary of Manipur has been marked by the then British government, and it's "unbreakable", he maintained.

AR Khan asserted that demands for separate states would affect the socio-political and economy of Manipur and need to quell it down timely before the entire people suffer from such "illogical, unethical and impractical" demands.

Highlighting the problems faced by people of Manipur during economic blockade and Bandh along the National Highways (NH), Retired Administrative Office of Manipur Pollution Control Board R K Jaysana said that NHs are not only the lifeline but also the supplier of all knowledge.

So, the Government should enact a law prevent imposition of economic blockade and bandh as a means to press demands.

He also appealed to all the communities not to do any act that might cause communal disharmony and separation among the people.

Assistant Professor Jacob Luiram of History Department, Manipur University, pointed out that it's the role of government to provide equal opportunities to all the communities in Manipur and Meetei being the predominant community should like an elder brother in taking a pro-active role in bringing harmony and integrity in the state.

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