Can a 'mirror' be deceptive as well ?
For historical reasons, an overwhelming number of Nagas had developed a great fascination for China.
And like every good thing in life; sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not.
But there is a need for a great emphasis on the following Chinese saying --
"If you don't know how to smile, don't open a shop."
What is the need of such a metaphysical manner of explanation would be understood soon.
The bitter truth is Nagas of Manipur are in a dilemma. And that's actually a very modest way of putting things across.
The Kukis are demanding a separate administrative 'homeland'. As expected, the Meiteis are furious about it and are strongly opposing the division of Manipur state.
On one side, Delhi may be clueless on many matters. But the Nagas of Manipur now believe their 'time' for real reckoning has come.
The Nagalim was a good dream planted a few decades back. It worked as a miracle and even the Kukis were thrashed and killed in the 1990s - both in Nagaland and in Manipur.
But today, things have changed..... water has flown across river Dhansiri and also streams and lakes in Manipur. The 2023 Meitei-Kuki clashes have changed things a lot.
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| Amit Shah with Nagaland Ministers - Nov 22, 2024 : Was this more than just a crucial meet ? |
Hence in December 2024, the Nagas of Manipr are apprehensive -- if they miss the bus this time about any 'homeland''; the minimum impact will be they will remain 'aloof' from the ground reality vis-a-vis a very challenging scenario.
The United Naga Council (UNC) is an organisation that has always kept its feet on ground. Dream merchants including from Kohima did not influence their road maps vis-a-vis political discourse and social developments.
Far off from the wilds of north east, the New Delhi mandarins claim they are keeping an eye on ups and downs, coming and going etc etc.
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| forces to 'control' Manipur mess |
"We presume protagonists are seeing the other side of the coin.... the handle of the sword is now on the wrong side.... Our understanding is the UNC is coming under pressure to share their understanding of the Manipur mess and the community's immediate and long-term fate with the NSCN-IM," suggested an insider.
This implies probably the 'potent' militant organisation - which had taken up the cause of 'greater Nagalim' with all enthusiasm is now growing "wary" of the tripartite talks being held in Manipur.
In 2023, the Manipur Nagas said - Meiteis are their brothers. It was a smart as well as a very practical stance.
The vigorous campaign that the Hindutva forces were targeting Christians (Kukis) did not cut much ice with the Nagas.
This had left Kukis and their 'tribal and Christian' card balloon pricked.
Nevertheless in Dimapur region, Deputy Ato Kilonser of NSCN-IM held a meeting with a few important UNC leaders. The deliberations remained inclusive on the first round.
And for the second round of talks it seems suave and soft-spoken former spokesman Rh Raising also joined the deliberations on Dec 2 or 3.
New Delhi analysts say in fact the UNC leaders were summoned by the NSCN-IM. Hooever, this claim could not be confirmed independently.
N G Lorho, President UNC, Vareiyo Shetsang - general secy, Samson Remei, Paul Leo, A. Lorho and President ANSAM, Bruce Rangnmei, reportedly attended the crucial Dimapur meeting with NSCN-IM top guns.
It is also being claimed that the NSCN-IM will oversee the developments related to Tripartite talks and the matters concerning Nagas of Manipur and hence a panel of key leaders has been set up as well.
But things have been made complicated by certain developments. The Govt of India has been very firm about certain key demands of Naga militants -
-- No Flag, No separate Constitution and No 'integration' of Nagas areas - that is no Nagalim.
This implies -- the present geography of Manipur state will not be disturbed.
Well, Meiteis would be happy about it. Only recently, the community showed their 'unity of purpose' when a helpless looking former Home Minister of India and quite an influential Congress leader, P Chidambaram, had to delete his tweet.
Even Naga leaders of Manipur understand this hard fact of life. Old timers say even seasoned Congressman Rishang Keishing understood that and his words of counseling to all stakeholders has been -- "Let us live in peace and harmony with the Meiteis".
The fracas and violent clashes of 2000 between Nagas and Meiteis ran in contradiction to this argument of a wise leader Rishang Keishing.
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| Rishang Keishing |
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| In Parliament premises: A member of India's first Lok Sabha |
His interview/interaction with me for 'The Statesman' newspaper in 2009 was an educative journey for me. Of course, there was no sensational headline or so.
Our interaction was quite friendly. To one of my questions, will he stick to the 'nationalist agenda' vis-a-vis Naga peace talks, as well, Rishang Keishing - then 89 - almost reprimanded me,
-- "Why I should not? Why doesn't everyone realize that this country, India has given enough to Nagas and other northeastern people".
"If you are saying or doing anything on going outside Indian framework and sovereignty, I will have nothing to do with it. Any solution has to be within the constitutional framework and acceptable to all concerned," he had said.
I knew, Rishang Keishing had backed 'unity' of Manipur more than once and I should have realised then that some issues often work as the last citadel.
And as the inevitability factor works on; - every citadel has to collapse one day.
ends
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| Life is all about playing the right cards |
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