In chaotic Manipur, the 'Naga maturity' ..... appreciated !
New Delhi
The situation in Manipur is a matter of deep concern certainly. But in the run up to the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the state in turbulence, there is a realisation that the centre must first identify the elephant in the room.
Does it need a party-run government in Imphal or does it require immediate restoration of normalcy? Is President's Rule a viable option if Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to give a firm message that a 'non-performing' Chief Minister N Biren Singh irrespective of party affiliation can be replaced?
And what next on ground --- will the forces require their basic tool to 'perform' - the AFSPA?
The provisions of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) have still not been enforced in
many vulnerable pockets. What is vital -- sheer populism or decide things according to merits and
strategies?
One broad theme message from the valleys and wilds of Manipur as of now is that there are many
'hidden agendas' and backroom players who would not like the situation to come to normal.
However, government analysts also draw some of the positive messages from the present crisis.
One refrain is irrespective of whatever is happening and in a season of rumour mongering and wild speculation in the social media, the Nagas of Manipur have displayed "a matured behavior by not getting embroiled in the communal violence between Kukis and Meities".
One is certain that things were not so simplistic. The Nagas in Manipur have their own tales of grievances and other challenges. The much talked about Naga peace talks are in a virtual stage of limbo and no oneknows what is stored for Tangkhul Nagas and other smaller Naga groups in the state of Manipur "at the end of the tunnel".
The Nagas have their own issues with Kukis and in the past they "could not trust" each other. In the mid nineties, the Naga-Kuki clashes used to be a nightmare both in Nagaland and in Manipur. In 2001 when Naga ceasefire was extended to parts of Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, the Imphal valley burnt for days.
In other words, when it comes to 'integrity' of Naga contiguous areas, there is mutual distrust between Nagas
and Meities.
There were some inherent conflicts also. While the NSCN-IM led by Thuingaleng Muivah always stood for Nagalim or Greater Nagaland; former Chief Minister of Manipur Late Rishang Keishing was all along a nationalist Congressman and who has been part of resolution of Manipur assembly that 'not an inch' of Manipur state could be compromised.
Therefore under the given situation, Nagas ought to be given credit for keeping things cool when they could have gotten emotional and excited.
"In this season of rumour mongering and intense provocation, there are people among Nagas in Manipur and right organisations who have understood the gravity of the situation and displayed maturity," says a source. This is, therefore, certainly a sign of maturity displayed during a crisis time.
Observers also believe that though ground situations are different even Kukis and Meities will have to display 'maturity' and a kind of 'calmness'.
There is yet another issue of governance or the lack of it. A deep divide in Manipur police on ethnic lines became very evident in the ongoing conflict. Of course, sources maintain that this has made "the task of Army, Assam Rifles and other CAPF units even difficult".
Over 1350 automatic weapons have been looted from police during the unrest and these certainly do not augur well for the situation and a state administration. Moreover, the roles of two organisations Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun have surfaced lately and these ought to be looked into.
Past experiences elsewhere suggest the internal security scenario and environment under 'unified Headquarters mechanism' as in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam have been very helpful and such mechanisms should be put in place in Manipur at the earliest.
The ongoing violence and communal tension in Manipur are also causes of setback to the overall development journey of Manipur. And this 'distraction' from the developmental journey is also a setback for Kukis, Nagas and other tribals in the state. One cannot draw a consolation that let Meities alone suffer.
Emerging as an 'island of peace' for sometime, Manipur under the double-engine government has experienced a lot of positive developments including pumping in of investments.
In August 2022, Manipur hosted the prestigious Durand Cup soccer tournament, Asia's oldest football tournament. Nandini Gupta from Rajasthan was crowned the Femina Miss India 2023 title at the starry grand finale held in Manipur.
In other words, the good works and achievements of the Biren Singh ministry too have been jeopardised.
Efforts have been made by certain quarters that Kukis and Nagas can do business together as both are tribals
and are also Christians. And as Meities are Hindu majority, there were narratives in circulation vis-a-vis
the religion angle the Hindu-Christian divide. But here too, the Nagas have maintained a safe distance.
As tribals, the Nagas of Manipur could sympathise with Kukis but they will have their own independent
road map vis-a-vis their relations with Imphal on the twin fronts of administration and also people to people
relationships.
In all these chaotic scenes and hard work involved to prevent things from deteriorating further, the governance
and politico-administrative decision also comes into play. There is a merit in believing that it may not be
wise to force Biren Singh to resign as he could emerge as a 'martyr' to the cause of Meities.
An old management theory is to keep the 'same man/woman at the top' who is responsible for creating the mess;
and let him or her resolve the problem. In the meantime the decision of those who matter in appointment
of former IPS officer Kudeep Singh as the security advisor has also come in for closer scrutiny.
Maybe a former army man would have done the job better, more so because a man in olive green
can command more respect from the footsoldiers. In Manipur itself ex-military officers are available
and their services could be enlisted.
It is also high time, people concerned appreciate what the officers and soldiers of Assam Rifles and Army
have done during the initial phase when the trouble started.
To sum up, one can say the state of Manipur as a whole and three segments of societies -- the Meities,
the Kukis and Nagas - cannot be seen flirting dangerously with civil unrest. The northeastern region has seen
enough of such clashes and enough of so-called 'cleansing'.
Forget tribals-non tribals; episodes like the Reang-Mizo differences and Naga-Kuki issues of the 1990s
were really unfortunate.
It is time sanity prevails and the 'sincerity' displayed by all will be important achievements; and more so for the
government(s) of the day both in Imphal and in New Delhi.
One is aware of the strong elements of 'us' and 'they' syndromes in the region. Some years back while
working on these inherent issues between two and more communities in another northeastern
state (not Manipur), I was told by an expert that the 'logic of us and the ideology of others' motivates
the root cause of identity politics in the north east. And here lies the real challenge.
ends
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