MY MANIPUR AND YOUR MANIPUR

The two National highways (lifelines of Manipur) are blocked in the hope that the Government of Manipur might at least reconsider the voice of the hill people: the SPF Government has chosen to go on playing the role of being blind and deaf. The present turmoil in Manipur is symbolic of powerplay between the majority Meitei and the minority tribals which has plagued Manipur for too long. Tribal MLAs practically has no voice in a house of sixty where two third are Meiteis. What the tribals want, the Meiteis voted to abhore. Whatever the meiteis do in many ways turn out to be hurting for the minority group. There are differences that have not been filled at all. Are we genuinely listening to each other leaving aside our egos and self interest?

You're "hao" that was what meiteis called me and my friends. Yes, I dont deny that because I am a Naga and I am from the hills. You are a "hao" and so you are "mange" (an untouchable) that's how the yesteryear Nagas were treated. I was kind of thinking we've finally grown out of that stereo typing cocoon where we categorize people. Well, it seems the attitude lives on in some other form. We all have aspirations both as individuals and as a group. Nagas as a race, sure do have this and no doubt Meiteis have their own. It was according to what they think and percieve that they called us "hao." Nagas accepted the name unconsciously. That was in the past. Now, Is it wise to think that the Nagas would accept dictations unconsciously even today like the way they did in the past? This is exactly what the Goverment of Manipur seems to have done to the Nagas and is doing with more intent lately. Meiteis also are ever ready to dictate the fate and distort the aspiration and history of the Nagas. What do the Government of Manipur and Meiteis have against Th Muivah or Naga revolutionary groups? Meiteis have scores of revolutionary groups. Have the Nagas at any point of time spoken against the leaders of Meitei revolutionary groups, their leaders and their ideologies? A big "No" must be the answer. Licking one's own wound might be the better way to heal faster than rubbing salt on others wound and getting the same treatment.

Meiteis have gone a step further this time by calling Th Muivah a "criminal." That was a bold statement as usual because meiteis apparently are good at harping on their views and opinion and consider them next to something devine. Imposing these views and opinion on others is just the subsequent step. To the Nagas, Th Muivah is a fatherly figure because of fearlessly challenging the forces that have oppressed and abused the Nagas for decades. Nagas' support for this exemplary leader have not waned and never would. If what the Nagas consider as a great guide and a leader is being labelled as a criminal by someone who claims to be a neighbor; how possibly can we conclude that the two are good neighbors? Sorry, I don't know how to write in a more diplomatic style. However, everything that have happened in the past and the recent past suggest, the meiteis never listen to the voice of the hill people, whom they ironically call as their brothers. Muivah, to the Nagas is a liberator, which the meiteis consciously choose not to acknowledge. Whatever the Nagas want, think, or desire are/were always ignored taking the advantage of being more populous and for being near to the power hub.

The Government of Manipur, which also is Meitei dominated is showcasing the replicated reality of typical meitei attitude toward the Nagas. The present economic blockade is affecting not only the valley people, but the hills are equally going through the same hardships. However, the Government is concerned only about the possible hunger and starvation in the valley. To avoid this from happening, some ministers are praised for sneaking through the blockade to bring foodstuff and medicines. Has the government of Manipur done something of this sort for the hill people? Forget siphoning off/misappropriating hill developmental fund to make the valley glow while the hills are left in a dark dungeon. Go to the hills and see the pathetic condition of roads, schools and hospitals. Did the government even once care about the well being of the hill people? If "never" is the answer, which I know for sure is; what is there for the Nagas in Manipur to feel the pride of belongingness? Good that the Naga movement was there long before drawing the misnomer boundary of Manipur: atleast the Nagas have hope of deliverance and uniting once again though separated/suppressed by both the British and India.

Coming to something that is reality, go anywhere in India or abroad and ask someone from Manipur; what are you?only the meiteis would say he/she is a Manipuri. Tribals from Manipur prefer saying kuki, naga,etc. That is the emotional attachment (integrity) of Manipur. There is no logic in sloganeering about territorial integrity when people do not have the feeling of belongingness.

There would be many people who would fume on reading this piece of unpolished write up. Why do we need to be diplomatic in expressing what we really feel? If we don't understand each other, it simply means that one of the parties have consciously decided to dictate their thoughts on the other. This is what the government of Manipur has done to the Nagas in barring Th Muivah's entry to Manipur. Ironically, Somdal the birthplace of Muivah where he intends to come back after decades is in the present state of Manipur. It is good Ibobi Singh and his cabinet ministers assumed that Naga struggle is confined to Nagaland and that Th Muivah is fighting for the cause of Nagaland state alone. This assumption now makes Somdal and the whole of Naga inhabited areas part of Nagaland logically. Why else should they deny entry if they are aware that Somdal is in Manipur? The host of ministers headed by Ibobi Singh in appeasing the Meiteis have yet again ignored the Constitution of India and thereby wronged not only Muivah but the whole Nagas.

May 6th Mao carnage also proves that Naga inhabited areas in Manipur do not belong to Manipur. Why else should Manipur arm forces open fire on peaceful protestors whom they should consider as their brethen? Most of the wounded were treated in Kohima and elsewhere in Nagaland, not Manipur. The displaced ran to Nagaland and not to other places in Manipur. Why?? This shows how much the Nagas in Manipur are attached to Manipur in reality.

When innocent Nagas were gunned down, not a single minister budged from their chairs. But when there was the need for food to feed those people on the valley, a cabinet minister personally intervened and escorted back stranded food loaded trucks. Heroic indeed. What would a Naga percieve from this otherwise heroic act being applauded by the Meiteis? You could have done that as well for the innocent Nagas who have suffered for decades.

It is only natural for both Meiteis and Nagas to think that each of them are right. There is no meeting point for the word lashing and mud slinging happening at present. Nagas claim they have a history, and Meiteis have another version of history to keep the Nagas caged forever. The question for now is to either accept the one written by the victorious or the subjugated? History says that the present boundary of Manipur is just a scrap of the glorious empire of past Maharajas. Some part of Naga inhabited areas in Manipur and even some part of Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal may once be under some Maharaja. Does this give the Meiteis the right to claim that all those parts rightfully belongs to Manipur? Greece is not claiming major parts of Asia because of the conquest of Alexander the Great. Nagas may support if Meiteis claim a greater Manipur demanding the inclusion of Kabaw valley and some parts in Assam inhabited by the Meiteis and giving away Naga inhabited areas to the Nagas. That looks like a fair deal and a more politically correct claim than shouting about Manipur Integrity.

It is simply natural for people having the same history to think, act and react in the same way. If the Meiteis and Nagas don't have that commonality, the implication is we were, are and will always be different. It is not only wrong to impose ones thought/history on the other at the cost of the other's, it is unnatural. Meiteis have willlingly ignored the cause of the Nagas for which many lives have been sacrificed. What is suffering for one turns out something of a triumph for the other. What do we have in common that can hold us together?

Manipur indeed look and feel different for those who live in the valley and the hills! I have eyes to see, ears to hear and the right to write what I have seen and what I can feel