|
Manipuri people
Dear Sir,
Thanks for your timely webcast of the events in Manipur.
As other readers have suggested that the viewpoints from
both sides should be published with best correct
information with sources (even anonymous information).
Also, please include only the first name of respondents
to your feedback while posting. There are people on both
sides who may misuse the names (last names) for personal
gains in this tug of war in the internet. And you should
mention that no one can use the contents without written
agreement form Manipuronline. The feedback may just be a
personal mail and the writer may not wish to publish it
in the internet. You should make sure that the writer
does not object to general viewing of his message.
Regarding the extension of ceasefire to Manipur and the
support of the Naga tribes of Manipur to it, that is for
some time. Also, the aftermath of this extension of
ceasefire to Manipur is also known to both sides and the
Government of India and NSCN-IM. The creation of
conflict between different parties will be always
welcome by the Indian Government. This way the Naga's
issue will not be solved and Manipur will be in turmoil
always. It should also be noted that Manipur is not a
creation of the Indian Government and they will also
have constitutional difficulty to disintegrate the
state. Their is no way to solve the Naga problem by a
disintegrated Manipur and one cannot not guarantee that
it will bring safety and harmony for Nagas in Manipur
and Nagaland state. The NSCN-IM claim that the northern
districts of Manipur are Naga inhibited areas and should
go to Greater Nagaland. But in fact, the total
population of Nagas and Kukis in these districts are
almost the same and it will be wrongful for India and
NSCN-IM not to consider and include the voice of Kuki
tribes residing in these districts. NSCN-IM had tried to
drive all Kuki tribes from these districts out or
Nagamize them. But still they have not succeeded all.
The tension between Naga-Kuki and the fear of other
communities will be enormous.
Manipur
is a land of many tribes (more than 30) who have
different languages, cultures and traditions. For
political purposes, some are included along with the
Naga denomination in the north and Kuki-chins in the
South. The Kuki tribes inhabit in all districts of
Manipur and their representation in the Manipur Assembly
is as high as the Naga tribes. Meiteis were not included
in the Schedule Tribe because they were classified in
the Hindu fold of India and were included in the general
category. This prevented the Meiteis to settle in the
hills under the Schedule 6. Meiteis cannot part the
hills even if they cannot settle in the hills for all
their forefathers were hill dwellers and their Gods
reside in these hills. They always had depended their
livelihood on hill products. NSCN-IM cannot claim all
hills belong to them. If one looks at the Nagalim map of
NSCN-IM, it includes all of Manipur, Nagaland state, a
large part of Assam, Arunachal and Myanmar. Under no
circumstances, the Myanmar Government is going to give
land to India or to NSCN-IM. It includes breaking
international laws and a lot of treaties need to be
considered. It is impossible for NSCN-IM to claim these
territories in the foreseable years to come by which
time all Manipur tribes and Meiteis would have killed
each other and extinct under the present situation and
if it continues to climb. Other states like Assam and
Arunachal are not going to hand over their territories
to NSCN-IM happily. But why only Manipur is burning not
so much in other states. It is because Muivah is a
Manipur Tangkhul tribe and NSCN-IM is in reality a
Manipur outfit controlled by Tangkhuls. That is why they
persuade or threaten Manipur tribes to support them.
Manipur
is a close society - geographically, economically,
socially and ethnically. Tangkhuls, Meiteis,
Zeliangrongs and other tribes have much more common
customs and tradition than their many other counterpart
tribes in the Nagaland state. It is just not possible to
separate these groups on political and ethnic lines.
Economically Manipur is not viable without the 4
districts in the north and the people who live in these
are cannot survive without the valley resources. Both
the hill and the plain depend on each other and are so
intertwined economically, transportation
infrastructures, geographically and even socially. These
things make it difficult to claim Manipur by any group
to be theirs or to seek separation from one another. If
there are political disagreements and issues among the
hill peoples and between the hill and the valley, there
should be a dialogue and work for solutions. The tribes
in Nagaland also should understand that they are not
helping the tribes in Manipur by their constant support
to the movement. It will also be disaster for Nagaland
if 40-50 different tribes are put together politically
not considering the geographical isolations,
infrastructure road difficulties, economic dependencies,
social affinities and whole lot other issues. The Anals
and Moyons in the Chakpikarong and Chandel are not going
to interact the the Aos and Angamies in Nagaland
socially or economically. They will depend on the other
tribes and Meiteis for their survival. If Muivah is
thinking of subsidies from the Indian Government for
centuries for the survival of his tribes, that is too
ambitious and is only a half-brain's work. We all can
discuss and protect the interest of all tribes in
Manipur, ethnically, economically and politically. By
demanding Greater Nagaland or separate Southern Nagaland,
which will be next step because Muivah and the Manipur
tribes cannot fulfill their political ambition in the
Nagaland state. This is not an assumption. The Manipur
Nagas will be on one side and the Nagaland tribes will
be on one side if the underground movement is removed
and come to overground political participation by Muivah.
It is
under these circumstances that we the people of Manipur
both the Naga tribes, Kuki Tribes, Meiteis, Pangans,
Nepalis, and other inhabitants should work together to
bring a political solution, including NSCN-IM rebels,
all other Manipur underground organisations, NGOs,
Manipur Government and the Indian Government, to
safeguard each community in Manipur. Separation of a
part of Manipur is not geographically, politically,
economically and socially possible under the
circumstances now and years to come. The Meiteis should
listen to Naga tribes' concerns and Naga tribes should
also consider the other communities concerns. This is
the best longterm solution for the whole people of
Manipur. Some may say no and others may say yes. But,
the situation has brought nothing in terms of
development in infrastructure, economy, education, and
in every field of human society. All energy and
resources have been consumed by this divide and hatred
politics. Let us all think about living and prospering
together. No Blood-shed and no Cries for Mothers.
Ethnic-based politics have not progressed in any part of
the world in the modern times. Africa and Balkans are
clear examples.
Sincerely,
Imo
USA (Received on 11 July 2001 by email) |
