Manipur Assembly took several resolutions to safeguard Manipur’s integrity and interest. Many civil society organizations resolved to fight till the end to safeguard the same. Even the Chief Minister of Manipur is ready to die for the State if anything happens to lower down its dignity and authority. The people of Manipur believe N Biren, Chief Minister of Manipur, because what he says is in public. He is different as he claims now and then from many politicians of his stature.
Today, Manipur is at the juncture of disintegration and fragmentation. The threat to Manipur’s existence is crystal clear after October 31. It is no time for taking resolution on the floor of the Assembly, but it is time to act and response – either diplomatically, lobbying or otherwise. It is time for the state leader to clear the confusion. At the same time people need no more rhetoric speech, colorful resolution or press conference. The people and state should act and solution lies in action.
To begin with, let us be clear about working nature of Manipur’s Consultative Committee. The Consultative Committee should not act as an agent of Government of India, not even as interface between Government of India and people of Manipur. It should work for the Assembly resolution that reads as for oneness of Manipur. No administrative change on ethnic line; no territorial council in one form or other. In the word, the existing equation between State Assembly, State Government and Autonomous District Council should not be disturbed in any way.
The bargaining between Naga outfits and Government of India is a threat to existence of Manipur’s political entity. Consultative Committee should not think, at any cost, of getting something for Manipur when Government of India is giving something to the Naga people. Manipur is a State, not a collection of populations. Getting something in return to whatever given to the Nagas is not proper way of political thinking. Manipur’s stand for integrity should be absolute. Consultative Committee should stand for translating the Assembly resolution into action.
Manipur is a political entity; it cannot be kept on the negotiating table between two parties in which Manipur is not one. However, Manipur is facing trouble because of the concealing the negotiations reached with the Naga militant groups. This is not only a political threat to its existence but also an act of undermining the political abilities of the people of Manipur.
An ‘Action’ is required. All the stakeholders should speak in their respective languages of action. Taking another resolution at this juncture is just wasting of time; such a move to take new resolution may be considered as attempt to delay our action. It is time of defiance; it is time to show we are still alive. It is time to prove that Manipur cannot be taken for grant. We had committed in 1827 when two other parties entered an Agreement that affected Manipur’s integrity and dignity. We are still losing our ground because of the Treaty of Yandabo. No more 1827. To correct the 1827 mistake and to take a dignified position in 2019, we have to act bold. How many languages of action we know to express our interest? Unluckily, students are now busy with the Government-set election process. Is it not an example of ineloquent in action language? Stop the election process for college student unions. Let the students speak their own language of action.
Manipur should act for the resolution we take. We should remember how we suffered during the indefinite Economic Blockade. Have you forgotten that the Economic Blockade was for alternative arrangement? We suffered a lot during those days and bear all sorts of pain only for safeguarding the oneness of Manipur. The pain was not for price hike in essential commodities but for the love of an unified Manipur. In those days too we denied all the demands of alternative arrangement or demarcation of Manipur in the name of ancestral lands. The denial is only to safeguard Manipur and peaceful co-existence of the peoples of Manipur. Speak loud this denial in the language of action, today. No more rhetoric, we need. We need realistic and pragmatic approach to defy high commands of all sorts. Let us remember how this State defied central command when Muivah tried to enter the State to disturb the ethnic harmony in the State. Remember defiance is also one language of action.
If the elected representatives see no means available, resignation from MLA-ship or MP-ship is the only means left. Resignation is also a language of action. Be brave, ready for such action too, if we are so committed to the cause of safeguarding Manipur’s interest and oneness. If you can sacrifice your life then do it diplomatically.
Writer : Sh Ajit
