A man’s needs can be fulfilled but not a man’s greed. Alternative arrangement-The burning issue that has been gathering momentum and rapidly occupying the minds of the people of the state has brought to the open some very serious and covert agenda of the Nagas- more accurately the naga extremists (NSCM-IM) which has, by their own making, has almost single-handedly managed to blur and confuse the definition and meaning of the word “extremism” with “terrorism”. A group which was fighting for a separate and independent nation when it started out has gone back on it’s commitment and now is working towards an “alternative arrangement”-an arrangement that allows them to plunder, loot and terrorise their brethrens and neighbours? Or perhaps an arrangement to empower them to carry out various atrocities behind their excuse of having a “unique History”? And does that entail that the rest of the history of the various nations and people in the world are the same? Perhaps the time has come to purge the mindset of the various self-appointed guardians of the Naga interest in Manipur because “Manipur” is for Manipuris- no ethnic group- be it meiteis or meeteis, kukis, mizos, kabuis or nagas for that matter shouldn’t be allowed to put a wedge between the groups and foment the idea of separatism within these close-knit society. If any individual or group of individuals wants to belong to and be amongst a particular group or society, they are free to move on and do so. Trying to create “pockets” of “Nagalim” could only mean irritating and provoking the busy and self-minding people of the rest of the group who are co-habiting peacefully in the state. The present imbroglio could only be viewed as a manifestation of the greed of a certain group of persons imposed upon the unsuspecting mass without ever disclosing the agenda -and it should be rightly treated as such.
It is heartening to learn that various ethnic groups have started to openly declare their solidarity in the concept of a united Manipur and have stated in no uncertain terms their wish and commitment to remain as a Manipuri. This perhaps could be the turning point in the long and pointless violence that only catered to the whims and fancies of the perpetrators at the cost of life and limb of the common and defenceless public who were caught in the crossfire with the Indian army emboldened to act with impunity by the immunity bestowed on them by the draconian law of the armed forces special powers act. We owe it to ourselves to leave a more peaceful and prosperous land for our children who might be lucky enough to persue thing that can enrich their lives and that of others instead of cowering in fear and struggling for survival every single day of their lives. That single step starts in our hearts- be it a Meitei, a Kuki, a Muslim, a Kabui or a Naga.
