For God’s sake, starting the talks

UNDER THE the title of “Seeking solutions, not scapegoats” a response was published on Ngaranmi Shimray’s article on Manipur conflict in The Sangai Express on 21st January, 2024. The entire response is a typical case of “missing the wood for the trees.”

Moreh including Kwatha, without undermining its commercial importance in trade and access to South East Asia, is only a part of Manipur. If the problem faced by Manipur is tackled head on, the problems faced by Manipur i.e. in Moreh including Kwatha, the foothills surrounding Imphal valley and isolated Meitei habitations in Churachandpur and other areas could be solved automatically. The proposal for a special administrative regime for Moreh including Kwatha betrays the short term objective of the people behind it. Moreh is just a symptom and the disease lies deeper elsewhere.

Also read | Talks the only way forward to bring normalcy to Manipur; not through piece-meal half measures

No one has uttered deep regrets for the killings and destructions that could soothe and heal the deep wounds on both sides. Hundreds of people have died and thousands have been displaced in the state. The losses is high on both sides with houses burned, livelihood lost, children losing their innocence and suffering from mental health trauma and disruption of education. There are many woes and this is just to name a few. Why are we talking only about Moreh? The proposal made for Moreh including Kwatha can be interpreted as an attempt to serve the purpose of displaced traders. What about displaced farmers across the state who have also lost everything. Eight months into the crisis and all organisations are uttering platitudes that does not address the crisis and urgency of restoring peace and bringing normalcy in the state. The common people have not heard of talks and dialogues taking place with Chief Minister Mr. Biren or his intermediary with the leaders of Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo people or the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs. There is no whispers of behind the scene close door meetings taking place. The Peace Committee is a non-starter as it is too unwieldy and no attempt has been made to make it workable. Hatred for each other has not ebbed with both sides in a stalemate fearing to venture into each other’s territory. Government officials and security forces of the Meitei community hesitate to go to the hill districts and similarly the Kuki-Zo are not entering into Imphal valley. How long can such estrangement and acrimonious relationship go on especially when the financial year is closing, parliamentary elections and Assembly session are due. How will government schemes be properly implemented, elections held fairly and Assembly budget session conducted meaningfully? Besides the endless sufferings of the directly impacted displaced persons and poor wage earners and cultivators, now the common people are burdened with sky rocketing prices of essential commodities. Everyone appears to be nonchalantly sitting back and relaxed consoled by the thought that the other party is suffering more in this stalemate. How long can this stand-off go on without any end at sight? Yet some organisations and political personality are driven by desire and prospects of monetary benefits and lobby for restoration of cross border trade. The leaders have forgotten the primary concern of bringing peace to the entire state. With talks all issues will be shortlisted and sorted out one after the other. Ways and means of finding solutions to various vexed issue will emerge if several heads are put together. Many good intentioned ideas have been mooted, but ground works have to be done first to facilitate talks.

Must read | Myanmar military aircraft skids off runway at Mizoram’s Lengpui airport

Hobbs believed that when people have unlimited freedom, it leads to chaos and a war-like scenario. This rings true for Manipur as newspaper reports have stated that Arambai Tenggol, an organisation considered radical and feared by all, has called a meeting of all valley MLAs, presumably including the Chief Minister and his Meitei Ministers who are also MLAs. The invitation accompanied by warnings appear to be more like a summon. Has the authority of the state government diminished so low that it is lawlessness and a NGO has summoned MLAs to meet them?

The state government appears to have done nothing concrete to end the crisis since May 2023. The government’s inaction is perceived as weakness and in the vacuum created the Arambai Tenggol is stepping in to take control. The outcome of the summon will indicate where the state government stands in this crisis and whether it will surrender its authority to a NGO. A monster has been created and it may soon devour its master and patron. The worry is that there could be many such radical fledglings in possession of a few missing police guns and they may soon rear their ugly heads to add to lawlessness and chaos in the state. Manipur may soon become a case of “the tail wagging the dog” if the summon is not dealt with properly.

Also read | Community involvement key for success of initiatives: Conrad Sangma

The state government should assert its position as the authority in power and not allow its authority to be usurped by anyone, lest of all a NGO. The citizens of Manipur should all pray and hope for positive thinking and God fearing leaders, blessed with the virtues of broad mindedness, benevolence, magnanimity, compassion, love, forgiveness and sincerity, to emerge to deal with this crisis and save Manipur.

Ngaranmi Shimray is an activist and political observer based in New Delhi. Views are personal. [email protected].

This is not a Ukhrul Times publication. UT is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any reports or views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of Ukhrul Times.