By: RS Jassal
Moreh incident of 09 June 2007 in which 11 precious lives have been lost has many stories to tell. Irrespective of with what prudence the state administration, politicians & SFs may prophess to pass it off as another incident as ‘just happened’, the implications are serious and not heading for a solution but collision to collusion . And most of the civil societies boasting in one breath with slogan lobbying for integrity and in actuality igniting the undercurrent toiling for creating the confused chaos . Regionally societies have been channelized to sit this side or that side of the fencing because of armed groups and many are sitting on the fencing to act and react according to the situation. This is a clear cut fall out of domineering tactics adopted by each & but two prominent communities in Moreh, adoption of cold strategies , actives moves in one up – ship for the past 40 years that situation has shaped so sluggish , putting up lives in Moreh township at peril and what to speak of hardship of villagers in remote localities. Prior to independence of India, these two communities who were living in peace complementing each other’s security, are now well armed not to protect their community but with venom of destroying each other’s lebensraum too .
As an analyst, I will be failing in my thoughts in all humility if I do not appreciate the excellent handling of the unfortunate events in the sagacious action of the CM in issuing a political statement that there would be no back lash, enveloping action of the DGP and his energetic Kuki / Meitei police officer’s and the constraints under which 24 Assam Rifles played the role in containing the murderous act of both Kuki and Meitei insurgents in such a riotous like situation created in spring – hit – hide action is all too praise worthy. This may perhaps be the reason why casualties on UG have been nil and poor helpless civilian paid the cost. Then followed media war, both the UG groups trying to get sympathies and love of the people claiming fairness in conducting such forced operation by both side, in the general interest of Manipur in a sense hill & valley to manage their own affairs and not to interfere in each other’s lands (media news refers). It has caused a serious damage to the centuries old ONE - NESS of the communities. It will keep on simmering if the UG apex leadership intelligentsia of Manipur and store house of higher portals of learning’s in Manipur University do not give a deep thinking to neutralise these grave negativities cracking relationship between various communities and some where intra community too . As is sufficiently clear, amongst Kukis KSO / KNA conglomerate of eight organizations are for creation of Zelangan which involves territories from Myanmar Bangladesh in addition to area under occupation in Manipur adjacent to IB. The other groups not covered in this stand for creation of Sadar Hill as a revenue district within the Constitution NSCN (K) for complete sovereignty with area NW Myanmar and Manipur Assam Arunachal duly amalgamated &NSCN (IM) for Nagalim with areas from Indian state as aforesaid by adding a special clause in the Constitution. UNLF addition to 100 % integrity status ‘as it is’ has also been keen for working up –borders to shape a bigger nation in the world under or in conjunction with Indo-Myanmar Revolutionary Front for which RJC stands formed . In addition another dimension is added by various smaller groups of UGs working for stronger UG groups for each community resultant to network of never ending new nomenclatures. One fails to follow the mission which has split into missions. How RJC (Revolutionary Joint Committee) can function without participation of Meitei – Nagas –Kuki - Pangal Muslims Tripuris – Maghalayan – Arunachalie &the Assamese insurgent groups. This entire hum-bag has given birth to common cause i.e. EXTORTIONS of various style and description i.e., kidnapping, ransoms, rapes, flagrant use of IEDs & thwarting state politics through elections. One wonder which way solution will come. Now come to the murk we have landed in going back to Moreh.
It is a fact (through not known to all ) but to the policy makers (SOG) headed by CS that town responsibility for keeping clear of UGs presences was entrusted to IRB , keeping IB clear of UG infiltration / ex filtration with the Assam Rifles , yet built up bunkers for firing by the UG were detected in the town (media news refer ) . How come State with district intelligence system failed to fore see? It needs seriously going in to from security point of view. Imagine what would have been the fate of Assam Rifles if any one of either community (out of 11) would have been killed by their bullet (s)??? Again charge of acting in partisanship against a particular group as was said in papers by UNLF about AR assisting KNA in their operations knowing fully well that this particular group is in signed commitment to suspension of operation with the armed forces of Union of India (through same not officially accepted by the Govt. of Manipur) . Through the last few reports in the media, one learns unit lost one JCO and a few OR on IB duty and absorbed attack, into their living lines by the IEDs/ lethod bombs. In any case without deviating from the real topic of unfortunate Moreh the aim of the write up is not to blame or absolve any agency of their short comings, who are working under heavy odds to deal with insurgent BUT to open a window for observers what is the real CAUSE which is keeping the innocent people on their toes. Is it for independence, or control over Moreh –Tamu trade/economy or domination of territories by either community &so on for political hegemony?
The poser of independence need not much discussion as is evident from the preceding paras that everyone is already independent. Control of trade commerce otherwise called taxes is an old phenomena right from pre independence period imposed by monarchial Govt. & bigger communities over smaller one who settled there by consent and permission of local authorities. After independence NNC / NFG used to collect voluntary or participatory taxes with proper recognition &respect to the people (mixed communities) without hurting their psyche. It took ‘u’ turn when NSCN (IM) started imposing Rs.500 per house as tax & increase of tax on village (S) of a particular tribe (say Kuki) settled in Naga area & so on this prompted UNLF to come forward & ousted NSCN control and a shift in rift commenced taking shape of territorial domineering . This roped in varies UG groups to play the commercial card and got stuck finally to extortions.
What is the solution? The territory of today’s Manipur is not creation of Aladdin lamp. It is a result of progressive historical events Kukis,Hamrs, Naga played equally important role in destroying the hegemony of Ava to the finish with the help of the British & British enjoyed the fruits of consolidation of area by giving boundaries to the state of Manipur . No historian is willing to bell the cat that inter community battle (S) were ever fought. Since India is independent, sovereign so every tribe/ community is boasting that they were never conquered by the British and the British left the area to be divided into two spheric nations called India & Pakistan. If this fact is admitted our history books can be modified accordingly to adjust our national bearings. It is no exaggeration if I say there is no Manipur without hills & there is no peace if some egoist leaders do not shed their egos. Imagine the gap widening between rich and the poor. Valley getting congested, arable lands getting converted into high flown building and with Govt Deptt, water masses drying up and tribalism enveloping valley because of constitutional provision. Isn’t it sufficient for all of us to rise to the situation & ask for parliamentary intervention to consider a wise NE Act with human face where indigenous people hills & valley can enjoy equal opportunities with economic criteria as base?
In fine, let there be unilateral suspension of operation declared by Govt. of India with all groups & offenders dealt with NSA under law &order prospects. KSO/ KNA CF/Suspension of operation is defective unless UNLF is also brought under similar agreement. Peace with SF does not mean freedom of fear from SFs operations &bold action against UNLF, hence suspension of operation be with all the groups in a meaningful manner. Peace camps be designated. There are very encouraging number of families grown out of inter marriages, hence equal land laws can be instituted under economic criteria. Assam Rifles have 25-30 % of troops from NE in each battalion, hence to dub AR siding with any particular tribe /community will be drawing wild goose guess as no commander can command his troops so composed by playing one tribe/community against the other. I am saying so with my personal experience of 35 year service in the AR. It is not easy task to command a composite group of troops in counter insurgency areas like it is today. Let the intelligentsia prevail on the Govt. To go more transparent & dispel the means to achieve peace & understanding. If MCA project, can be completed without money falling into the kitty of UG, why not BADF be spent by the administration through Sfs as per ruling by the GOI to ensure visible development of the border’s & interiors and make people proud of Govt. & the SFs .
If may be worthwhile to mention about the diminishing commercial status of Moreh. There stands a well organized marketing trading centre at Namphalong / Tamu. Compare it to our side. Moreh thrived in business when it was not liberalized .it was the only centre where Kuki, Mizo, Nepali, Punjabis, Southees and Muslims all were found working unison. Take the incident 9/6.We closed business for 2-3 days. Other side took 25 days to reopen. Thailand authorities visited Falam, Champai (Mizoram) and is reported to have visited Moreh too as a team with Mizoram official(s) & appears to be considering arrangements to divert their trading activity through Mizoram as Zoramthanga an experienced MNF leader both while UG and now enlightened & visionary CM is willing to offer relaxed border without tension. Naturally trader would like to invest where firstly his/her life is safe, secondly, where business return are higher. After relaxation of trade regulation at Moreh let our economist give us the figure, who gained more – not we other than ‘look East epithet’ but the South East Asian Countries. Now our cosmopolitan face of Moreh is lost and business over skeletons can never thrive. Traditional business community other than Kukis have left Cosmopolitan character of Moreh has been assassinated. It is therefore earnestly hoped that wisdom draws on people ‘who matter’ to sink their myopic differences on ‘uncontrollable controls’ of domineering and declare peace amongst themselves first than accuse the SFs and the GOI to enable trade flourish, GOI also need to handle gauntlet of dissent amongst ethnicities and declare Parliamentary decision that Manipur will not break & IB will be fenced through some appropriate legislation and put up a shopping centre under one roof and shops allotted to all communities proportionately as thought wise. MR/IRB is having all communities’ soldiers on their roll. So is in Assam Rifles, which I understand from AR authorities that MHA has considered raising % age to 60. Immediate requirement is let KSO/UNLF leadership shake hands and declare peace to provide breather o Govt. Of Manipur to enable them start peace process. It will be foolish to take shelter of adag “today is your turn on sacrificial slot tomorrow will be his and the time when my turn comes , there will be no body left and I will rule the roost ” Such wishful thinking & deep obsession with past history will lead us nowhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment