By SK Victor
This question pricks the hearts of every citizen of Manipur. My humble appeal to every right thinking person of our society is to give a serious thought on this vexed issue and search for certain emancipatory strategies/alternatives to the prevalent cruel political deception, despotism, nepotism, religious fanaticism, and socio-economic morass. This challenging task, de-finitely requires the hands and minds of the intelligentsia of our society. Time has come for us to step out from the culture of dependency and start meticulous analysis of our problems, for no one knows our problems better than us. Let us start an emancipatory bandwagon. A journey of clear conscience with concerted efforts is the need of the hour. Yes, no human society exists in a vacuum, but we all exist under a well defined, social structure. In India we have democratic political structure (Parliamentary form of Government) and secularism (religious tolerance), mixed economy (socialism & ca-pitalism), and we have fundamental rights. All the existing 28 states, seven Union Territories come under the same social structure.
Comparative study reveals that there exists great socio-economic disparities, ever increasing polarization of social groups amongst Indian so-cieties. In our native state, Manipur it is ‘really very difficult to find appropriate words to describe the prevailing precarious and chaotic political, socio-economic situation, for the whole system is in quagmire. I have been wondering as to why and how is it that the same structure that generates and delivers political stability, economic parities, development of human resources, justice, religious tolerance, and social harmony to the people in other societies surprisingly generates and delivers the opposite to our people ? Is it due to differences in socializa-tion ? Yes definitely it is, for each generation inherits both good and evil political, socio-economic system, beliefs and practices from the precedent generations. And also each generation consciously or unconsciously creates its own problems. However, some die-hard problems and issues of the past often get multiplied in the present. The existing differences in law & order situation, socio-economic status, in short categorization of social groups in to ‘forward’ and ‘backward’ blocks are the results of socialization. That is, the ways in which family values, cultural values of the society are handed down to their children are the determinants of the quality of a society at the given time and space. The same applies to all the rest of the social structural sub-systems. And this is to a great extent inevitable and inexorable, for this is a universal social phenomenon. Therefore, it is not the structure that narrates do-mination, subjugation, socio-economic inequalities etc. etc. but it is the machineries/functionaries of the structure directly or indirectly responsible for the failure of our social systems (in our context). Hence, I don’t support change of structure at this juncture, because the same structure fulfils the aspirations, needs of the people in other societies. This clearly shows that something has gone wrong somewhere within the structure in our society.
In the context of Manipur, one finds it very easy to identify or recognise ‘who is who’ and ‘who get what’. For a better understanding of the issue let us divide the whole state into two blocks: The hill block and the valley block. Theoretically every citizen realise its social, political and economic existence in a democratic set up. Every one is equal before the law. Democracy provides opportunities for fullest expression, exercise of one’s talent, creativity, and personality development, which are clearly adequately guaranteed in a democratic set up like India. This still holds true in many societies, but unfortunately it does not longer hold true in our society.
When we talk about democracy, it inevitably takes us to power and authority sharing between the Hill and Valley blocks and their deniable fact is that the hill people have been deprived of their constitutional provision/rights. Democratic political power and authority are clearly concentrated in the hands of the valley people. For example out of the total 60 seats in the State Legislative Assembly 40 seats are occupied by the valley representing approx. 700 square miles and maximum 25,000 voters constitute a constituency in the valley. Whereas, only 20 seats are given to the Hill people who are representing approx. 8000 sq. miles, and maximum 40,000 constitute a constituency in the hills. This clearly makes the reorganisation of constituency (delimitation) inevitable. When the govt of India approved delimitation of constituencies, the valley people raised hue and cry and attempted their all out efforts to derail, repeal the supreme court verdict. Such an act or attitude of the valley people towards their fellow hill people may be rightly termed as ‘outright infringement on the constitutional rights of the hill people, and open denial of democratic power and authority sharing in nation building is completely inconsistent with the noble slogan ‘Hill-Valley oneness and peaceful co-existence’
Secondly, under Article 371 C of the Indian constitution, provision for formation of Hill areas Autonomous District Council is given. On attaining full-fledged statehood in the year 1972 an Act pertaining to the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council was passed. as a result, the Hill Areas Autonomous District Council had been activated till 1989. Interestingly, it took almost two decades for the Hill people to realise the farcical and ridiculous (provision) Act of 1971 - the popularly elected councillors were reduced to mere clerical staff of the Deputy Commissioner of the district, as a result, the Hill Areas Autonomous District Council was dissolved in the year 1989. And in turn the hill people demanded Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution which was strongly opposed by the Valley people. However in view of the ever increasing needs of democratic decentralization of power & authority, a directive was issued by the then chief Minister of Manipur, Rishang Kei-shing, whereby under the aegis of the then Chairman, Hill Areas committee, Dr. M Horam a committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Professor BK Roy Burman in the year 1995. This committee drafted a proposal under the caption “Social Policy” and placed to the HAc and Manipur Legislative Assembly. Consequently, a Bill was passed by the Assembly which was submitted to the Governor of Manipur for his assent, and eventually the Bill received his assent on 31st Sept. 2000 and became an Act (The Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council Act, 2000) under Manipur No.ll of 2000.
However, in the year 2006, the valley people clandestinely made the Act repealed deliberately by-passing the whole de-mocratic & legal processes. Such a surreptitious activities, sincerely speaking, do not augur well for all of us. I sincerely don’t know as to why and how the valley people are so indifferent and rude to their fellow hill people. And I don’t foresee any adverse repercussion upon the valley people by allowing the hill people to peacefully enjoy their constitutional rights. I rather foresee irrevocable violent conflict between the hill and valley people in the near future. I am very much emphatic about the impending socio-economic, and political upheaval in our society if we don’t mitigate and mend our ways today. I don’t think the hill people are pestering nor demanding which does not belong to them. There is no harm in mutual respect, interdependence, sharing and peaceful co-existence.
Thirdly, as I pointed out earlier one can easily identify and recognise ‘who is who’ and ‘who gets what, how, where, and why’ in this tiny state. For example almost 90% of the govt offices are manned by valley people. The so called reservation of seats for the SC/ST under ‘policy of positive discrimination’ seems to be locked inside the drawers of the concerned authorities. Hundreds of seats in many departments had been surreptitiously filled in by undeserving persons, many deserving ser-vants belonging to SC/ST are often denied promotion e.g. Shri C. Peter (IPS) is one of the latest victims of subjugation. We should be careful that by nature when people are denied development of their personality and suppress their mobility, high intensity conflict may ensue. Moreover, hill people have become very much aware of where, when, how and why crore of rupees, several schemes, projects meant for the hill people have been clandestinely diverted/diverting to the wrong people and department. I don’t deny the involvement of hill people in this illegal activities. Therefore, when I say, scarce resources including human resources development have not been equally used, tapped and distributed as per the rules, I don’t think my findings/statements are erroneous.
Fourthly, looking at the existing infrastructure, we clearly see a lopsided in-frastructural development in this tiny State. Hundreds of contractors, who are, in fact supposed to be important players in nation building, have become unscrupulous players. How many buildings, roads, bridges, dams etc. have been constructed in total negation of the given specifications, or lying incomplete/deserted. And how many funds have been lapsed, or fraudulent withdrawal of money without leaving a single spade mark ? Indeed, government of India has been so generous, and so genuine in its planning policies and programmes to bring our society at par with the rest of the world communities, but it always falls a prey in the hands of the avaricious and unscrupulous contractors. This is the generalised perception of common people towards the contractors. When we maintain a micro analysis we find the scapegoat and sandwiched positions of many contractors, and the illegal nexus, undercurrent between underground groups, politicians, and contractors. For example, a contractor starts doling out money to engineers, politicians/bureaucrats for inclusion of work proposal in the work programme. Next he starts the same illegal procedure, though with a much bigger amount for obtaining work order.
— to be contd
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Others/Articles.htm
This question pricks the hearts of every citizen of Manipur. My humble appeal to every right thinking person of our society is to give a serious thought on this vexed issue and search for certain emancipatory strategies/alternatives to the prevalent cruel political deception, despotism, nepotism, religious fanaticism, and socio-economic morass. This challenging task, de-finitely requires the hands and minds of the intelligentsia of our society. Time has come for us to step out from the culture of dependency and start meticulous analysis of our problems, for no one knows our problems better than us. Let us start an emancipatory bandwagon. A journey of clear conscience with concerted efforts is the need of the hour. Yes, no human society exists in a vacuum, but we all exist under a well defined, social structure. In India we have democratic political structure (Parliamentary form of Government) and secularism (religious tolerance), mixed economy (socialism & ca-pitalism), and we have fundamental rights. All the existing 28 states, seven Union Territories come under the same social structure.
Comparative study reveals that there exists great socio-economic disparities, ever increasing polarization of social groups amongst Indian so-cieties. In our native state, Manipur it is ‘really very difficult to find appropriate words to describe the prevailing precarious and chaotic political, socio-economic situation, for the whole system is in quagmire. I have been wondering as to why and how is it that the same structure that generates and delivers political stability, economic parities, development of human resources, justice, religious tolerance, and social harmony to the people in other societies surprisingly generates and delivers the opposite to our people ? Is it due to differences in socializa-tion ? Yes definitely it is, for each generation inherits both good and evil political, socio-economic system, beliefs and practices from the precedent generations. And also each generation consciously or unconsciously creates its own problems. However, some die-hard problems and issues of the past often get multiplied in the present. The existing differences in law & order situation, socio-economic status, in short categorization of social groups in to ‘forward’ and ‘backward’ blocks are the results of socialization. That is, the ways in which family values, cultural values of the society are handed down to their children are the determinants of the quality of a society at the given time and space. The same applies to all the rest of the social structural sub-systems. And this is to a great extent inevitable and inexorable, for this is a universal social phenomenon. Therefore, it is not the structure that narrates do-mination, subjugation, socio-economic inequalities etc. etc. but it is the machineries/functionaries of the structure directly or indirectly responsible for the failure of our social systems (in our context). Hence, I don’t support change of structure at this juncture, because the same structure fulfils the aspirations, needs of the people in other societies. This clearly shows that something has gone wrong somewhere within the structure in our society.
In the context of Manipur, one finds it very easy to identify or recognise ‘who is who’ and ‘who get what’. For a better understanding of the issue let us divide the whole state into two blocks: The hill block and the valley block. Theoretically every citizen realise its social, political and economic existence in a democratic set up. Every one is equal before the law. Democracy provides opportunities for fullest expression, exercise of one’s talent, creativity, and personality development, which are clearly adequately guaranteed in a democratic set up like India. This still holds true in many societies, but unfortunately it does not longer hold true in our society.
When we talk about democracy, it inevitably takes us to power and authority sharing between the Hill and Valley blocks and their deniable fact is that the hill people have been deprived of their constitutional provision/rights. Democratic political power and authority are clearly concentrated in the hands of the valley people. For example out of the total 60 seats in the State Legislative Assembly 40 seats are occupied by the valley representing approx. 700 square miles and maximum 25,000 voters constitute a constituency in the valley. Whereas, only 20 seats are given to the Hill people who are representing approx. 8000 sq. miles, and maximum 40,000 constitute a constituency in the hills. This clearly makes the reorganisation of constituency (delimitation) inevitable. When the govt of India approved delimitation of constituencies, the valley people raised hue and cry and attempted their all out efforts to derail, repeal the supreme court verdict. Such an act or attitude of the valley people towards their fellow hill people may be rightly termed as ‘outright infringement on the constitutional rights of the hill people, and open denial of democratic power and authority sharing in nation building is completely inconsistent with the noble slogan ‘Hill-Valley oneness and peaceful co-existence’
Secondly, under Article 371 C of the Indian constitution, provision for formation of Hill areas Autonomous District Council is given. On attaining full-fledged statehood in the year 1972 an Act pertaining to the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council was passed. as a result, the Hill Areas Autonomous District Council had been activated till 1989. Interestingly, it took almost two decades for the Hill people to realise the farcical and ridiculous (provision) Act of 1971 - the popularly elected councillors were reduced to mere clerical staff of the Deputy Commissioner of the district, as a result, the Hill Areas Autonomous District Council was dissolved in the year 1989. And in turn the hill people demanded Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution which was strongly opposed by the Valley people. However in view of the ever increasing needs of democratic decentralization of power & authority, a directive was issued by the then chief Minister of Manipur, Rishang Kei-shing, whereby under the aegis of the then Chairman, Hill Areas committee, Dr. M Horam a committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Professor BK Roy Burman in the year 1995. This committee drafted a proposal under the caption “Social Policy” and placed to the HAc and Manipur Legislative Assembly. Consequently, a Bill was passed by the Assembly which was submitted to the Governor of Manipur for his assent, and eventually the Bill received his assent on 31st Sept. 2000 and became an Act (The Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council Act, 2000) under Manipur No.ll of 2000.
However, in the year 2006, the valley people clandestinely made the Act repealed deliberately by-passing the whole de-mocratic & legal processes. Such a surreptitious activities, sincerely speaking, do not augur well for all of us. I sincerely don’t know as to why and how the valley people are so indifferent and rude to their fellow hill people. And I don’t foresee any adverse repercussion upon the valley people by allowing the hill people to peacefully enjoy their constitutional rights. I rather foresee irrevocable violent conflict between the hill and valley people in the near future. I am very much emphatic about the impending socio-economic, and political upheaval in our society if we don’t mitigate and mend our ways today. I don’t think the hill people are pestering nor demanding which does not belong to them. There is no harm in mutual respect, interdependence, sharing and peaceful co-existence.
Thirdly, as I pointed out earlier one can easily identify and recognise ‘who is who’ and ‘who gets what, how, where, and why’ in this tiny state. For example almost 90% of the govt offices are manned by valley people. The so called reservation of seats for the SC/ST under ‘policy of positive discrimination’ seems to be locked inside the drawers of the concerned authorities. Hundreds of seats in many departments had been surreptitiously filled in by undeserving persons, many deserving ser-vants belonging to SC/ST are often denied promotion e.g. Shri C. Peter (IPS) is one of the latest victims of subjugation. We should be careful that by nature when people are denied development of their personality and suppress their mobility, high intensity conflict may ensue. Moreover, hill people have become very much aware of where, when, how and why crore of rupees, several schemes, projects meant for the hill people have been clandestinely diverted/diverting to the wrong people and department. I don’t deny the involvement of hill people in this illegal activities. Therefore, when I say, scarce resources including human resources development have not been equally used, tapped and distributed as per the rules, I don’t think my findings/statements are erroneous.
Fourthly, looking at the existing infrastructure, we clearly see a lopsided in-frastructural development in this tiny State. Hundreds of contractors, who are, in fact supposed to be important players in nation building, have become unscrupulous players. How many buildings, roads, bridges, dams etc. have been constructed in total negation of the given specifications, or lying incomplete/deserted. And how many funds have been lapsed, or fraudulent withdrawal of money without leaving a single spade mark ? Indeed, government of India has been so generous, and so genuine in its planning policies and programmes to bring our society at par with the rest of the world communities, but it always falls a prey in the hands of the avaricious and unscrupulous contractors. This is the generalised perception of common people towards the contractors. When we maintain a micro analysis we find the scapegoat and sandwiched positions of many contractors, and the illegal nexus, undercurrent between underground groups, politicians, and contractors. For example, a contractor starts doling out money to engineers, politicians/bureaucrats for inclusion of work proposal in the work programme. Next he starts the same illegal procedure, though with a much bigger amount for obtaining work order.
— to be contd
http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Others/Articles.htm
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