Manipur: Who Rules!
By UA Shimray
Undoubtedly, North Eastern region is the theatre of the longest insurgency activities and socio-political turmoil vis-à-vis ethnic conflicts. There are more 70 insurgent groups. And such political problem occupies a singular position in Indian politics. The insurgency are asserting either for self-determination or separate Statehood on the basis of socio-cultural identities and political rights. Also, in the region, number of NGOs, student bodies, human rights groups, social forum, associations, religious organizations and insurgency groups (tag with so many abbreviations) are limitless. Though, a large number of civil society organizations and insurgency reflects the nature of multi-ethnicity in the region. Every ethnic group has several kinds of organizations viz., students’ organization, social forum and political party. Inquiry for democratic-minded people of a conflict-ridden situation has always been; how are we to connect the issue and address in democratic principle and sustain peace. While what is important is to link the issues in right perspective. The region has witnessed many strong civil society movement particularly women’s movement. Here, let me cite the social movement in Nagaland and Manipur State. In these two States, there are strong women’s organizations that are active in social and political affairs. To mentioned few, Naga Mother’s Association (NMA), Meira Paibis (Manipuri women organization also known as “torch bearers”) and Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM). The other social organizations include “Naga Hoho” (an apex social body of the Naga community), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and Naga People Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR). These Naga social organizations are not restricted by the State political boundaries. The organizations like All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), All Manipur United Club Organization (AMUCO), and United Committee of Manipur (UCM) represents Meitei community. The Kuki Students Organization (KSO) is for Thadou speaking group. Also, the Zomi Re-unification Organization (ZRO) for Zomi group. Unfortunately, these ethnic based social organizations could not connect themselves and transcend to discourse the prevailing ethnic divides and political differences. In this critical juncture of ethnic animosity and inter-insurgent conflict, cordial relationship among the various civil society organizations is indispensable. But the impression here is that the ethnic based social movement is so much replicates of their own political advantage and convenience. The attitude of rational accommodation and respect of sentiment is more or less non-existence among the responsible civil society organizations. Culture of Donation, “Unholy Nexus” and “Percentage Cut” Recently, Delhi based the weekly news magazine Outlook (12th December 2005) expose of Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi allegedly donating Rs. 1.5 crore to insurgency outfits - the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) and the Kanglei Yawol Kanba Lup (KYKL). The Central Opposition demands for O. Ibobi resignation. Hue and cry is also heard among the Opposition in Manipur and asked for a high-level inquiry to be instituted to probe’s Ibobi’s largesse to the two groups. Allegation of nexus between politicians and insurgency is not a new story in the region. However, the nexus is not limited to those politicians alone. There is an allegation of high-level bureaucrats, big business persons and social organizations having close affair with the undergrounds (UG). This “unholy nexus” has become a tradition and is now difficult to point one person only. Z. Mangaibou, MLA representing Tamei A/C, Tamenglong was charged of misusing his licensed revolver and threatened one Superintendent Engineer (SE) of the PWD in the presence of Work Minister Th. Debendra. The Sangai Express editorial (27 December 2005) writes, “No one is above the law and this includes legislators and representatives of the people. Today the Engineers are on agitation and the political class does not mend their way then it could be the people as a whole who might come out on the street. Remember June 18, 2001, when the angst and ire of the people were directed towards the political class?” No doubt, such threat is against the principle of humanity. MLA denying the allegation of trying to “shoot” Kh Irabot, SE (PWD) and clarified that he had only shown his licensed gun to make the point he too possesses weapon if the Engineers continue to allot contract works to suspect element citing pressure from a outfits. The incident was immediately responded by the Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) and Zeliangrong Students Union (ZSU). ZYF demanded SE Irabot to book him under the NSA charging that the engineer was hobnobbing with the UG by granting them contract works in the Tamenglong District. ZSU appealed to the concerned authority to form a fact-finding committee for making spot inquiry in order to find the reality whether the ACA work programs are adequately taken up in Tamenglong. What is actually going on in PWD office? The public is just watching the drama. As said, this unholy nexus is open secret in Manipur. The nexus includes politicians and UG, Engineers/Bureaucrats and UG Business persons/Contractors and UG and Social Organizations and UG... so on. Who rule Manipur? Undergrounds’ “diktat” (also read in different terms like extortion, levy tax, percentage-cut and donation) to Government servants, contractors, business persons and politicians is no a new kind of business (unkind) in the State. Even the media are not spared in this 'diktat' business. Recently, the Paona International Market was closed down due to monetary demand made by one students’ organization. It is State that the student organization had put a proposal asking for contribution of Rs 350 per year per shop. Now, let us honestly (without hypocrisy) question the credibility and accountability of the civil organization(s). Today, the biggest “sin” is money. Many social organizations are running in peoples’ charity. This kind of organizations run here and there like beggars begging money in the form of “Donation. “ In this business, politicians, bureaucrats and business persons are not spare. Remarks Observing the present scenario, “Diktat” tradition becomes too unbearable like undergrounds’ “duress,” social organizations’ “ultimatum” and tactical political pressure to State machinery. Indeed, there is serious allegation of high-level politicians and bureaucrats having “link” with the underground outfits. At the moment, Chief Minister O. Ibobi is at the top chart. Interestingly, it seems that the people of Manipur and responsible social organizations do not matter (not even pursue) when the head of the state has allegedly donated public money worth Rs 1.50 crore to the valley UGs. This shows we all are living under the UG’s “terms and conditions”. And we make hue and cry over the MLA’s licensed gun. Moreover, our esteemed paper The Sangai Express' editorial (27 December 2005) highlighted the episode of the 18 and draw “comparison” with Z. Mangaibou’s incident. In fact, such attention is not a correct perspective. In fact, media should concentrate and expose such unkind “nexus” and UG’s involvement in contract works. In every Department/employees donate yearly “percentage” to the UG (irrespective of Valley or Hills and every contract works are scan and undergone UG’s percentage cut. When say, there is “parallel authority” no one can say NO. So the losers are the poor common people. The long silence of the social organizations, NGOs over the issue of allegation, nexus, duress, percentage cut... implies that something fishy is there. So the “question and answer” lies between the licensed gun and un-licensed AK 47. Long live Manipur!
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)