Namdingpou Kamei
The word ‘economic’ means, a wealth and resources of a community. And the word ‘blockade’ means blocking of a place or to prevent entry and exit.
The All Naga Students Association, Manipur, ANSAM, has been imposing economic blockade on two National highways, i.e. NH-39 and NH-53 against the unconditional declaration of June 18 as State General Holiday by the Govt. of Manipur.
On 14 June 2001, after fifty years of bloodshed between Nagas and India, a ceasefire between the two was extended to all Naga inhabited areas. The Meiteis strongly opposed the ceasefire extension in all Naga inhabited areas particularly in Manipur. This clearly shows that they don’t want peace to prevail in Manipur. On 18 June 2001, the following points carried out by the Meiteis, which is strongly against the constitution of India, is worth to be mentioned.
(i) They burnt the Indian National flags and hoisted the Pakhangba flag (7 colour flag).
(ii) They burnt the State Legislative Assembly hall.
(iii) They Ransacked the CM’s bungalow, MLA’s quarters and burnt the vehicles
(iv) They also made an attempt on Governor’s life.
Besides, they chanted slogans like ‘There are no Nagas in Manipur’ and have not even an inch of land belongs to Nagas in Manipur.’ They even criticized Christianity- the faith of the tribals in Manipur calling it ‘foreign and western.’ While protesting against the Ceasefire extension in Manipur 18 Manipuri rioters’ lives were lost.
Now the most interesting part is that the Govt. of Manipur has proudly declared those 18 rioters who destroyed public properties and who even attempted Governor’s life as martyrs and declared June 18 as State General Holiday so as to mark honour and respect to them. The tribals particularly the Nagas were not happy and frustrated with the Government decision. Since Nagas are a peace-loving citizens they want and welcome the ceasefire extension in all Naga inhabited areas. But the Meiteis, who are the majority in numbers in Manipur opposed it moreover, the govt. decision to observe June 18 as ‘State Integrity Day’ altogether shocks the sentiments of the Nagas in particular and tribal in general.
Therefore, the Naga community who are residing in Manipur organized a mass rally on 16 June 2005 to revoke the June 18 holiday but the Govt. kept mum and no positive sign was seen. Therefore, the apex body of all Nagas communities in Manipur, the United Naga Council, UNC entrusted the All Naga Students Association Manipur to spearhead the agitation in the form of Economic blockade on the two NHs and to go further in different forms of agitation if the Govt. does not comply with.
Now, The All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur, the apex students’ body of Nagas of Manipur and one of the most powerful and influential Students’ Organizations in the North East India started the economic blockade on the two National Highways, 39 and 53 in the midnight of June 19 2005. All vehicles carrying essential commodities were not allowed to enter Manipur and not allowed to exit from the state. Therefore a tight security is placed on the two highways and escorts the goods carrier vehicles. But in the midst of the tight security a smart volunteers who are sacrificing even their life for the cause of the Naga Nation throw petrol bombs on the vehicles and even rained down a bullet of catapult, thus the drivers life were becoming risky and were refused to ply on the highways especially on NH-39. The Govt. changed the traffic to NH-53 with the hope that the Zeliangrong people may have some soft corner in the interest of the valley base Zeliangrong but on the contrary, in the early morning at around 2:30 am of June 20 2005 the ANSAM volunteers dismantled the Irang Bridge, which is built across the Second largest river of Manipur.
Even though, the Govt. is sending additional troops to suppress the people’s movement by force instead of bringing solution through dialogue or in peaceful means. But the Nagas are also brave enough to defend their aspiration.
Many trucks have been burnt down on both the National Highways and about 27 Govt. offices have been burnt down to ashes in four Naga Hills districts of Manipur so as to paralyze the Govt. functioning and to protest against the act of security personal. Even if the ANSAM is doing up to this level the sate govt. doest not take concrete steps to solve, but with the intervention of the central govt. and a personal request from the Prime Minister and the Home minister of India, with the commitment that talk will be held soon after the independence day 2005 to solve the problems faced by the Nagas in Manipur, therefore the ANSAM agreed to suspend the blockade temporarily or for the time being after 52 days of blockade on the 12th August 2005 at 1200hrs. Things are likely to resume the blockade if the talk is not positive in the sight of Nagas.
Manipur is comprised of composite tribes, before any decision is made, the authority of the govt. should think for every section of people. Any problem or crisis may crop up however; the govt. is always responsible in finding the solution. If the Govt of Manipur is still inadvertent to the economic blockade, there may be far-reaching unwanted consequences if it is not solve in time. Sometimes economic blockade or any other form of agitation is necessary in order to check the function of the Govt. No one wants to inflict sufferings and troubles but if there is no alternative ways and means it compels to do so. Therefore, as it has mentioned the govt. is solely responsible for any problem or crisis happen and always they should be the solution finder. Any good or bad issue should have solution, if the govt. cannot bring solution it is worthy to be called an inefficient govt.
As Manipur is a state of many tribes and communities professing different religions, customs and traditions, it can be compared to our human body having different parts working different functions together makes a perfect being. Therefore, The State of Manipur can also be progressed when different tribes and communities live and work together in unity with tolerance and respect towards others rights and feelings. If we achieve this unity, we will have peace and harmony among all the sections of society and we are on the right path of development, progress and prosperity only then we can face the challenges of modern living in the modern society of modern time.
Demerits of the blockade
1. Price hike: Because of blockade prices of all goods especially essential commodities are soaring up to unaffordable prices. All classes of people are affected.
2. Transportation: Less service of vehicles reduces daily income of the transporters.
3. State economy: State economy is severely affected, through over security expenses.
4. Big business stalls are forced to close down.
5. Burning down of vehicles, Govt. offices and dismantling of bridge will have irreparable loss to the people.
6. Life saving drugs: Due to unavailability of life saving drugs, patients in hospitals are suffering from bad to worse.
7. Fertilizers: Due to blockade no fertilizers could arrive on time, which may result poor harvest, which means famine or starvation.
8. Spoilt the youths/students: The precious time of the students have engaged in damaging and blocking, which masterminds their habit to violence and destruction.
9. And others.
