Witoubou Newmai As the assertions of the Nagas, the Kukis, the Meiteis and other communities in the State of Manipur, with regard to their respective positions, are reaching a crescendo; the collective trend is halting and diminishing all channels of communication. It is also fast shaping the social configuration, with diametrically opposing narratives, into a much more flammable issue today. In short, the prevailing scenario reifies what Manipur is composed of. Even as the October 31 episodes, both in the valley and in the Naga areas, are resonating across the social atmosphere with fear and apprehension, the United Peoples’ Front (UPF), an umbrella body of Kuki/Zo armed outfits, has placed the position of the "Kuki/Zo kindred tribes" concerning their ‘territory’. The UPF is engaging in dialogue with the Government of India and the Manipur Government after signing the Suspension of Operation (SoO). Countering the assertion of the United Committee, Manipur (UCM) that Manipur in all aspects cannot be altered, including the implementation of Article 371(A) and the Sixth Schedule, the UPF said, “Non-alteration of its (Manipur) administrative structure and maintaining the status quo is a blatant disregard for the historical plurality of Manipur, denial of administrative justice and gross violation of the political rights of the Kuki/Zo kindred tribes in particular and the hill tribes in general”. “Historically, the Kuki/Zo kindred tribes had their own village republics with exclusive territorial rights and administered their own affairs free from British, Indian or Manipuri interference,” the UPF further asserted. What intrigues observers is the UCM’s comment on the October 31 rally held in Imphal that it was “a demonstration to show the wish of the people of Manipur to live and grow together as Manipur.” Now the question is---who are these “people of Manipur” as termed by the UCM? This question is asked given the reality that the Nagas had overwhelmingly responded to the call of the United Naga Council (UNC) for a “total shut down” in the Naga areas on the day the rally was being taken out in the valley, demanding the settlement of the Naga political issue at the earliest. In the words of Gaidon Kamei, President of the UNC, the "effectiveness of the October 31 bandh tells the world that the Naga people are longing to see the settlement of the Naga political issue.” The statement of the UPF on the position of the “Kuki/Zo kindred tribes” on the day of the UCM’s rally is making the prevailing situation even more intriguing. The given situation tells us something important that the situation of Manipur is yet to be diagnosed correctly, and also that, the issue deserves to be placed for a fuller discourse.
