The issue confirming the Nagas today on the “Supra State Body” status to be granted to the Nagas of the North East States as Christmas gift is to be heartily welcomed as it states: “…to preserve, protect and promote the culture, social, identity and customary law under that body…”
It is indeed the aspiration and the longtime demand of the Naga people living outside the state of Nagaland to come together under one administrative body. The suppression and oppression of the Nagas living in Manipur and other adjoining states is clearly indicated by the utter neglect of the civic development in this ultra modern world. There is absolutely no proper functioning of the government offices although some worn out signboards can be seen in some of the so called district headquarters.
The chief minister of Manipur and the spokesperson of the other states are of the opinion that such arrangement would be strongly opposed. The fact remains that the Manipuris (Meiteis) are usurping and grapping the rightful share of the hill tribal people from time immemorial and our people are still being exploited today. An example to state is the creation of four smallest district of Imphal Valley comprising of a little more than two thousand sq Km. This situation grants them more assembly seats and thus swallows the whole budget granted by the centre brining about the dismal picture of the Hill districts as stated above. The statement of Assam minister Dr Himanto Biswas Sarma that Nagas are occupying Assam land can b refuted since till date there are many Naga areas cultivated by people of Assam and tax being levied on them.
However, the time is now crucial for the Hill tribal people Organisation of Manipur to join hands together for the rightful demand for a separate administrative unit from the present Manipur state and the status of Supra body is a step towards achieving that goal. The struggle of the Hill people for survival and their aspirations for a separate administrative unit have been communicated to the centre only through verbal communication and memorandums since long. We expect the high office at the centre to take cognition of aspiration of the people and grant the rights of the tribal people of Manipur. The patience of the Hill tribal are being tried and if our voice is not heard on time the consequences would be great loss for the hill tribal as well as for the Indian people. I also appeal to the hill tribal of all the north eastern states to awake from their long clumber and work towards achieving this goal.
It is indeed the aspiration and the longtime demand of the Naga people living outside the state of Nagaland to come together under one administrative body. The suppression and oppression of the Nagas living in Manipur and other adjoining states is clearly indicated by the utter neglect of the civic development in this ultra modern world. There is absolutely no proper functioning of the government offices although some worn out signboards can be seen in some of the so called district headquarters.
The chief minister of Manipur and the spokesperson of the other states are of the opinion that such arrangement would be strongly opposed. The fact remains that the Manipuris (Meiteis) are usurping and grapping the rightful share of the hill tribal people from time immemorial and our people are still being exploited today. An example to state is the creation of four smallest district of Imphal Valley comprising of a little more than two thousand sq Km. This situation grants them more assembly seats and thus swallows the whole budget granted by the centre brining about the dismal picture of the Hill districts as stated above. The statement of Assam minister Dr Himanto Biswas Sarma that Nagas are occupying Assam land can b refuted since till date there are many Naga areas cultivated by people of Assam and tax being levied on them.
However, the time is now crucial for the Hill tribal people Organisation of Manipur to join hands together for the rightful demand for a separate administrative unit from the present Manipur state and the status of Supra body is a step towards achieving that goal. The struggle of the Hill people for survival and their aspirations for a separate administrative unit have been communicated to the centre only through verbal communication and memorandums since long. We expect the high office at the centre to take cognition of aspiration of the people and grant the rights of the tribal people of Manipur. The patience of the Hill tribal are being tried and if our voice is not heard on time the consequences would be great loss for the hill tribal as well as for the Indian people. I also appeal to the hill tribal of all the north eastern states to awake from their long clumber and work towards achieving this goal.
Er. S. Ashiho John (S.E.Retd)
Advisor Tribal People Organisation, Manipur
