The visit of T.R. Zeliang, Chief Minister of Nagaland, to the 1st Conference of the Naga Village Authority of South Nagalim, at Senapati, Manipur, might be the plan of God, the creator of heaven and earth. His visit and the speech he gave were bitterly opposed by all apex organizations of Meeteis. Here, let me give a short brief of history of Nagas in Manipur. Nagas in the so called Manipur state, under the banner of United Naga Council, have declared the political severance of ties with existing government of Manipur in 2010. Now all Nagas in Manipur, young and old, have inculcated an indelible political feeling that they and their lands are no longer part of GoM. Taking this step of decision is their political right. Our history is crystal clear, a dual system of administration for Nagas (Hills) and Meities (Imphal Valleys) came into existence only yesterday when British annexed the Meetei kingdom in 1891. From the time of immemorial, prior to this date Nagas and tribal people in the present state of Manipur were a self-governed and self-administered people. I need not tell this as everybody knows and even our rivals know better. The Hills were administered by the political department of the British Crown. In 1949, Meeteis under their Maharaja (king) were merged with the Indian Union, without the consent of Nagas and other tribal people. Then, present forceful joint administration/government of Meeteis and Hill people came into existence with political unwillingness of Nagas. This is the factor of political unrest in South Nagaland at present in Manipur. Since the imposition of forceful joint administration, Govt. of Manipur, who has Meitei-Majority, South Nagas living in Manipur have been deprived of all human amenities. They are enduring all forms of intolerable problems like suppression, oppression and exploitation from the majority community. The Meeteis hold and control all forms of powers, amenities, facilities and rights by devious manipulation and sinister design. Some instances of well-known manipulations are: 1. The Meetei community has created 40 constituencies out of 60 constituencies in the State purely out of the population count and not basing on the area owned by them. 2. They have created 4 districts in Imphal valley, which is not even 3000 sq.kms in geographical area. Is this fair to the other communities viz. the hill tribes? 3. By creating these 4 districts, the Meeteis are grasping and utilizing the bulk facilities and amenities thereby depriving the hill districts. This is definitely injustice. 4. The Naga MLAs and Ministers are aware of this fact but since they are in minority, do not risk to differ and stand for the rights of their people while some may be hand in glove with all the connivance and dubious ways of the Meeteis for their own selfish gains. 5. The easy conversion of General status of Meeteis to Other Backward Class status is not at all correct and also a grave cause concern. If this is true for the General category the same should be applied to ST category as well. It is heartening to realize that now the South Nagas have woken up from their slumber and started voicing their political right of having their own administrative governance. 1. The United Naga Council (UNC) had rightfully demanded to sever ties from the existing government of Manipur state and thereby to form another new Administrative Unit (statehood) 2. By forming a new Administration Unit, it will be named as South Nagaland State and ultimately go on the United States of Nagaland (Nagalim) [USN] in the manner and style of the United States of America. 3. As written earlier the South Naga MLAs and Ministers should think seriously and resign en-masse at the earliest. They will be assured of the best opportunities. 4. The Manipur state territorial integrity and disintegration is rested only in the hands of the South Nagas. We have every right and freedom to choose our identity and our own right cause shall prevail. 5. Conducting State Assembly Election in the State of Manipur should not be allowed till all the prevailing political anomalies are set right and the present political imbroglio is resolved. 6. If we persevere, surely the Truth shall prevail. The wisdom of Late K. Zhimomi, (former M.P.) of Nagaland was the only solution for political unrest in Manipur. He had envisaged that the prevailing political situations and problems in Manipur would be solved only when two Union States are created - One for South Nagas (South Nagaland) and the other as before - Manipur State. His dream is our dream. Let this dream be come true sooner than later. KUKNALIM Er. Asiho John (S.E. Rtd), Advisor to Tribal People’s Organisation, Manipur & Former President, South Nagas’ Union of Nagaland State
