The Manipur tribals including Manipur Nagas have been living with their valley based Meitei brothers for the last so many centuries. The brethren relationship between Tribals and Meiteis has been strained as Tribals are denied of their constitutional rights by their Meitei brothers. Thus, to let Tribals live in a separate state (other than Manipur state) is eminent.
If the two brothers of a family does not understand their basic needs and requirements each other for harmonious and healthy family, they are to live in separate houses as neighbourers. A good neighbourer is preferable to brothers of an unsound family. In the past decades facilities and constitutional rights of tribals relating to Health Care, Schooling, Employment, Autonomy, Local Self Government etc. etc. been subdued/deprived of by the majority community. The developmental works in the hill areas are like a young sapling under shady and thorny forest. The resolution claimed to have been passed in the name of All Political Parties on 22nd October, 2005 for maintaining status quo pertaining to delimitation of the Assembly Constituencies is an ample example of depriving of the Constitutional Rights against Tribals of Manipur by their Meitei brothers.
It may be recalled that the Delimitation Commission of India on the basis of General Census of India - 2001 deemed fit for fresh realignment of Manipur Legislative Assembly Seats. To this effect some increases and decreases of Assembly Seats in 9 (nine) districts of Manipur were inevitable. As per findings of Election Delimitation Commission of India, the Senapati district could gain 3 (three) more seats, Ukhrul and Chandel districts 1 (one) each while in valley districts, Imphal West lost 2 (two), Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal 1 (one) each. This proposal of Delimitation Commission have been worked out on the basis of population cum voters of the Assembly Constituencies not on the basis of hill and valley districts.
The motive of All Political Party Meeting held on 22nd October, 2005 is to deprive the rights of equal representation and discrimination against tribals.
The official voter list of 2005 has shown unscrupulous difference of voters between valley Assembly Constituencies and hill Assembly Constituencies as tabulated hereunder at Annexure - A & B.
It is also pertinent to point out that as per Census of India - 2001 ratios of populations to respective Assembly Constituencies are not uniformed as per tabulation given at Annexure - C and as such a fresh realignment of Assembly Constituencies is highly warranted for the end of justice and communal harmony in the state.
In case Meitei brothers are resorting to their motive for non-fresh realignment of Assembly Constituencies, their day to day propagation for Manipur territory integrity is a big Liar and the movement of Manipur Nagas for Naga Integration with Nagas of other states is fully justified and to attain the same.
Now the ball is in the hands of Meitei politicians whether they want to fragment/disintegrate the territory of Manipur or not. Meitei brothers requires presence of Tribals but denies their facilities. The Tribals cannot live with Meiteis as servant and master. The former President of United Naga Council, Manipur warned valley politicians to think carefully before it is too late.
L. Benjamin, Former President,
United Naga Council, Manipur
