Of late there have been numerous accusations by tribal organisations from within and beyond the state against the Government of Manipur, more often singling out the Chief Minister for being a Meitei and sometimes targeting those settled in the valley areas on any matter that is detrimental to the diverted aspiration of the NSCN (IM).
It is an irony that even non-state entities had jumped into the slam-Manipur Government voices under the pretext of protecting rights of the Nagas and their unique history.
While it is the rightful choice of those parties to protect Nagas’ right it seems there is no substantial evidence of point out the so-called ‘unique history’. In my opinion, the only uniqueness of Nagas’ history is they never enjoyed the bond of togetherness in any form other than the well documented history on being head-hunters – seldom thinking twice before drawing their swords (daos) to settle land disputes, with the latter phenomenon even continuing in this modern age as could be established from the ongoing row in Jessami area, Mao-Khuzama border and the periodical skirmishes between the Konyak and Chang tribes of Nagaland to name a few.
In the modern parlance, the only thing common to the hill tribes of Nagaland and Manipur is that they have embraced Christianity, thanks to the colonial Britishers who tamed the wildness of the hill settlers with the compassionate preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In fact, regarding history, tribal people of Manipur have similarities more closer to the Meiteis in terms of tradition and culture, with the exception of religion – the Meiteis converted into Hindus through promulgations of the ancient rulers (kings) and the tribal people drawn into Christianity after the arrival of British missionaries. If the onslaughts against the Manipur Government is carried out to further the covert agenda of NSCN (IM) but is not made public the said organisations frequently rely on the theory of ‘discriminatory attitude’ of the Government and lack of development in the hill districts.
While it would be far from convincing to prove that Manipur Government had indeed discriminated the people of the hill areas it is worth noting that barring Imphal which is the capital of Manipur there are numerous pockets in the valley districts too where development is still a far cry away. For instance absence of all-weather roads, lack of clean drinking water, crumbling school buildings, poor health care facilities etc are also common sights in the valley districts.
Merely travelling on the national and state highways that passes through the capital districts and assuming that some of the well maintained roads symbolises development would be naive and premature conclusion as it need no explanation that capital area deserve to have better facilities – if not the best – compared to the districts. The towering street lamps in some areas of the capital may present like a well-maintained city street by day-time but travel on these stretches at night and one will witness that there is hardly any light to lit up the lamps.
Assuming that development funds meant for sprucing up hill district areas are diverted to maintain Imphal city is most misconceived notion and certainly invite severe criticism as like any other states of the country capital area are destined to be kept in a palatable manner. If not convinced with this brief explanation I am afraid some people might accuse New Delhi of daylight robbery as the national capital have facilities unimaginable to the people of Manipur.
One thing that may draw my hill brethren’ attention in concluding that Imphalites are enjoying brighter life might be bikes and mopeds whizzing through the Imphal streets. But please do make enquiries and it will come to thy light that parents here have to spend their lifetime’s saving to satisfy their wards’ niggling demands – some families even having to trade off their lands in purchasing the expensive motors. These are some of the gloomy facts behind ‘Imphal shining’. Well, regarding hill areas lagging behind, please investigate how many Ministers, MLAs, bureaucrats and influential Govt officers have their palatial homes in the valley areas besides at their native places – even though they may comparably be less distinct or attractive.
Make a survey of some settlement areas of hill people in Imphal areas and I am sure those sentimental brothers would not find it too hard to speculate from what sources were the palatial buildings of these Ministers and bureaucrats built.
It would be better if my dear brothers put their house in order before blaming the valley people for their woes.
Valley areas survive due to its congested nature of population concentration. Economy of a land does not necessarily mean dependence on geographical sizes but the people among whom money change hands for more sustainable growth. Beware of those anti-Manipur propagandists for they would not hesitate to take the people for a ride in order to get some monetary gains that could enable them to buy land and build houses at Imphal!
In addition to 20 legislators making up the 60 member strong state assembly and currently two MPs out of three belonging to the hill communities, top district administrators have substantial representation of non-Meitei officers.
It is also worth remembering that before the dark phase of ethnic cleansing of the Kukis the word ‘Naga’ was very much alien in Manipur where the hill people have their distinct identity and religious practices.
On joining of Nagaland-based organisations in bashing the Manipur government and the majority Meiteis would it not be wiser to take up the cause of villagers living in remote areas there rather than being misinformed by their Manipur cahoots?
For example, with the exception of Kohima and Dimapur there is hardly any district in that state where there is no problem of drinking water, roadways, medical facilities, educational institutions, some of the grievances common to rural folks of Manipur as well.
A recent report published in newspapers here cited NSF alleging that hill people have suffered a lot at the hands of the Meiteis.What misconducts Meiteis had committed against their hill brethren would be reasonable if the accusations could be elaborated.
In my observation the only suffering hill people faced against the Meiteis is in the competitive field of games and sports, education, technical studies, medical lines, cultural exposition, craftsmanship etc and in no sense these are inhumane treatment. Sportspersons of Manipur (say Meiteis) have proved beyond doubt their calibre in the national and international arena while those produced from the hill areas are still countable on the fingertips.
These sporting exploits do not necessary mean the Meiteis enjoy better facilities as sports equipment available in the capital districts are equally accessible to the many hill youths settled here. Talent is secondary in sports as it is the willingness and grit to tolerate extreme pressure and workload in the practice rooms/playfields that determines the final outcome of being able to compete with the best.
NSF may also be enlightened that there is no question of imposing Meitei will upon the hill students as the hill students are given the options of either studying Manipuri language in the form of roman script or pursue any major Indian language of their choice.
Moreover, what is the need to cry hoarse when a particular community desires to promote its own indigenous dialect and script which is equal to protecting its culture and tradition.
Similarly, prescribing ‘phaneks’ for female students is not tantamount to imposing Meitei culture on others as such an attire is an integral part of the hill people’s dress from time immemorial.
Opposing ‘phaneks’ as uniform in educational institutions is akin to contending that jeans and tops were associated with non-Meitei communities of Manipur. Section of the hill community blaming the Meiteis for lack of medical personnel in the hills are uncalled for as seats are reserved for scheduled tribe candidates for medical studies.
Similar provisions are there for STs during recruitment in any State Government departments including Home and Education sector.
The recent conduct of some organisations spearheading burning of Manipur board text-books also lacks justification as on the one hand a group is campaigning for introduction of Nagaland board text-books while on the other some hill NGOs are demanding cent percent recruitment of teachers – in the Manipur Government department – belonging to the hill districts.
Does this exercise of adopting Nagaland prepared text book mean that Nagas of Manipur would also opt for jobs in the neighbouring state or would launch phases of agitation to demand Government services in Manipur? This exercise is nothing short of provoking the people here.
I’m really sad to learn that the recently discovered Nagas of Manipur are determined to abandon their forefathers by preferring to embrace Nagaland text-books which only lead to backtracking from the road to mental development of the children.
In short, how could Tangkhuls justify that they are ethnically, historically and culturally closer to the people of Nagaland? Nagaland already has countless tribal groups and I don’t think many of them would be willing to split their share with the people having their roots in the soil of Manipur.
Enquire what recruitment procedures is laid down in entering Nagaland Government services and one can confirm that Maos, Tangkhuls, Zeliangrongs and of course Meiteis have to change their names, discard their qualifications, relevant documents etc to get a job there.
In the pursuit for Naga unification, would it not be appropriate if some of the agitation sponsors instruct their brothers, sisters, uncles and aunties to give up their jobs in the Manipur Government department. This will be highly appreciated even by their adversaries. Or for that matter it will be more justifiable if bodies unhesitatingly crippling Manipur’s economy by choking National Highways connecting the State carry out their objective in a democratic, transparent and impartial manner instead of pasting clearance papers on window panes or carrying flags on goods-laden trucks that signals blockade enforcers to ensure smooth passage of certain loaded trucks bound for hill district locations, mostly Senapati district.
Last but not the least Meiteis are tolerating all the abuses not for the fear of physical prowess but it clearly symbolises or reflects maturity as they (Meiteis) are fully aware of the fact that some vested interest are trying to lit communal fire so that NSCN (IM), by twisting historical facts, could convince the central government that Meiteis and self-acclaimed Manipuri Nagas cannot live together as one.
This is just a lame excuse for the NSCN-IM’s failed endeavour to achieve sovereignty. Most of the IM leaders, thanks to the ceasefire have become pot-bellied with some indelible factors and causes being rampant extortions from trucks of Manipur.
S Mobicha
Thangmeiband, Imphal
