IMPHAL, June 10: “Rebel outfits of Manipur have three options before them with India’s powerful regional diplomacy in recent times. For the last captains of the Northeastern rebellions, there is not much time before they have to make a difficult choice”.
Eminent journalist and editor of the Seven Sister Post, Subir Bhaumik was giving a lecture during the 7th Arambam Somorendra Memorial Lecture as part of the 12th Death Anniversary observation of the Martyr at the JNM Dance Academy hall today.
He elaborated that the three choices before the outfits are –joining a dialogue with India, seeking and getting Chinese support and sanctuary, or returning to fight within their own state like the Maoists do and risk military and political annihilation.
Subir lecture was on the theme ‘Northeast: A Thousand Assertive Ethnicities’.
Continuing with his lecture, Subir said the theme is not the easiest for a lecture given the extant sensitivities.
He observed, “The struggling ethnicities of the region have continued to challenge the ‘nation building process’”.
“Yet at the same time”, the author records, “the guns which are trained on India are just as easily directed against one another”.
Continuing his lecture on the much talked about Look East policy, he said that its success lies mainly on the use of the North East region of India as the preferred route to reach out to other Asian countries.
Questioning the Centre, if the NE region will be considered as the preferred route to connect the country with the other Asian countries under the policy, the editor said using any other alternative routes like the sea route through the Bay of Bengal would not be feasible.
The main function of the observation was held at the Mausoleum of the late Martyr at Khurai Salanthong Nadeibam Leikai.
Mentioned may be made that Arambam Somorendra was shot death by an unidentified person on June 10, 2000 in front of the Social Standard Club, Salanthong.
The function was organized jointly by the Arambam Somorendra Trust, Sagolband Meino Leirak and Social Standard Club, Salanthong.
Main highlights of the observation include offering floral tributes to his bust, presentation of children’s Moirang Parva by Kangjabi Meitei Chanu Artists cum Drama Association.
Hundreds of people from different parts of the state arrived to pay their respect at the Mauseleum during the observation.
The observation at Salanthong was followed by a lecture on the social visionary of contemporary Manipur by imminent journalist Subir Bhaumik at JNM dance Academy hall.
Subir’s lecture was followed by a brief discussion on the same theme, participated by Human Rights Defender, Manipur, Babloo Loitongbam and writer from Nagaland Kaka D Iralu.
The discussion was moderated by Dean School of Human & Environment Science, Manipur University Prof W Nabakumar.
While Iralu initiated the discussion with the people rights on their land, natural resources and minerals available in their region, Babloo Loitongbam continued with the right to self-determination of the people of the region on the said issue.
The day was also observed at several other places of the state and Assam.
The Ideal Club, Tera observed the day with a sepak takraw tournament, while the Manipur State Shumang Lila Council observed the day with a symposium at the Iboyaima Sumang Lila Shanglen.
The day was also observed at the Kondong Lairembi Haraobung Moreh organized by the Meitei Council,, Moreh and at Sahitya Parishad Sanglen Hojai, Assam organized by Ayeeba Lup, Hojai Assam and Jiribam Town Hall organized by Jiri Development Organization.
It was observed at Kangmong, Lainingthou Puthiba Shanglen, Khurai, Kongba, Khongman Heirok, Wabagai, Pole Star College, Bishnupur Bazar, Toubul among others.