Does Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh have a plan to deal with the situation arising out of the demand for alternative arrangement by Naga civil society groups? There is certainly an issue here not to be ignored and which needs to be tackled in the interest of the territorial integrity of state. Ever since the Bangkok ceasefire agreement, a clear divide has emerged between the civil society groups of Nagas and the valley on the question of territoriality. The rigid stances of both the parties have further deepened the rift. While the NSCN-IM is seeking a greater Nagalim by carving slices of territories from three neighbouring states, the valley based civil society groups and other non-Naga communities are against it. The level of intensity may vary from community to community, but a clear objection to the demand is there. As the crisis drags on for more than fifteen years, the hostile atmosphere had become more and more charged reaching to almost a point of no return. Tragedy is that, we are not applying our mind on how to defuse the situation. The rigid stances on the question of territoriality may be hard to break, but there is always a way out with regard to breaking the ice on inter-community relations if we are sincere enough. We have seen the benevolent action of Mao students and youths during the racist violence against north-easterners in mainland India. Scores of valley based organisations had been making appeals to UNC for calling off the bandh in view of the NE exodus. And it seems the preparations for enforcing the bandh transformed into helplines for the state boys and girls returning home with whatever baggage they could grab in a hurry. The warm welcome that was extended to the weary home bound students and other travellers at Mao Gate and along the highway had given a sigh of relief to them. The feeling of insecurity that had haunted them in the journey had gone away suddenly by that gesture. Another positive response was the unprecedented gathering of student bodies cutting across community lines to deal with the problems arising out of the exodus. Representatives of AMSU, MSF, DESAM, SUK, SWAK, KSA, The Kuki Students’ Organization, General HQ, KSO, Zeliangrong Students Union, ZSU, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong and the Pangal Students Organization had gathered at the headquarters of the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) in Imphal and made a joint statement. We had thought, at last these bodies who had been at odds for quite some time had put their thinking heads together. It was too good to be true. Somehow, it did not last and now we are back to square one. We must say, those two incidents were successful in melting the ice. But, we did not use that opportunity to further the cause of shared historical experiences and cement the sense of brotherhood which was alive at that point of time. Yet, we must not cry over spilled milk. There is still time and hope for communal harmony. Let us begin exploring the commonalities and reopen the chapters of shared historical experiences between the peoples inhabiting this region. Let us also discuss the issues of interdependence and explore new possibilities for the body politic of the state of Manipur. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi might say his Government is committed to fulfilling aspirations of all the communities based on the principle of composite development instead of partisan measures which would strain inter- community relationships. But he has not spelled out how he is going to achieve that and he does not have a plan or well-thought policy to deal with the situation. His words and deeds are of the government which is insensitive to the sense of brotherhood and interdependence. He might assure the territorial integrity of Manipur. But at what cost? Manipur’s hope does not lie either with Ibobi Singh or the government. It is for the civil societies to work out a solution and begin stitching up the damaged fabric of Manipur.
