Nation First, Party Second, is a credo I love and believe to be best for the nation. What transpired in Manipur instead turned out to be persons first, party second, and, nation...?
Manipur has witnessed ethnic turmoil for the last 11 months. The head of government has openly sided with one particular community to the extent that even as chief minister (N. Biren Singh), he no longer dared to visit certain districts dominated by the “other” side. In the process, the government has lost its way and its moral authority.
Apart from a decades-long denial of tribal rights through audacious neglect of constitutional provisions, the last few years saw the ascendancy of greed by the majority community, especially in territorial terms. This is at the heart of the ongoing conflict, as well as of the long-standing trust deficit between the valley and the hills.
Of the three major communities in the state, Kuki and Naga tribals got disillusioned with the sharing of resources and spread of development, leading to insurgence. Rather than addressing such injustices, the majority community plays a version of divide and rule between the Kuki and Naga people. The current and previous dispensations in the state allowed/neglected/instigated narratives of discord between communities. The Kukis were labelled foreigners, illegal immigrants, poppy cultivators, drug peddlers, etc. A responsible government would have nipped such elements in the bud. But nay! Even a responsible position holder joined the chorus, calling the Kukis “Junglee” on his social media handle.
The outcome of the lies and malignant false narratives was a planned ethnic cleansing of the Kukis, with Kuki households in Imphal valley marked with red on the pretext of some survey, targetted and razed. The hatred generated by such a narrative is reflected in the barbarity of the killings and the raping of women on camera.
Against such a backdrop, the Kuki representatives in the Manipur Assembly voiced their people’s desire for a separate administration. Rather than discussing the legitimate demands of a section of aggrieved citizens, the Union home minister visited Imphal and echoed the voices of the radicalised majority community.
While holding elections in Manipur with the prevalent lawlessness and sharp demographic divisions itself is ill-advised, the government appears to use the same as a stamp of normalcy before the world, which is tragic. There are instances of threats to candidates of Opposition parties as well as disruption of campaign gatherings by gunfire.
Looking ahead, any government that comes to power at the Centre must address three issues to end the conflict in Manipur. Protection of tribal territory under the Constitution must be strengthened. Second, a generous measure of political, administrative and financial separation between the valley and the hills. Third, justice (prosecution of culprits) and restoration measures for victims of the violence. However, all the above need to be preceded by dismissal of the present government in the state.
Elections may come and go, but as long as lies and majority massaging are the new credo, justice will wither and the nation can only be headed towards its destruction. I still stand for Nation First.
Satyameva Jayate.
- Inner Manipur voted on April 19. Parts of Outer Manipur voted on April 19 & the remaining segments vote today
The writer is a first-time ruling BJP MLA from Manipur's Saikot Assembly constituency. Views expressed in this article are personal