VALLEY v/s HILLS: A CRITIQUE

By R Rungsung
Manipur today is in a state of disorder (in a deeper sense anarchy) having a triangle body that consists of i) Valley nationalists, ii) Kuki Nationalists, iii) Naga nationalists wherein each body claims respective authority and rights that produce contradictions and impasse among the organisations and as a consequence this directly have or bears its impact good or bad in the minds of general public.

The beginning of the disorders started from the root of Naga uprising against the mighty India, and gradually and eventually took root and expanded its cause to wider areas that ultimately engulfed Manipur. The camera zooms in for close-up, focusing on internal violence. Actually the exalted Manipur, Sanaleibak and its people has lost all sense of direction. A time comes when you can no longer blame your (our) problems on other people. In Pogo's immortal words, 'We have met the enemy, and he is us'. Today we are in a mess. Foes or friends?

Among the three organisations (group of people) the Meiteis are majority and are dominating in running the Govt and have the lion's share in all fields and other aspects of life. In this scenario I cannot blame all the ills of life here in Manipur solely to the Meitei community. Since the time of Union Territory till to this day all the past Govts were borne and shouldered together both by valley and hill leaders of good or bad quality. The second majority community, the Nagas, has been spearheading for its homeland and identity since last many years to which the valley people took strong and stringent methods at all costs to curb the Nagas struggle for its rights.

This is the crux in the process of co-existence honouring one another. Herein comes the Kuki organization whose views and ways are tilted either toward the valley or the Naga way. In this, Churachandpur is a summarising volcano that can/ will erupt anytime and spew down the burning ashes upon the inhabitants.

In a fair game, Meiteis and Nagas are on a see-saw plank each looking to Delhi with bated breathe and sleepless nights hoping for or hoping against in which Delhi is playing hide and seek policy with false and unpredictable promises, one at valley and another at hill areas. In such dirty play of Delhi I can boldly say that we are all in the control of God. God has his own timing and finally God's will prevail. In this case men are free to obey or disobey. However, that disobedience is not beyond God's power. He knows and planned to judge the evil activities. Delhi is not honest.

Among the issues ‘territorial integrity Vs Naga integration’ is the hottest one where all Meiteis irrespective of clans, organizations, lups and political parties are solidly one - a solid state like the unbreakable rock firmly standing as a family for one Manipur. It is good to know that stand and a commendable practical collective action. On the other hand Nagas are divided and today Nagas are experiencing a time of money-monger, disobedient to God, selfish, etc like Israel at the time of Old Testaments. And yet we believe that for a few faithful and trustworthy people a time will come for God's intervention sooner or later. The promise cannot be changed. God is always there.

God loves Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis and all. His intention is good. He will not allow dishonest Delhi leaders to bluff and crush us for the benefits and advantages of others. In the sight of God India's power is nothing and yet he cares for all.

On the course of Naga areas uniting with other Naga areas, Meiteis are bitter and aghast where its remedy will only be in the channel of understanding one another and seek peace among ourselves. Here Nagas will not or never reverse its course and will go on come what may and Meiteis will never give up the logic of one Manipur. So a big what? A good and well prepared confrontation is firmly set or a line is drawn between the contending parties. Shall we have to call for Delhi umpire? I wish not.

I don't want to enter and entertain the argument on the merits and demerits of belongingness to Meiteis or Nagas or Kukis out of which one of the contending group/party will emerge as winner but will further slide down-hill and will drifted apart. The best thing is to come together for good. If not willing, going one's way without disturbing other(s) is best.

This may sound unpleasant and non-acceptable logic to the valley people. If so undesirable confrontation of any kind may/will occur/ erupt paving the way to heavy burden and loss of precious lives. If this happens then that action will be final for total separation and departure on parallel road. I hope this will not happen. Naga is a nation-not an individual. As such a nation cannot be sacrificed at the cost of others.

Let us consider the past histories of various countries around the world. Viz (i) USA destroyed Japan with atom bombs that led to Japan's surrender in WW2.
Today they are closely related countries in security, economics and trades. 2. USA liberated from the British Empire and they are the best inseparable partners in all matters exercising world power. So are Meiteis and Tangkhuls related as they are ethnically related. 3. India under the yoke and rule of British suffered a lot. And yet today million of Indian origins are there as the full citizens of UK having members in both the houses of Parliament as Sir and Lord. Plus in commerce and trades are Mittal corpus, The Hindujas, Swaraj Paul & Co and so on. 4. A case to take a close look is the gone empire, the USSR, that broke up into fifteen independent nations with the formation of commonwealth of independent states exercising her own rights respecting one another for good.

In this line of advanced ideology Meiteis brothers and sisters will have to abandon the narrow ideology of self-possessiveness (Imphal Valley means all Manipur) and also forsake the boasting words, such as Sana Leipak with very limited resources (living on the doles of Delhi) which you call Manipur. The very name/title Manipur does not carry meaning in the minds and hearts of the hill people.

Someday, sooner or later, valley will have more Nagas than today and the hills will have more (many thousands) Meiteis like million Indians in the UK. In my humble opinion your ideas of possessiveness and the exercise of superiority are the main blockades that hamper the way to good relationship and peaceful co-existence.

Considering the living dead law called, the MLR and LA Act, of Manipur passed and enshrined in the code book has become a fish out of water. The mere fact of it is that the Act does not carry the people's mandate except those twenty tribal MLA stooges. The hope of Meiteis to reap the harvest baulked at the rockwall.

In the hearts of hill people there is no love lost for the valley. The significance of our love for you is testified by church buildings in town and in Leikais. So long valley people see them the bond of love is there. This critique is based on the words predicted in Puya (Puran) like ... leipak kangkhong chaigani... amaga-ama nungshinaloi. .. nongpokthong hanggani... phingang shetpana joi uoikani... yaiphapa matam lakani... kuiraloi loishinrani.