Kedi Haralu
The recent statement made by the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil during a question hour at the Lok Sabha on the 5th of August 2005 that he had directed the Security Forces to prevent the ongoing economic blockade at Manipur, is rather disturbing, for this may call for a full frontal confrontation between the Security Force who will be having direct order to use “whatever measures” and the Student Body who will stick to their posts regardless of what. A bloodbath is just waiting to take place and for what, the apathy and the “damn care” attitude of the Center, for right from the time of Jawaharlal Nehru (who is responsible for first deploying troops to Nagaland) to Moraji Desai (who was one of the main instigators for continued armed conflict) to Indira Gandhi (her catalytic policy, which was the result of the attack on the Golden Temple and her NE policy) to Rajiv Gandhi (who was responsible for the IPKF and also keeping his mothers policy on the NE alive) and now Sonia Gandhi (for we know who makes and takes all the decision) the use of force has always been an option. And to think the founder of the non-violence movement was none other than Mahatma Gandhi.
The ANSAM and other Naga NGO’s of Manipur have had their share of problems but it is encouraging to know that the Chief Minister’s tactic on using the Integrity Day as a tool for his own political gain, has been thwarted and now the tables have been turned on him. The Manipur CM’s refusal to hold talks at Senapati is either due to his lack of confidence on his infamous IRB, to protect him or his guilty conscience on the whole issue. He has lit the fire and only he can douse the fire and he cannot expect others to do it for him. The AMUCO and the Meitei Frontal Organization have to bite back their pride for a change, for if they start any violent movement at Imphal, it is the Meiteis who will be suffering and not the Nagas, so the only solution is show humility and come forward with a solution and not bargain, for have they not mistreated the Nagas enough?
The recent political scenario at Manipur, especially the Naga inhabited areas should not be interfered by any organization, be it over-ground or under-ground, for it just gives the Manipur Government, as well as the Central Government an excuse to misconstrue the whole movement, thus prolonging the mandate of the people and ultimately giving it an insurgency blend. The people’s decision should be made by public opinion and not by any factions, for if one faction spearheads the movement, the other factions will certainly find windows to oppose, for unity amongst Nagas have never been there and will never be possible until the second coming of Christ.
While on the subject, there have been a number of atrocities initiated committed, using the name of various factions, which is starting to affect the relationship between the Nagas of Manipur and Nagas of Nagaland. If this is not rectified by those responsible they would be the ones who will suffer in the long run, most significantly it is only when they humble themselves will the Nagas share their land, and support the Nagas of Manipur, otherwise they will be alienated by the Meiteis on the one hand and on the other hand the Nagas of Nagaland will start to despise their presence. So ultimately who stands to lose?
The economic blockade too, if it continues, will surely bring down the ire of International organisations which in turn will be detrimental to the Naga cause for we too need the support of these international organisations, thus being blacklisted for our own error in decision making and taking will have far reaching consequence. One aspect which all organisation need to realize is that it is the policy of the Manipur Government which we are against and not the general public, and as a Christian it is not right for us to show our old heathen nature but we need to be wiser and more God fearing in whatever steps we take. Another folly which the Nagaland Government cannot be let off so quickly is the use of our police for the cause of the political issue of another State. Let the Manipur police take the headache of giving and providing security and not us. Why should we pit one Naga brother against the other and cause much bad blood and why should we spend our energy and finance on the security issue. The recent situation in Manipur is the sole making of the Ibobi led Government, so let him settle this his own way. Let his headache be his headache and not ours.
In conclusion, the issue between the Police force and the Students should also be amicably settled and there should be maturity on both sides and forgive and forget for we are all brothers but in different garbs and organisation. The Police officers must reign in their boys and the student leaders need to be more stringent against those volunteers who go overboard. What will happen next in this whole imbroglio is His Almighty’s wish therefore all we can do is pray and wait and not take any hasty decisions or make any hasty statements in the media, for the betterment of our own welfare. As I read an article the other day by “Sovereignty is Divine Property” and I should add “Integration is Divine Will”.
(The writer is a senior journalist and presently Press Secretary to both Members of Parliament from Nagaland)
