R Rungsung
For years, a state like Manipur having a population of much less than a district of U.P. or West Bengal had been in India Political arena as a junior team without any trophy or a consolation certificate. Politicians after politicians played the role of king Sisyphus who was condemned to roll a heavy stone up a steep hill only to have it roll down again as it nears the top. The stone gather no moss but instead the stone became scratched with poke marks and look ugly and rough.
Manipur polity is, in reality, a game of hide and seeks not knowing who will find what and for whom the game is played. The gamesters met at the corner and baulked at one another and they further went to Delhi with the begging bowl to feed people at home. Its rulers (Meiteis or tribal) had dumped scores of public projects which had run down the drains mixing with mires and silted at the bottom of Loktak Lake.
Most of the elected or all members lacked committed sense of people’s welfare with their minds morally turpitude and see only money through three (3) legged chair. On the other hand some public and coterie feel good and happy in the hope of getting unmerited and undeserved money for doing no works when your or his or my elected representatives sit in the power chair. Who cares? I or you or he or they die today or tomorrow! For whom the government is tolling the bell? Here in Manipur the ones who know how to steal live better and are well-off.
Whatever the condition(s) we are in today none or nobody can safely escape from the turmoil since we are in the same room having the same temperature and bearing the same heat, hot or cold. No use of raising finger accusing and pointing at one another. Knowing the reality what Manipur today is, it would be good to know who is who and what is what wherein the reality shows that valley people do not have a single resource to sustain themselves whereas hills are abound with many mineral resources unexplored. And yet Valley people are kings and hill people are slaves to nourish valley people. So the battle cries of valley people to shackle tribals with the calling of names. This is their modus operandi.
Over and above all, the valley underground movement plus Naga issue have created more complications and entanglement goes deeper wherein tribals feel unsafe and Valley people, like buffaloes, are wallowing in the field chewing the cud. One out of many instances was that Rs. 5 crore from Tribal Welfare Fund was utilized/ diverted to the construction of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal that hosted the 5th National Games. Out of tribal funds Imphal valley is shining which they call “Manipur is shining-Manipur Sana Leipak (golden land)”. Sweet to hear?
Whatever mindset the valley people have against the Nagas we have only one clear mind that at all cost Nagas must be united for the good of all. In this very matter the Meiteis have to answer a very authentic question related to history that says: “Tangkhul is the elder brother of Meitei”. As such the meiteis have to admit it and affix “Meitei Naga” like other Nagas. Nagas welcome you. Better redeem the lost entity. If not, we better keep silent.
One does not see nor know the reasons about the Meiteis being so furious and angry with the Nagas. For the uncertain tomorrow it would be best to follow the right path and seek the good neighbor. Creating turbulence will cause harm and futile. Nagas will not fall back nor will ever flinch from its course to destination.
The talk for peace with practical application in words and in deeds is the only way to peaceful co-existence. Why should we blame New Delhi without doing our homework’s?
