2 steps formula from Mizoram MP Dangerously mischievous
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There are elements out there who do nothing except add fuel to the fire with their outlandish ‘formula’, going so far as to prescribe steps that could resolve the ongoing ethnic clash in Manipur. A two step solution, this is the model championed by Rajya Sabha MP from Mizoram K Vanlalvena and far from being a solution, such a proposition has all the ingredients to further muddy the already muddied water. On closer look it is not even a two step formula for the steps the honourable MP has spelt out runs into three steps-first remove N Biren as the Chief Minister of Manipur, secondly impose President’s Rule and thirdly administratively divide Manipur into hills and valley and let the Kuki-Zos stay under a separate administrative set up. Not surprisingly the fantastical model floated by the politician from Mizoram has not gone down well with Manipur, with Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba stepping in and advising the Mizoram MP ‘don’t cross the line’ and ‘be a good neighbour.’ That this came after Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma openly pitched for setting up a Kuki-Zo Nation by carving out territories from Myanmar, Bangladesh and India’s North East while addressing a gathering at the United States recently connects the dot and a pattern emerges. And it is this pattern which has been driving the offensives from the Kuk-Zo militants and it is this which Manipur should not lose sight of. The politics at work, the manner in which the false narratives of the Kuki-Zos have been highlighted to the global audience and across the country, with even the European Parliament taking the issue up at one point of time, should all be pointers to the level of politics that can be taken by the advocates of the Separate Administration call and this should not blow over the heads of all who stand by the idea of Manipur as a geo-political reality. It is against this reality that Manipur should proceed to negate any agenda that threatens the existence of the place and her people and for this to happen, all should be aware of the reality. A reality which says that there is at least one State of the Indian Union which has openly backed the call of the Kuki-Zo militants with a longer vision of ultimately creating a Christian State with backings from some of the more powerful global players. The question is whether Manipur is ready to face the challenges which have been growing by the day for over 18 months now, with no sign that normalcy will set in any time in the coming days.
For starters Manipur has to show that there is a Government in place. Imphal should have the gumption and the moral courage to stand up and spell out the stand of Manipur before New Delhi with conviction. And perhaps the best point to start this should be to start questioning why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has till date not thought it fit to grant even a few minutes of time to delegates from Manipur to discuss the issue. The Congress has been targeting the Prime Minister for refusing to visit Manipur even once in the last 18 months, but the question of greater import is why the Prime Minister has not deemed it necessary to meet any political leaders from Manipur. Or if Delhi is hesitant to meet political leaders, why not meet social leaders, personalities whose credentials are above board ? And more importantly have rooms been created for the non-war mongers to voice their opinion and stand on the issue ? A point which Manipur should seriously deliberate upon and in the process also try to reach out to the other major community, the Nagas which have so far maintained a neutral stand. The service of the Naga community may be utilised to break the ice and see how the process to put Manipur on the track of normalcy may be charted. So far there is nothing to suggest that any initiative on this count has been taken up but the reality demands that such an approach be adopted. Eighteen months of conflict is too long and too many people from either side of the clash divide have died. The focus of the Government and the different CSOs of Manipur should not be lost.
For starters Manipur has to show that there is a Government in place. Imphal should have the gumption and the moral courage to stand up and spell out the stand of Manipur before New Delhi with conviction. And perhaps the best point to start this should be to start questioning why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has till date not thought it fit to grant even a few minutes of time to delegates from Manipur to discuss the issue. The Congress has been targeting the Prime Minister for refusing to visit Manipur even once in the last 18 months, but the question of greater import is why the Prime Minister has not deemed it necessary to meet any political leaders from Manipur. Or if Delhi is hesitant to meet political leaders, why not meet social leaders, personalities whose credentials are above board ? And more importantly have rooms been created for the non-war mongers to voice their opinion and stand on the issue ? A point which Manipur should seriously deliberate upon and in the process also try to reach out to the other major community, the Nagas which have so far maintained a neutral stand. The service of the Naga community may be utilised to break the ice and see how the process to put Manipur on the track of normalcy may be charted. So far there is nothing to suggest that any initiative on this count has been taken up but the reality demands that such an approach be adopted. Eighteen months of conflict is too long and too many people from either side of the clash divide have died. The focus of the Government and the different CSOs of Manipur should not be lost.