Every problem starts with questions or rather problems occur because of “unanswered” questions.

Will imposition of PR or change of leadership solve the ongoing Manipur situation?

Only exceptional humanitarian conviction loaded with extraordinary wisdom or disturbance of the present Manipur state in the form of Autonomous Regional Council/Union Territory or Separate Administration under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution maybe the answer to the violence hit State. Is GOI genuinely serious and concerned about Manipur and had PR been imposed within few days or a week’s time of the eruption of communal violence, things would not have been worse to the horrific scenes of present.

The ineffective action and indifferent silence on the part of the GOl for nearly two months was not only shocking but also emboldened the adversaries of the state to undertake open ethnic cleansing and violence against the Christian minorities. It resulted in the avoidable death of many including the burning down of hundreds of churches. The present state of affairs in Manipur has shown the miserable failure of the state to protect lives and properties. I can’t help but to raise speculations if all this was allowed to happen as part of the game plan to win the majoritarian hearts which will turn in votes by November 2023?

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Is the BJP government trying to gain MP seats by playing with human lives? If this is so, it is a costly affair in that it has torn the social fabric which has been holding Manipur state united. The leadership at the center must show that their government stands above its party lines, that it is committed to uphold the sacred duty of the state to provide security of precious life and property. It must show urgency in bringing peace and fulfill its promises made in election rallies and through various political talks with the tribals in Manipur and the North East regions by large, it will salvage the situation of the left-over North-East India and its emotions.

The impromptu call of All Party Meeting by the Home Minister, Amit Shah may be another political modus operandi to gain sympathy of the opposition and break the speculated alliance of all opposition parties and gain advantage in the upcoming elections. How can disturbance erupt only when elections are just round the corner? We should be ashamed to gain power over peace. Being a politician from Nagaland. I would say that even Nagaland state too is at the receiving end of politics. If Autonomous Council/ Autonomous Regional Council is given to ENPOs, which is likely to happen, Nagas would be more divided politically/demographically and going by the old saying “United we stand, divided we fall”. The only consolation perhaps is the thought that if greater autonomy for the ENPOs results in better living condition and help them to come at par with the rest of the world, we congratulate them but at the end of the day, it may have adverse effect sooner or later.

However, the bitter truth is also that we the members of the 14 August House of NLA are going to leave behind a legacy of disintegration of Nagaland. The idea of disintegration brings up another point – If the GOI is prepared to talk about Autonomous Council/Regional Council for the ENPOs, why not the Kukis or the Nagas of Manipur? Why can’t the GOI apply the same yard stick to all the other states in the country? Is it a tactic to end the Naga Peace Talks or a way to shy from the promises which never saw the light of the day?

Whatever be the outcome of the Manipur situation, we must not forget that the neighbourhood relations amongst the Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas cannot be changed. If we can peacefully coexist in the past for so many years in history, sharing brotherhood relations, what is the hurdle in maintaining the same cordial relations in the years to come? Animosity and hatred among us is detrimental for progress in our part of this civilized world, separately and collectively. We should take the onus of failures and not pass a baton to the generations to come.

They deserve to live in peace and harmony with equality and respect, the political and social unrest must come to a logical end. Therefore, the way forward is to find amicable solution from within, from among us, instead of waiting for outside powers to manipulate us at their whims and fancies. If we have to part ways, so be it. Parting is a sign of maturity and independence. But let us do so in the spirit of brotherhood, as our ancestors has always done, with good wishes for each other.

Having said that, our aspirations for a day where we all coexist in the spirit of brotherhood under the common administrative roof will continue till it is achieved.

Therefore, we leave it to God almighty to show us the righteous path and may peace prevail.