Let There be Peace in Manipur

The recent killings of 15 Hindi speaking migrant workers in Manipur within a few days have underlined once again the urgent necessity to curb insurgency in Manipur. My first reaction at reading the news from Times of India Bangalore edition was “what the hell is going on.” Yes, it’s hell out there – a hell created out of greed and divisive mindset of the people. Any killing of innocent people anywhere on earth deserves the severest punishment to the perpetrator. Life is equally important; from a beggar to a minister. What could be the reason behind the killing of such numbers of innocent civilians? Didn’t they think about the lives of the wives and children of the victims? Is it just for the sake of publicity due to the dying nature of public support and media attention to the insurgency movement in Manipur? Public support to insurgency is dwindling but nowhere to zero. However, the struggle doesn’t earn much attention of the national media. Whatever may be the reason, one thing is clear – it’s a cowardly act. No insurgent group has claimed responsibility so far nevertheless the motives.

The people of Manipur have to condemn this type of barbaric act in the strongest term. Bloodshed in Manipur causing a life, whether a Manipuri or a non-Manipuri, deserves utmost condemnation. However, seeing the nature of condemnation of the incidents it could be inferred that it’s not even a fraction of the condemnation when a Manipuri died in the hands of the army. This corrupt mindset of the people gives breeding ground for the terrorists (insurgents in Manipur are befittingly terrorists) who live royally under the guise of fighting for Manipuri cause. I was expecting tens of “Sharmila Chanus” to spring up in the aftermath of the incidents but was totally wrong. Sharmila Chanu has been fasting for years since 10 innocent Manipuris were killed at Malom by the military after being ambushed in a broad daylight in civilian area by unknown militants. She has been demanding the removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (in short AFSPA) from Manipur since it’s “draconian” in nature that the armed forces have special power to deal with activities pertaining to militancy. The “Sharmila Chanus” which I was expecting were not for the AFSPA but who were determined to fast unto death for ending of any kind of public support to the insurgent groups. This doesn’t mean that I belittle the untiring effort of “iche” Sharmila – I have been following closely any news related to her and have great respect for her love for Manipur – but I am in support of what could be the other side of the same coin. I don’t want removal of the AFSPA until the militants come to a negotiating table for serious discussion. Some may reason why my stand could be the “other side of the same coin” as that of Sharmila Chanu. It’s because both of them are for return of normalcy in Manipur - to let the Manipuris lives a peaceful live once again which has eluded them decades.

Insurgency in Manipur is nothing more than a business. Can anyone tell me the definite aim – independence, self-rule, more autonomy? None of them. They are not earning the admiration of any nations for their struggle not to speak of fellow Indians. Don’t blame unemployment for the rise of insurgency. It will be stupid to do so since none of the groups even spoke about unemployment as their reason for struggle. The words out of their mouth say “independence” or “self-rule” which they themselves don’t know the meaning. It is “extortion” and “easy money” they are fighting for. They will not easily give up their “job” since there is no better way of earning handsomely than what they are doing. Hence, the reason for removing AFSPA from Manipur is “null” or “void” since there is no other way to “chase” those people away other than a strict military rule. Just to quote, I was told that there is not, not even one, a government department in Manipur which is not under the “taxation umbrella” of the terrorists which indirectly means even the Police Department. You are not wrong if your understanding goes this way – the terrorists in Manipur are funded by the government.

It’s time now the Manipuris wake up to make Manipur as Rabindranath Tagore rightly quoted "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high."

My salute to the departed.