Maloy Krishna Dhar

The Lake on Fire: Manipur Burns, Delhi Bungles

Posted on | May 10, 2010 | 35 Comments

Loktak is the largest freshwater lake in the northeast of India. The 500 sq kilometer lake has been encroached upon during last 60 years and only 236.21 kilometer remains as the core and peripheral area of the lake with 14 hills of different height protruding from it. This unique water body gave a distinct identity to the state of Manipur, the Jewel of the East. Located at the southern end of the 7000 sq miles Manipur valley Loktak has been a part of economic activities and cultural heritage of the valley dwelling Meitei people. However, placidity of the lake is not reflected in the moods of the people and the violent courses of action some valley Meiteis adopted to realize their so-called political goal-independence.

Loktak Lake

Loktak lake: Image: e-pao

The treaty that merged Manipur with India was not universally acclaimed by all Meiteis. From the beginning sections of royalists and traditionalists held the view that Manipur was under titular suzerainty of the British and after they quit the paramountcy reverted back to the Maharajah. Some of them also raised another bogey that Pundit Nehru had formalized the cession of Kabaw Valley which once formed the part of Manipur to the Burmese government. This is a red herring allegation. The transfer of Kabaw Valley was done under British supervision and the boundary of Manipur and Burma was settled well by 1935. The government of India only ratified a new border agreement with Burma.

What led to the growth of separatism amongst sections of the Meiteis? The seed of separatism was sown by communist leader H. Irabot Singh. He had planned an armed struggle for liberating Manipur and establishing a pro-Moscow regime. He followed the ideology of the Communist Party of India. The left wing dissent continued to ignite imagination of the youth. They were encouraged by people of royal descent and people who harbored the thin dream of restoring the monarchy. The psyche of Meitei nationalist ideology was strengthened by agitation for replacement of Bengali script by ancient Meitei script. Recognition of Meitei language in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, restoration of the fort of Kangla on a patch of land occupied by the Assam Rifles and conferment of statehood on Manipur.


In the meantime, Delhi’s direct administration through the Chief Commissioner offered group C union territory status to Manipur and was dominated by the officers deputed from other parts of India-the IAS, IPS, engineers, doctors etc. Arbitrary rule by the Chief Commissioners as per policies laid down by Delhi had created a separate class of rulers of outside origin, called mayangs by the Meiteis. The government of India had taken over all administrative responsibilities of the King but in reality there was maladministration or no administration. Corruption right from the Chief Commissioner to the lowest rung of bureaucracy introduced Indian culture of plundering public money by the rulers.

Between 1950 and 1960 Manipur did not see any tangible economic development, medium and small scale industry and agro-based industries. Cultivation o silk remained a household commercial venture and spinning of thread and weaving also was dominated by the womenfolk. The government made very negligible investment. Educationally also Manipur had to look forward to Assam or West Bengal. Very few could send their children to Delhi and other places. While the Hill Tribals were treated as Scheduled tribes the Valley Meiteis were treated as upper caste Hindus. With poor educational facilities only a handful youth could compete in all India Services. Outside Manipur the Meiteis were treated as foreign strangers. The Manipuris and the rest of Indians did not mix up well. The outsiders were treated as mayangs and the Meiteis were treated as sub-humans, despite their fabulously rich cultural heritage.

Besides paddy cultivation (mostly one crop) the populace had no other venue for employment. Gradually some youths joined lower ranks of government services, police, Manipur Rifles and other armed police forces. On the other hand a good number of youths were trained by the SSB in armed combat as a reserve force to work behind the enemy lines during any war. To get a government job one had to shell out huge bribe money.

In the midst of insurgency in the Naga Hills of Manipur and Mizo and allied Kuki rebellion the Meitei youth also smarted under the impression that without taking up arms they would not get concession from Delhi. Some of the SSB trained youths looked forward to Arambam Somorendra Singh, an ideologue and RK Meghen and RK Ronen two sons of the Manipur SSB chief RK Madhurjit Singh.

In the meantime Nagaland was given full state status in 1963. Along with it started the demand for Greater Nagaland with portions of Naga inhabited areas of Manipur and Assam. The Naga demand on the one hand and the Mizo demand for merger of Thanlon etc areas with proposed Mizoram created a fear psychosis in Meitei minds. Their demand for statehood intensified. By I964 United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was floated by Arambam Somorendra Singh and his group of firebrand youths. That was the beginning of insurgency in the valley. Anti-India sentiment pervaded through the younger generation, but the government of India did not do much to understand the agonies of the Meiteis. The senior echelon of the civil and police administration neglected the emerging wrath of the people. The Chief Commissioner was contemptuous about the indigenous people and always promoted the outsiders. His personal corruption also encouraged the lower formations to plunder public assets freely. Taking advantage of the boiling cauldron of anger some youths formed the Revolutionary Government of Manipur (RGM) in the style of an underground government in Nagaland. Oinam Sudhir and Namrekpam Biseswar led a contingent of youth to Pakistan (east) for training and weapons.

The RGM indulged in bank robbery, extortion and mass mobilization. About 150 Meitei youths of Manipur were arrested while they were returning from Pakistan after defeat of the Pakistan army in Bangladesh’s freedom struggle. Biseshwar and other tried to establish contact with China. They were intercepted while trying to cross over Nepal-China border.

In the meantime the agitation for statehood of Manipur intensified and the agitators even attacked the meeting venue of Indira Gandhi at Imphal in September 1969. Around the same time the Naga and Mizo insurgents also intensified their armed struggle. Taking advantage of the popular upsurge the UNLF intensified mass campaign and finalized preparations for armed struggle.

As stated earlier The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest Meitei insurgent group in the State was formed under the leadership of Arambam Somorendra Singh on November 24, 1964 to achieve independence and a socialist society. A pan-Manipuri Youth League was formed in December 1968, which functioned as an over ground body for the UNLF. The PMYL actively built up mass agitation in support of statehood demand. Later, differences within the outfit surfaced over the issue of strategies to be adopted. While Somorendra Singh sought to spread ideological consciousness before launching an armed struggle, the more radical leader Oinam Sudhir Kumar and N. Biseshwar Singh established a Revolutionary Government of Manipur (RGM). Somorendra Singh was killed by unidentified terrorists in Imphal on June 10, 2001. In the seventies and eighties, the UNLF concentrated mainly on mobilization and recruitment. In 1990, it decided to launch an armed struggle for the ‘liberation’ of Manipur from India. In the same year, it formed an armed wing called Manipur People’s Army (MPA).

The UNLF aims to establish an independent socialist Manipur. Rajkumar Meghen alias Sana Yaima, son of RK Madhurjit of SSB and a former air force officer is the current Chairman of UNLF. Other important leaders include ‘General Secretary’ Th Sanachou; ‘Secretary of Defence’ A. Wangpa; ‘Secretary of Organisation’ M. Nongyai; and ‘Secretary of Publicity’ N. Thabal. The Women’s wing Chief is Nganbi Devi; Deputy Women’s wing Chief: Banti Devi. The then UNLF Chairman, Namuizum Okendra was arrested on May 19, 1993.

The outfit’s armed wing is called the MPA (Manipur People’s Army). It also maintains a communication and publicity cell. The outfit operates in the Jiribam valley and Cachar district of Assam. It has strong presence in Imphal valley as well.

Soon after its formation, the UNLF leaders established political relationship with the authorities of the then East Pakistan, and underwent military training in that country in 1969. They also supported the Pakistani army during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. Later, the group also developed relationship with China even while continuing its relations with Pakistan. On June 14, 1975, UNLF leader N. Bisheswar Singh and 16 other Meitei rebels proceeded to Lhasa to seek Chinese assistance. As stated earlier this group was intercepted. The group has links with Naga rebel outfits as well. On May 22, 1990, the UNLF, along with other insurgent groups operating in the Northeast – the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang (NSCN-K), the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), and the Kuki National Army (KNA) – floated a pan-Mongoloid coalition called the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front (IBRF) to wage a united struggle for the independence of Indo-Burma region. The UNLF has training camps in Myanmar and Bangladesh, mostly in Manipuri inhabited areas of Sylhet.

There are about two dozen armed terrorist groups in Manipur. The prominent ones are: Kangleipak Communist party (KCP); Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL); Manipur People’s Liberation Front; People’s Liberation Army; People’s Liberation Party of Kangleipak and United Liberation Front (all proscribed and banned.)

Other groups active in the hill district are:

Hmar People’s Convention-Democracy (HPC-D); Kuki Liberation Army (KLA); Kuki National Army (KNA); Kuki National Front (KNF); Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA); National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM); United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and Zomi Revolutionary army (ZRA).

Organizational details of all these outfits are too complicated. The Kuki outfits are divided as they are organized according to their clan affiliation. However the NSCN operates in Manipur Naga areas with impunity and runs a parallel government.

In the valley two important terrorist groups are:

The Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) was formed on April 13, 1980, under the leadership of Y. Ibohanbi. Although the group is ostensibly Communist, named after the historical name of Manipur, i.e. Kangleipak, the KCP is more concerned with the preservation of Meitei culture and demands secession of Manipur from India. Founder of the KCP, Y. Ibohanbi, was killed during a security force operation in 1995. Subsequently, the KCP split into several factions such as the ones headed by City Meitei (KCP- City Meitei), Prithvi (KCP-P), Mangang (KCP-M) and Noyon (KCP-N). On May 30, 2005, four front-ranking KCP cadres, including Moirangthem Boicha alias Prithvi, chief of the KCP-P, and his wife Ibemcha Devi were killed during an encounter with the security forces (SFs) at Nongada Makha Leikai in Imphal East district. However, following a decision taken during a five-day central committee meeting held during May 4-8, 2006, the KCP factions are reported to have merged together.

The main objective of KCP is to restore the independence of the erstwhile Manipur kingdom and to bring about an egalitarian society, which is to be achieved by uniting all ethnic-Mongoloid groups belonging to South-East of Himalayan region, liberating Manipur from the Indian rule, building up the strength of the working class and reviving the indigenous culture.

The KCP has, in the past, passed decrees with an objective of widening its level of social acceptability. In February 2005, it banned Government doctors in Manipur from working in private clinics. In April 2005, the KCP pressed for the introduction of the Manipuri script, Meetei Mayek, in educational institutions in the State. In September 2005, the outfit banned shooting and exhibition of digital movies and music albums for a year. The KCP held its ‘second national convention’ on October 20-23, 2006, at an undisclosed location in Manipur and reconstituted the Party Central Committee. The party hierarchy consists of:

President – Senggoi Meetei
Vice President – K. K. Mangang
General Secretary – K. K. Nganba
Information and Publicity – H. Poirei
Organisation Secretary – Sh. Pakhangba

The KCP started with a small number of cadres. However, its strength has grown over the years and presently, it is known to have about 300 active participants. Half of its active cadres are known to possess an array of weapons ranging from AK series rifles, US carbine, Chinese made grenades and mortars. The KCP is mostly active in the valley areas of Manipur, though it has also been found to be engaged in extortion and other activities in the hill districts, such as Churchandpur. Like most other insurgent groups in the northeast, the KCP funds its activities through extortion of local villagers and businessmen.

The KCP has a close working relationship with most of the outfits operating in the valley districts of Manipur. Even though, the UNLF had imposed a ban on the City Meitei faction of the KCP in the beginning of 2006, the ban was reportedly revoked to pave way for the unification of various factions. In October 2005, the KYKL too had banned the KCP-P. In the past, the KCP maintained operational linkages with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).

Besides the KCP the KYKL is an active terrorist group in the valley:

Kanglei Yawol Kanba Lup, Organization to Save the Revolutionary Movement in Manipur was formed in January 1994. It is basically funded through extortion. The Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) is an ethnic Meitei group based in Manipur, India. The group is well known for its violent vigilantism and decrees aimed at rebuilding Manipuri society by cleansing it of immoral activities. The name of the group means Organization to Save the Revolutionary Movement in Manipur.

Although known for its ethnic diversity, Manipur is also famous for its diversity of violent insurgent groups. Some of these groups are protection outfits for certain tribes or ethnic groups, while others are somewhat more nationalist in their aims. The KYKL, although chiefly made up of ethnic Meiteis, is focused almost solely on social reform, despite the fact that the group espouses the nationalist goal of a unified ‘Seven Sisters’ region of India.

Although KYKL occasionally participates in attacks on other rival terrorist groups in Manipur and against Indian security forces in the region, the group is mostly focused on social vigilantism. Since its foundation the group has mounted numerous attacks against people and institutions it deems immoral. Along with allegedly corrupt politicians, drug dealers and prostitutes, the KYKL has attacked teachers, journalists, and HIV-positive innocents in an effort to supposedly cleanse Manipur of unwanted elements. The group has issued decrees banning Hindi films, women wearing pants, and newspapers using Hindi script. The group maintains links with many of the other insurgent groups in the region, including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the Zomi Revolutionary Army. Like most Manipuri outfits, the KYKL is funded through extortion.

Despite being one of the smaller groups in Manipur, the KYKL continues to intimidate, threaten, and attack its perceived enemies. While the KYKL may not see its goal of a unified Seven Sisters in remote future, the group can be considered highly active and a threat to the safety and security of the region.

The scenario is grim. While India fights jihadists in Kashmir, in Manipur it has not been able to contain the discontentment of the populace though there is an elected government of some kind. The political government is under the mercy of the terrorist groups and some of the politicians are known to be in cahoots with terrorist. Some of them shelter the terrorists. They silence them by paying hefty amounts. In Manipur everyone has to pay to the armed groups-government servants, teachers, doctors, contractors and all other professionals including the business community. One the one hand they pay to the terrorists and on the other they plunder the exchequer. Merely 15-20% of government expenditure is utilized in developmental activities.

Educational institutions are in a big mess. The All Manipur Student’s Union and other militant groups realize protection money from the teaching staff. The terrorists like the Talibans, issue dictates about dress code, close down institutions on the slightest pretext and often physically assault teachers coming from other parts of India. The main DM College campus and the Manipur University campus are run basically by the terrorists. They are the deciding factors in most administrative matters.

What has caused such a calamitous situation in Manipur? Nearly two Divisions of army and paramilitary forces are deployed in the valley and the hills. There are more daily clashes and attacks in Manipur than in Kashmir. The populace, on the slightest pretext takes to the streets and paralyzes normal administration. Right from the Chief Minister to the lowest government employee has to pay minimum 10% of their income to different terrorist groups. The terrorists freely move in the business centers and raise weekly contribution. On the any youth seeking government employment has to pay anything between 3-5 lacs as gratis. Though some financially capably youth seek study courses in Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and other cities, the others have to depend on existing educational institutions in Manipur. Quality of education is not good enough to enable the youth to compete with other candidates in superior services in India. However, the Meiteis have been finally recognized as OBC.

Industrially Manipur is almost bankrupt. The government sponsored Manipur Cycle Corporation; Manipur Cement Ltd; Manipur Spinning Mills Corporation Ltd; Manipur Pulp & Allied Projects Ltd; Manipur Food Industries Ltd and Manipur Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd are bankrupt and sick and are in the process of winding up. There are about 30 Small Scale Industries which are basically agro-based and some are related to handicrafts. Thread spinning is a lucrative biasness in Manipur. But the job is now partly done by women at home and bulk of the threads is imported from outside markets by the Marwari traders. It is easier to get a Sholapuri shawl in Imphal than original Chador of the Meiteis and the national Chadors of different tribes; which are really rich in color and texture. The Ima (mother) market now suffers from shortage of raw materials and the fabulous Manipuri silk clothes are rare to come by.

The valley has immense potential for pisciculture. Officially some loans are granted. But the avid fish eater Meiteis now have to depend on fish supply from other parts of India. Lack of railway connectivity renders supply of perishable good uncertain as most of the time two highways are blockaded by the Meitei or Naga-Kuki agitators. Thus, prices of perishable consumables are very high compared to markets in Assam.

Manipur has to depend on rice, pulses, cooking oils etc imported from other parts of India though way back in 1970s the state was self sufficient in rice production. The Hills produce some quantity of rice and other grains but the Jhoom cultivation is still in vogue. In neighboring Nagaland and parts of Mizoram terrace cultivation has become popular. Lack of government initiative and traditional tribal practices still encourage the people to denude forests for cultivation.

Manipur has the unique potential of tea, coffee and rubber cultivation besides the traditional practice of silk cultivation. The plains in Jiribam and lower hills in Tamenglong, Churachandpu, Senapati and Ukhrul are ideal for investment in tea plantation. In same kind of terrain in Barrack Valley and N.C. Hills in Assam and certain areas of Nagaland have been brought under tea plantation. Certain mid-rise hill ranges have similar climatic condition like Kerala. In these areas some individuals have taken up Coffee and Rubber cultivation. Large scale production of Coffee and Rubber is feasible provided the government of Manipur and the North-East Development Council prepare plans and invite investment from entrepreneurs. No such tangible efforts have been made in last 60 years. Manipur Hills produce good quantity of pineapple, orange and some apple. No effort has been made to introduce orchard cultivation of fruits, ginger and cardamom in commercial quantity. These cash crops can earn huge revenue for Manipur. However, plundering of government fund being the main objective, no political leader has so far bothered to import expertise from Assam, Sikkim, Himachal and other states.


In addition to chaos in day to day administration, interference in developmental activities and in the sphere of education Manipur has become a fertile ground for hate-India sentiments. Outsider labor forces are discouraged or killed en masse to drive in fear. Several such incidents have almost choked migration of labor in Manipur. Almost every month the militants close down the highways connecting the state through Nagaland and through Barak Valley. This results in economic crisis and even shortage of essential commodities. Each truck operator has to pay handsome ransom money to Kuki, Naga and Meitei rebels. The situation presents a picture of horror and anachronism.

Besides, agitation for withdrawal of the Army Special Power Act has become a contentious bone. A lady is reportedly fasting for last four years. There are occasional hartals and closures. The terrorist take shelter in the houses of ministers and legislators and live and operate comfortably from within the villages. Politics in Manipur has become synonymous with tickling and tackling the terrorists by paying huge amounts and often arranging state protection for them. The most affected districts are Imphal East and West, Thoubal, Kakching, Sugnu, Chapkikarong, Moirang and Bishnupur. The terrorists have set up camps in neighboring Myanmar and often they manage to buy weapons from Myanmar rebels and even from NSCN (I-M) and Bangladesh. It is estimated that in the valley alone there are 4000 active armed terrorists in addition to nearly 1500 NSCN (I-M) cadres operating in Naga Hills and nearly 2000 armed Kuki rebels in Kuki dominated areas of Senapati, Churachandpur etc areas.

It is high time that the government of India wakes up and takes stock of the deteriorating situation in the state and takes note of the very high waves of frustration, disillusionment and separate nationalist demand of the Meitei people. The sword of demand for Greater Nagaland after separating Naga areas of Manipur are adding to the anger and frustration of the valley people. The government has to squarely make it clear to the Naga interlocutors that at no point of time it would agree for dismemberment of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to please the festering sores called Th. Muivah and Isac Swu. Early clear stand on Naga demands may mollify Meitei sentiments considerably. The latest development of Th. Muivah trying to visit his home village Somdal in Ukhrul with government of India approval has raised a serious conflict situation between the Naga and Meitei inhabitants. Muivah tried to enter Manipur through Mao Gate bordering Nagaland. Manipur police resisted the local Nagas numbering 500 from welcoming the separatist leader of NSCN (I-M). Police had to use force resulting in death of one Naga and kidnapping of two police constables by the Naga ultras.

The basic question is: how can the government of India agree to Muivah’s proposal in spite of warning of serious consequences in Manipur? This is a blazoned blunder by the blind political bandicoots of India. Muivah in Manipur would automatically set wild fire of unrest in Manipur which is already burning. The Meitei’s would not allow dismemberment of their state at any cost. By pampering the Nagas the government is alienating the Manipuris. It is already a Kashmir like cauldron. Has the GOI any plan to contain the wild fire of clashes between the Nagas, Kuki tribes and the Meiteis? Obviously the blundering bandicoots have not learnt anything from the treacherous games being played by NSCN and the so-called NGOs supporting it.

Has India not reached the last opportunity to plan and invest in comprehensive economic development in the state? It is probably the last chance for the Congress Party to depend more on the people than on the armed forces, a suicidal policy being pursued since the late sixties. Otherwise, Manipur may become another festering Kashmir in the east. Manipur requires a balanced approach for removing the dirt of stinking corruption, unconcern about welfare of the people and for building new economic infrastructures. Most Meiteis have started asserting own nationalist psyche and gradually cutting off the moorings with Hindu cultural and religious umbilical. They do no more like to use Hindu surnames-Singh and Sharma. A Moirangthem Anouba Singh is now stylized as Anouba Mirangthem. Hopefully Delhi’s intelligence and political bums have taken note of these significant social changes. This is a dangerous trend. Hindu Vaishnavism can no longer keep the Meitei society tied to the cultural apron of India.

A titular Governor imprisoned in his castle has no means to suggest better economic and political situation, as most of them are former policemen rewarded for loyalty. It is not in the capability of a retired policeman to plan wholesome economic development. Can an economist of wider experience be posted in Manipur for preparing a new blueprint in collaboration of the Planning Commission? Wider vision and unorthodox forward approach can alone deliver goods in next 50 years. Can Congress Party restrain its politicians from bleeding the state by thieving and plundering? It is time to act. Fifteen year hence the situation may degenerate beyond political control.


Comments

35 Responses to “The Lake on Fire: Manipur Burns, Delhi Bungles”

  1. Keshav Namrekpam
    May 10th, 2010 @ 7:54 am

    A very sensible and realistic study. Indians in general are apathetic to Manipur and officers believe it to be Solomon’s Mine. I will spread the message.

  2. Ibobi Leisram
    May 10th, 2010 @ 8:25 am

    Agonies of manipur have been reflected in the essay. Hope a person like you come to manipur and help carrying out economic reforms. We are tired of political and terrorist thugs.

  3. Raghu
    May 10th, 2010 @ 10:30 am

    Hope GOI will takecare of manipur’s economic development.

  4. Devakishor
    May 10th, 2010 @ 12:11 pm

    Very thorough analysis of the situation in Manipur. Hope the GoI takes note and start making attempts to contain this problem ASAP.
    But sir, this needs to be corrected: – ‘Besides, agitation for withdrawal of the Army Special Power Act has become a contentious bone. A lady is reportedly fasting for last four years.’
    Irom Sharmila has been fasting for 10 years now.

  5. Nanjappa
    May 10th, 2010 @ 4:22 pm

    I have worked in manipur for 9 years, I agree with Dhar. The Manipuris are being diven a raw deal. Something should be done urgently.

  6. Nungthei Shaiza
    May 11th, 2010 @ 3:19 pm

    Your comments about Muivah are deregatory. He is the new Phizo of the Naga nation. You cannot stop creation of Greater Nagaland. The Meeties would have live as vassals of the Nagas. Greater Nagaland will be victorious. Victory to Muivah-Isac and victory to Christ.

  7. Ibomcha
    May 12th, 2010 @ 8:00 am

    The nagas have blocked the highways. But we will like to strve to death than agree for greater Nagaland. If the Meities go down India would also tumble. Christian Nagas have upperhand as the Chief of the Congress party is a Christian. There cannot be any Chriustianland in India. Jai ai Manipur.

  8. k.p.fabian
    May 12th, 2010 @ 5:43 pm

    Dear Maloy,
    Thank you for your analysis. I am going to participate in a workshop  on PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH EAST.
    Best regards,Fabian
     
     
    fABIAN

  9. Jason Chakesang
    May 13th, 2010 @ 7:58 am

    We have no quarrel with Meetris. We want greater Nagalim. Muivah will lead us. Our Christian state will have special status. If the Meeteis want to fight the Nagas welcome that.

  10. Sekhor Oinam
    May 13th, 2010 @ 8:01 am

    Dhar’s article is on the plight of Manipur and the latent causes. He has by the way mentioned about Naga demand. We require people like Dhar to serve Manipur. His past record in Manipur is good. And brother Nagas, do not dream. Manipur shall remain united.

  11. Pratim Barua
    May 13th, 2010 @ 3:58 pm

    Thank you sir. I appreciate the way you have described the grave situation in Manipur. Besides Open Secrets you may like to write another book on North East and its ills. Why mainland India is ignoring the NE region? Are we not Indians? If this Indian attitude is correct than where shall we go? Fight for independence? It is better Delhi takes realistic stand on the Naga issue and tell Muivah-Isac that even Assam would not agree to Greater Nagaland Demand-A Christian protege of the vatican and the West.

  12. Jayram Panigrahi
    May 14th, 2010 @ 7:58 am

    Having served in Manipur and NE for 10 years I understand the genuine concern of the author. Precious little has been done by local and Delhi politicians to make Manipur an economically Viable state. Manipur is the Morena Behard of the NE. Almost everyone is a dacoit-plundering public money. In case Delhi does not move in with concrete programme than not even god can save the situation. The week-kneed Naga policy is causing grave concern. Why is the GOI pussyfooting the naga issue? If solution through talks not possible let there be solution through arms. India cannot be blackmailed by two puny Naga leaders whom Padmanabhaiah has given bigger to life status. 

  13. Kunjenthang Luikham
    May 15th, 2010 @ 3:34 pm

    You have partiality to the meiteis. We Nagas have lived like servants of the meiteis. Now we have our homeland. We want to join the other Naga brethren. Muvah is the diamond of Tangkhul nagas. We will declare Somdal as the second capital of greater Nagaland. We want meiteis to migrate out of the valley and we naga people shall build a Christian homeland in Manipur.

  14. Bharat
    May 15th, 2010 @ 6:03 pm

    Shri. Dhar ji,

    Your article gives the complete information about causes of “terrorism” in Manipur.
    But I had to look at the comments section to see the word “Christian’.

    Regards
    Bharat

  15. Ravishankar Tiwari
    May 16th, 2010 @ 12:47 pm

    I am a businessman in Dimapur. Three of trucks are stopped near Piphema, Nagaland by armed soldiers of NSCN. They demad Rs. 4000 per truck for allowing them to go to manipur. Indian raj does not work in Nagaland. It is the NSCN raj. What is the meaning of having a government as per costitution of India? Why Delhi is pampering NSCN? Are they afraid of fighting with 3000 strong Muivah followers? 

  16. Alizia Angami
    May 16th, 2010 @ 12:49 pm

    We shall crush the Meiteis. Entire Naga araes of manipur and Assam and Arunachal are parts of Christian nagaland. We want our independent Nagaland outside Indian constitution.

  17. Ibomcha
    May 18th, 2010 @ 3:52 pm

    Thank you sir for depicting the real pains of manipur and the Meiteis. We are the only organized Hindu in Christian northeast. But Indian Hindus do not care for us. Delhi must do some positive step to give us fair deal. Under no circumstance we would allow dismemberment of Manipur.

  18. Lajjaram Ganju
    May 18th, 2010 @ 3:53 pm

    Great article. Hopefully Congress government (Christian headed) would do something for HIndu Meiteis!

  19. Charan Meena
    May 18th, 2010 @ 8:10 pm

    Very interesting. Is GOI doing anything to open the road blockage by the Nagas? If not they should send supply via Mizoram and by air. Under no circumsatnces Nagas should be appeased.

  20. Nambol Meitei
    May 18th, 2010 @ 8:13 pm

    NO SURRENDER TO NAGAS. DELHI SHOULD SEE THAT MEITEIS ARE WELL PROTECTED. OTHERWISE WE WILL DECLARE INDEPENDENCE.

  21. sankaran
    May 19th, 2010 @ 3:13 pm

    My Points:
    1)Either Meiteis or Nagas none of them is going win on any way.
                                – No one treats you like what u think.If any one,ignore them.They are not authority for indian goverment.
    2) Meiteis and Nagas should learn to live.Every one is having a problem in this world.
         It dosent mean every one has to fight with arms.
    3)What happend to jihads in kashmir.Even after 60 years they are unable to win.
        only the loss of precious lifes.
    4)Try to learn from other states,how they are living peacefully.It doesn’t mean they are not having problems.They has. 
    5)Try to make your place a better place to ur childrens.

    GoodLuck

    An eye for an eye makes the world blind.  M.Gandhi

  22. Vijay
    May 19th, 2010 @ 5:25 pm

    Let Nagas try to work out Christian homeland and we Hindus in rest of India will ensure no christian can stay in India anymore not to forget we will crush them with our military might – enough of secularism and accomodation of minorities – India for Hindus and not Vatican and whiteman slaves.

  23. Soibam Narendra
    May 21st, 2010 @ 1:03 pm

    We Meiteis have no quarrel with the Christian Nagas. Our plights have been well depicted by Dhar. We want Delhi to respond to our woes and strengthen Manipur economically. Since 1949 nothing solid has been done to set up industry and to exploit the natural resources. Politicians and the officers and contractors are plundering money. But we are opposed to merger of Manipur Naga areas with Nagaland. Nagaland’s political boundary was defined in 1963 when it was made a state. Now Muivah Taangkhul cannot demand the Naga areas to go to Nagaland. If that attempt is made there would be civil war.

  24. Misam Anal
    May 23rd, 2010 @ 8:49 am

    I am a Naga living in Senapati. Why cannot the GOI open up the highways. We are paying Rs. 500 for a kg of sugar. A gas cylinder costs 2000; rice Rs 150 a kg; salt 80 a kg. We do not want Muivah and his Nagalim. We want peaceful life in Manipur. Let the Nagas of Nagalang have their oen lives.

  25. Neeraj kale
    May 27th, 2010 @ 3:28 pm

    Dear sir,
    your articles are always enlightining but this time, the comments posted were enlightening too. People dont even know the states that make Up NE let alone caring for the people.the article and the comments have been eye openers

  26. christie
    May 30th, 2010 @ 8:53 pm

    I just felt like laughing out loud after reading this half-baked article.  How can some one write such an irresponsible article without knowing the complexities of the issue involved. At best, this man have some knowledge about the manipuris (read meitei) but not that of the nagas. And when we are still reeling under the pain of police brutality inflicted on the mao-nagas, how can he distort and reduced a glaring FACT and say that one person died in police firing. Hellow!! pls, there were two students who died by police indiscriminate firing and about 100 injured. Innocent villagers were pulled out from their house and beaten black and blue. I wonder what did he achieve by writing such a distorted article, perhaps apllaud from the manipuri (meitei) community.
    Forget about geeting unbiased article from nagas political struggle which is the oldest in india from him, even the recent happening which is not even a month old has been distorted to the extreme. How can a man of his stature be so inhuman as not to feel the pain of the poor villagers who were tortured to the extreme by the police?? Only God alone knows the truth and we will prevail.

  27. Davidhawaibam
    May 30th, 2010 @ 10:44 pm

    Quite readable as we manipuris hardly got space in mainstream media and whatever we got, we got to read for wrong reason.
    But i would say that at the end you left the plight of the its people  for a religious tug-of-war.

  28. Nagalim
    June 1st, 2010 @ 3:32 pm

    No doubt there are some good points too and some of the important information are available but it is interesting to read some of the comments given by some stupid guys also the author is written only from one sided view.
    FYI
    Two innocents were killed and more than 100 people were injured. More than 1000 people came for the rally on that day.
    The author says that the Meteis dont want to be like Hindu and their surname like Singh is now removed from their names.
    Secondly, Hindi movie is totally banned in Manipur. Oh what an ironic story it is. Meteis dont want to become Hindu and they have banned the Hindu movies and speaking Hindi in Manipur and still some are saying that Jai Jai Manipur for Hindus.
    Thirdly, all those Hindus coming from Bihar and UP are brutally killed many a times. They dont want Hindu people coming to Manipur. They dont want Hindi speaking people from mainland India. Therefore in time of need, they are trying to kneeling down before the Hindu friend in Mainland India is very funny.
     

  29. Elangbam Johnson
    June 15th, 2010 @ 12:26 pm

    Didn’t quite understand what Mr Nagalim try to express, I rather see expressing his sentimental depression that is inside his pity little mind. what all does it related  with banning hindi movies by some underground outfit and the issues of greater Nagalim. And by the way I must say dreaming of achieving greater Nagalim will always be a dream, will never be into reality. So give up your useless hopes and try to utilized ur mind in something useful.

  30. Sudhakar Singh
    June 15th, 2010 @ 5:07 pm

    My soul have shaken from inside when I came to know about the real situation in Manipur from ur article.Really we need some Spiderman to save the World especially Manipur & Nagaland.

    Spread love not war…There are several ways to meet ur dead end But only one life to live :)

    Live n let live

  31. Sanatombi
    June 16th, 2010 @ 12:38 pm

    If Manipur suffers, Nagaland suffers triple times too and Nagas should now be well aware about this. I cannot understand one thing about the so called Muivah supporters and to clear my doubt let me ask a plain question- Would you easily give away your home to someone if he or she claims that its his or her’s would you??? Its the same thing. YOU people are fooling yourself with those insensible demands. Grow up!!! There is a saying in Hindi ‘ Kulhaari Pey Pao Maarna’- thats what you people are doing..

    Anyways, cutting all these craps, I really appreciate the writer and his write up. Kudos!!!

  32. Tomba
    June 17th, 2010 @ 12:49 am

    callin em terrorist group might be wrong. they re insurgents groups, undergrounds but not terrorist!

  33. Athouba
    August 18th, 2010 @ 9:22 pm

    Wel if the system of actual democracy exist in anyways in the country of India then Kangleipak (So Called Manipur) truly deserve to determine themselves at any cost of time, life and death. No need for India to be sympathic, It is colonisation, suppression and  oppression in the name of Democracy. The largest democracy country of the World but unfortunately run by third world double standard mean people!! Bye Bye to India. Ore Khaare. 

  34. sinamba
    January 5th, 2011 @ 8:24 am

    good article, the lake on fire.,  Visit Http//:www.gomanipur.com to know more about loktak lake

  35. Manipuri
    December 13th, 2011 @ 10:00 pm

    A very interesting article on Loktak lake of Manipur. But the comments are on meiteis and nagas. Who are meiteis? and who are Nagas? There are Muslims (Pangan) and other tribals including kuki and other differrent tribes in manipuri. We are all Manipur. So any person from other states cannot even think of separating us. We all love our MOTHERLAND.

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