No solution in sight to two-month-old Manipur blockade
A solution to the two-month-old crippling Naga indefinite economic blockade of Manipur is nowhere in sight with Manipur Chief Minister…
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has once again proved that when it comes to defending or administering his state, he is made of sterner stuff. On the night of 8 December he announced the creation of seven new districts, catching many unawares, particularly the inhabitants of pro-NSCN(IM) Senapati district, adjacent to Nagaland who, since the early 1980s, had successfully resisted the demand by their Kuki adversaries for a separate revenue entity at Kangpokpi, 16 km from the district headquarters.
Following clashes between Nagas of Manipur and Kukis in the 1990s that left more than 1,500 dead, the latter had been reluctant to go to Senapati district headquarters to pay taxes and revenue as all government offices are located there.
Last month Ibobi was to unveil the new district inauguration plaque at Kangpokpi but had to postpone it as, in anticipation, the United Naga Council, the apex body of Nagas in Manipur which supports the NSCN(IM)’s greater Nagaland concept, had imposed an indefinite economic blockade (from 1 November) of the state’s two vital national highways, both of which cut through Naga areas.
Interestingly, Ukhrul, which is NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah’s birthplace, now has a new district headquarters at Kamjong. A few weeks ago when the chief minister went to Ukhrul to inaugurate a government hospital, Tankghul militants fired at his helicopter forcing him to return.
With the assembly election round the corner, many might see Ibobi’s rather bold decision as motivated, but he cannot be faulted if he asserts that the new districts are necessary for effective governance and administrative convenience. Unlike other states in the region, Manipur today faces multi-faceted problems. In course of time, the state will be the main gateway to Southeast Asian countries.
If the Centre’s Act East Policy is to be a success, it must ensure security along the main highways to check extortion which today is every driver’s nightmare. It is just as well that the Union home ministry has now said that “it considers any blockade anywhere in India as a gross violation of law and a crime against humanity…and none will be allowed to take the law into their own hands”. It comes not a day too soon. Hope all concerned will get the message that the game is up. The big question is what will be the UNC’s next move.
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