~ Pupu Zou
Dr Seilen Haokip, the leader of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) in his recent interaction with the Newmai News Network has indicated that the Suspension of Operation (SoO) is likely to continue after its expiry on August 22, 2014. Recently Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla and representatives of KNO had a meeting with Union minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju. "The Union Home Minister of State's stand has been encouraging," said Dr Seilen Haokip. The KNO leader also disclosed that Union Home minister Rajnath Singh, though they did not meet him, had written to Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami to have 'urgent attention' of the issue. On the other hand, the UPF has also agreed to extend the SoO after its expiry on August 22.
It can be recalled here that a leader of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) had told NNN earlier that they were still observing the situation. "We have not decided whether to extend the SoO term or not," the top KNO source disclosed Newmai News Network, adding, "We are closely observing the situation and we are also observing what the Government of India's initiative is regarding our position." "Signing the SoO pact just for the sake of signing every time it expires is a futile exercise," stated the KNO source. The KNO however, expressed hope that the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be better than the previous Congress led UPA government.
The SoO pact was first signed in 2008. Since then the pact was being extended periodically but very little has been achieved in terms of bringing a negotiated settlement. Leave aside settlement, the first round of political dialogue is yet to take off. Given this sluggish and half-hearted engagement, disenchantment felt by the KNO, UPF and Kuki civil society leaders is understandable.
Looking at the present situation of Manipur, the Nagas are fighting for integration or alternative arrangement; the Kukis are for homeland and on the other side, the valley people are for the integrity of the state, which seems nonnegotiable issue at any cost.
Now, the big question is, will the NDA government take serious note of this issue? The answer is absolutely vague. With the hope of something, something have to be done on our part might be our stand point at this moment. As I observe, I see out status at this hour is “don’t be afraid to be fail, be afraid not to try”.
Are the armed groups serious?
If anyone asks me, I will definitely say no. If I ask you, what would be your answer? I guess it’s a big no. Since the last several decades, we have been talking about our brotherhood, oneness, fraternalism, kinship, same customs and traditions and what’s not? If we are serious enough, six years (since 2008) is more than enough to come under one administrative umbrella. What do we expect from the government of India when we cannot even come under one umbrella? It only sounds like a joke, a laughing stock of others.
Do our representatives represent us?
We have a good number of people’s representatives in the Manipur Assembly. Do they even realize they are representing the community as a whole? Their mouths might proclaim they are, but I strongly believe they will think that they have bought with their money. If we are serious enough on our demand, our representatives have the greatest role to play and air our voices in the house of Manipur. Looking at the present scenario, it seems our representatives represent for themselves, not the public. Whose fault it is? I guess every responsible citizens of India knows about this fact. If we are serious about our demand, it is high time that the underground as well as over ground group need to change our perception on elections. It is time that there should be no particular support without any purpose with related to our demand.
Looking at the Telangana statehood issue, the people’s representatives played a great role in creating Telangana state. Let’s learn a lesson from them, let our representatives represent us and be our voices and faces. In short, all the Kuki MLAs got elected with one party ticket, how effective it would be, let them stand for our cause, if neglected, let them resign, elect them again during bi-election, let them raise our voices again, if neglected, resign, re-elect them, make Manipur house boil ….. only then, our voice will reach the house of India. We can do it if we are serious about our demand.
Are the people serious about it?
To be continued…………..
No comments:
Post a Comment