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Money can't help Manipur, govt can
Published on Sat, Oct 07, 2006 at 11:54, Updated on Thu, Nov 23, 2006 at 14:53 in 
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Myanmar Border: Armed ethnic groups have parceled Manipur into tribal fiefdoms, and are now holding the state economy to ransom.
Two groups - the Meitei-dominated United National Liberation Front and a faction of Naga insurgents, the National Socialist Council for Nagalim-Isak Muivah group – are at constant loggerheads, jeopardising the growth potential of the region.
UNLF leader Sanayaima, that represents the dominant Imphal Valley based Meitei tribe, admits to the rivalry and says exercises like extortion are common.
“There are many armed groups in Manipur because arms are easily available. If you have two pistols, you can form a group and start collecting money from the people, from the state government departments,” says Sanayaima.
But the rival NSCN (I-M)’s dream - that of having a Greater Nagaland - clashes with Sanayaima's agenda for an independent Manipur.
Caught in the cross fire of hostility is the Kuki tribe, who claim the hill districts for a separate Kuki state. Naga groups claimed several Kuki lives in the ethnic wars that followed. The Kukis, Kuki National Organisation, say since even the Indian army did not help them and hence they have their own armed militia to keep the other two armed ethnic groups at bay.
“They were stationed at all peace stations, we knew that Indian military was there, but they were never to be seen,” says President, Hill Tribal Council, Moreh, TS Haokip.
The Kuki National Organisation is currently under a ceasefire agreement with the Army. But in the jungles of south-east Manipur, the Kuki militia continues to train.
Along with the Nagas, the Kukis are also deeply suspicious of the Meiteis…
“When IM aggressed on us, and from 92-97 slaughtered us, where was UNLF? Did they ever prevent IM from killing Kukis? Were they able to protect them if they did? 900 would not have died, 350 villages were uprooted, more than 50,000 have been displaced,” says Seilen Haokip, of Kuki National Organisation.
Ten years ago, Ngamkholien was a victim of the Naga-Kuki conflict. He is now a committed Kuki militant. “I love my land and my nation. And I cannot tolerate it being oppressed and violated at the hands of other people, that's why I have sacrificed my life and taken up arms,” he says.
But Sanayaima says the Army's ceasefire with the KNO's armed wing is an Indian strategy to keep the ethnic cauldron simmering.
“India is very much trying to keep us divided on ethnic lines pitching one ethnic group against another. The same old divide and rule policy. Colonial game still going on,” he says.
A bridge marking the Indo-Myanmar border – painted yellow for Myanmar and white for India – stands witness to this ethnic conflict.
The Asian Highway project - the first 100 km of which has been built by the Indian Border Roads – is a testimony of how the Government of India has failed to tap the potential of this region.
(with inputs from Rajesh Bhardwaj and Rohit Khanna)
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