Interests of Nagas of Manipur : Studying stand of NPF MSU
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 11 2018 -

Incorporate interests of Nagas of Manipur in final pact.

This was the Naga People’s Front (Manipur State Unit) in a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The interests of the Nagas of Manipur have not been spelt out in details in the memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister, but it does not need a genius to work out what the NPF MSU meant while referring to the interests of the Nagas.

One just has too look back at the stand of the NPF as far as the demand of the NSCN (IM) on the integration of all Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit is concerned and in one statement, the NPF MSU has answered the question raised by the Congress on where it stands with regard to the ongoing peace talk between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India.

As things stand today, New Delhi has more than once stated that the territorial integrity of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh would not be disturbed while inking the final deal with the NSCN (IM) but it would be interesting to see whether the NSCN (IM) and by extension the Nagas of Manipur would be agreeable to this position.

The interesting question is, then what exactly is the interest of the Nagas of Manipur.

The NPF MSU has not spelt this out in the public domain but it is no secret where they stand as far as the question of Naga integration goes.

Or has the NPF MSU raised this point at this juncture as some sort of a reaction to the campaign carried out by some CSOs of Manipur at Delhi on the need to protect the interest of the State ?

No definite answer here, but all enough indications that different interest groups are pursuing what they think is justice and herein lies the leadership quality of the Narendra Modi led Government.

In as much as it will be a test on the character of the people on either side of the Lim divide, it also stands that the coming days will be a test for the BJP led NDA Government at the Centre.

Will not take any one sided decision, is the stand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted when CSO members from Manipur recently called on him at New Delhi and how he manages to walk the tight rope without antagonising anyone while hammering out a solution to the decades old Naga issue will be the test for the BJP leader.

Here too, the test will also be on the BJP led Government in Manipur.

With its ally, the NPF MSU having laid down that the interests of the Nagas of Manipur should not be left out when the final deal is struck with the NSCN (IM), what does the State BJP read into this stand ?

What is its understanding of the interests of the Nagas of Manipur ?

Are their interests amenable to the idea of Manipur that the State BJP has ?

The answer may come only when the final deal is struck, but these are questions worth raising for it is more or less clear that the political negotiation between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is at its final stage.

This is all the more reason why no one should jump the gun.

Being ready for any eventuality and jumping the gun are two different things and this is a point which should not be lost on anyone.