Date with Amit Shah on Nov 29 : Look beyond the obvious
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 21 2020 -

The date is set. The agenda is also set. The stand of Manipur is also set.

What however has not been laid down in black and white is where the NSCN (IM) exactly stands today on its earlier demand for a Greater Lim.

In a recent interview to The Wire, the transcript of which was carried in the English edition of The Sangai Express running into days, general secretary of NSCN (IM) Thuingaleng Muivah indicated that the Lim demand will come in due course of time.

Now this is where it becomes dicey.

Does this then mean that the separate flag and Constitution demand of the NSCN (IM), which has reportedly been turned down by the Government of India without mincing words, is but just the first step towards realising its Lim dream or should the different demands of the NSCN, (IM) be seen separately?

Difficult to say, but it would be premature and even foolish to understand the different demands of the NSCN (IM) in compartmentalised manner.

What if the demands are interchangeable?

What happens if the demand for a separate flag and a Constitution can be kept on hold for the time being and in its place the demand for a Greater Lim is raised with renewed vigour?

These are possibilities but distinct possibilities which cannot be dismissed.

In the more than 20 years of political negotiations, it must have been amply clear to the Government of India that in Thuingaleng Muivah they have a tough negotiator and someone who is far sighted and able to look beyond the immediate and look into the future.

Who would have thought about a separate flag and a Constitution when the political negotiations started in 1997?

What was the agenda behind inserting the words 'without territorial limits' in the ceasefire pact back in 2001?

The people of Manipur knew it back then but are the people sensitive enough now to know what the agenda could be behind the strong demand raised for a separate flag and Constitution?

Has the Government at Imphal been able to look beyond the obvious and take a closer "look at what could be?

These questions should be dealt with minutely and clearly, before Union Home Minister Amit Shah lands here to get a look at where the State Government stands before the final deal is inked with, the NSCN (IM).

Other questions that the Government of Manipur should be prepared to answer to the Centre would obviously be 'what would be acceptable to Manipur, if the territorial integrity of the State remains intact?'

These are all probable points that may be raised for the stand of the people and the State Government has already been made very, very clear as far as the territorial integrity of Manipur is concerned.

Other than territory, what is it that Manipur would be ready to accept?

What if these questions are asked straight to the State Government during the meeting scheduled on November 29?

This is where the State Government would need to consult the numerous NGOs which have for decades been batting for the entity known as Manipur.

The meeting with the Union Home Minister will be watched not only by the people of Manipur, but also by the other stakeholders and a lot will depend on how the State Government is able to present the position of Manipur in all aspects.