Date with Shah on Nov 29 : Not just another visit
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 27 2020 -

Union Home Minister Amit Shah set to arrive here on November 29. This much is clear.

What is also clear is that the scheduled visit is timed ahead of the final deal to be inked with the NSCN (IM) and the NNPGs.

What however is, not clear is whether it would be a one day visit or whether the Union Home Minister would deem it fit to take some more time to hear the stand of all the stakeholders.

And will the understanding of these stakeholders include the different civil society organisations, which have totally and even opposing stand on the final agreement to be inked with the NSCN (IM).

Only time will tell, but many civil society organisations, on either side of the Lim divide, should have started preparing for November 29, in case the Union Home Minister decides to given them an audience to hear the position of the people on either side of the Lim divide.

As things stand, the divide is today not only over the question of a Greater Lim, but also over the understanding of' Manipur as a distinct socio-political reality.

Would the existence of Manipur as a political reality be diluted by any agreement to be inked with the NSCN (IM), is the question that has been dogging the minds of many in Manipur.

And it is this which would be put up before the Home Minister in case any meet with the different CSOs is lined up.

The position of the State Government is clear, as spelt out by Chief Minister N Biren some days back, but what is important is how the position of Manipur is presented before the Centre.

It would also help the cause of Manipur a lot, if the State Government and the different CSOs batting for Manipur, acknowledge the fact that in Thuingaleng Muivah, they have a personality who is far sighted and has the capacity to strike a tough position, a tough negotiator by any stretch of the imagination.

Date with November 29. The importance of the scheduled visit of the Union Home Minister would not have blown over the head of anybody.

For the Imphal based media too, November 29 will be viewed with interest and trepidation and all efforts will be put in to get 'inside' information on how Amit Shah responded when the State Government put forward its position.

What did he have to say, is another important question that will occupy all the media houses here in Imphal.

The different civil society organisations too will need to roll up their sleeves to put forward whatever case they may have before the Union Home Minister.

The political negotiations between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India has been a long journey, covering more than 23 years now and in as much as a solution is wanted and awaited, all eyes will be on whether any interest of Manipur will be compromised or not.

The final pact is yet to be signed and now no one seems to know which direction the talk is headed, with the NSCN (IM) sticking to its demand for a separate flag and a Constitution.

The interesting question is whether the demand for a flag or a Constitution will be given up for some other demand, such as the creation of a Greater Lim.

A conjecture this is but all possibilities cannot be swept aside.