Paradise in Trouble
Manipur, the Indian State where I was born, is situated in the northeastern region of India bordering Mayanmar (formerly known as Burma). Due to its geographical location, our culture has been influenced by both peninsular Indian and far-eastern oriental cultures. The Meitei community, of which I am a member, is the major ethnic group in the state. Small Meitei communities are found in other states of India and also in Bangladesh and Mayanmar. We share our state with other ethnic groups including Nagas, Kukis and other tribes. We even have a small Muslim community. People from other states of India, including Biharis, Tamils, Marwaris and Punjabis have made Manipur their home too.
One of the biggest problems facing Manipuri society today is drug addiction. The effects of being geographically close to the Golden Triangle are being felt now. Hundreds of youth in their prime have been laid unproductive because of the drug scourge. They have become a burden to the society. Related to this evil is the spread of AIDS. Sharing of syringes among addicts is the most common reason for the spread of this disease. Now Manipur has one of the highest per capita HIV positive patients in India.
Though many deny it, we cannot run away from the fact that racial tension threatens the very fabric of Manipuri society. The Meiteis had lived peacefully with the other minorities for ages. But times have changed; people from different ethnic groups interact in all walks of life, competing for land, food and other resources, which are becoming scarce. The population has increased drastically in the state with no comparable increase in the number of jobs. The state, which even had a Muslim Chief minister, faced racial riots for the first time a few years back. The hills have not been spared either. Blood of Kukis and Nagas have coloured the green hills red. The wounds will take years to heal.
Finally, I would be a hypocrite if I didn't mention the biggest problem, which Manipur faces today. The place where the Indian National Army (INA), led by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, planted the Tricolour for the first time on Indian soil, is now wracked by separatist violence. Rarely a day goes by without someone falling to bullets. The separatist movement or insurgency in Manipur started years ago. These separatists are known by various names- terrorists, freedom fighters, militants, insurgents and so on, depending on whose side you are. Years of neglect by the Central Indian government have not helped either. Because of our Mongoloid features, unique culture, language and customs, Indians in other states find it quite difficult to believe that we are also Indians. Many of us who studied outside our state had a hard time explaining that Manipur was inside India and not in Thailand. Sometimes people insulted us by calling us 'Chinks.' Some people looked down on me because they thought that I had got my University seat due to the reservation policy for scheduled tribes and scheduled castes (similar to the affirmative policy in the US). In fact, like many Meiteis, I belong to the 'General' category and have to compete equally with other Indians in the same category. These incidents led to a feeling of alienation.
For the hundreds of unemployed youth, joining a separatist group is sometimes the only option open to them. Today there are more than 10 separatist groups in Manipur. Payments of monthly dues to these groups have become routine, that it is taken as normal today. They say that the money collected is being used to fight for freedom. But I am still not clear what their idea of freedom is because I don't believe that violence can solve anything.
One can realise that there is something wrong when families try to send away their sons and daughters to other states by any means. In fact, it is estimated that lakhs of rupees are going out of the state in this way.
Some steps have been taken by the Central government to appease the Manipuris. The long-standing demand to include the Manipuri language in the 8th schedule was finally granted (by the 71st amendment of the constitution in 1992. Today Manipur has its own TV station. We even have a minister in the Union cabinet now. But it is very hard to stop a fire once it has started. The Indian Government has to regain the confidence of the population, which is no easy task. Creating employment would be one way. Sending in troops would not solve the problem. Does no one notice that the separatists and most of the police are all Manipuris? The politicians in the state and government officials are all Manipuris. In the end we end up fighting among ourselves.
One issue which is likely to become a headache in the future is that of border disputes. Mayanmar (formerly Burma) has been encroaching quietly on Manipuri areas. While several lives were lost defending a barren piece of land in Kashmir, the Indian Government does not notice what is happening in the eastern corner of the country. Manipur is also involved in a border dispute with Nagaland. As the life line of Manipur passes through that state, there's not much the Manipuris can do or is there.....
Another major problem is corruption. It is a shame that Manipur is known as one of the most corrupt states in India. And if we look at who the corrupt officials are, we find that majority of them are in fact Manipuris themselves. Something is definitely wrong when people consider giving and taking bribes as normal.
We should stop complaining and blaming others for the under-development and corruption in our state. Unless and until there is peace and stability in our state, no investor would be willing to invest in the state. So, ultimately it becomes "Who will Bell the Cat" story.
It is difficult for a society to change but if a few clean guys stand up and lead the way, it would be a great start. I hope that one day Manipur would be the Paradise it was meant to be.
As they say, "Little Drops of Water, Little Grains of Sand make the Mighty Ocean and the Pleasant Land."
