The Hindu : Manipuris fear disintegration

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 10, 2003

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Manipuris fear disintegration

By Our Correspondent

IMPHAL Jan. 9. The neighbouring States of Nagaland— Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur— are protesting against any move to disintegrate their territories to create " a greater Nagaland" by annexing their "Naga inhabited areas" to Nagaland.

The Manipuris fear that their territory may be conceded as part of the peace talks with the NSCN (IM) leaders in New Delhi. They say that their historic State cannot be fragmented just to sign a peace accord with the NSCN (I-M). If the territorial demands of the NSCM (I-M) are conceded, the present area of Nagaland, having 16,579 sq. km., would be increased to 1,20,000 sq. km. If the "Naga inhabited" areas are carved out, Manipur's territory would be shrunk just to one-tenth of the present area of 22.327 sq km.

According to the Manipur Students' Union there was no Naga tribe in the State since this tribe was recorded in the census from 1971 only. The then Chief Minister, Wahengbam Nipamacha, used to say that there is no Naga inhabited area, as the hill districts were jointly inhabited by the Nagas, the Kukis and other communities. His view is shared by several Kuki tribal organisations, including the apex group, the Kuki Impi Manipur.

Quoting census reports, the former Chief Minister and Opposition leader, R.K. Dorendra, says that the population of the Kukis was more in the hill districts, claimed to be Naga inhabited areas.

The Central leaders have been assuring all sections of people that the ongoing peace talks will not affect Manipur's territory. The NSCN (I-M) leaders have also maintained that they will never touch the land of the Meiteis, the non-tribals.

Leaders in Nagaland, including the Chief Minister, S.C. Jamir, say that if the Nagas of Manipur desire so, such a unity move has to be welcomed.

The Manipur Assembly had adopted four resolutions for the preservation of Manipur's territory. During the last Assembly session, the Opposition leaders attacked the Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi, for the "dual" policy of the Congress. He assured the people that Manipur's territory would be protected at all costs. At the same time, his Nagaland counterpart, Mr. Jamir, also of the Congress, was out to disintegrate Manipur, the Opposition alleged.

Mr. Ibobi said that if the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, and others betrayed the people of Manipur on this "hypersensitive" issue, he would step down.

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