Date:15/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/08/15/stories/2004081501791600.htm

Opinion - News Analysis

The insurgents and their moves

AN ESTIMATED 19 insurgent groups that are active in Manipur to varying degrees. Of these, the most important Meitei outfits are the People's Liberation Army (PLA), United National Liberation Front (UNLF), and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), active mostly in the valley districts of Imphal East and West, Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Thoubal. Two other Meitei insurgent groups with some presence are the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP).

All five outfits are banned under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). Insurgent groups active in the hill districts of Ukhrul and Senapati, and in Tamenglong include the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and the Kuki National Army. Clashes between Naga and Kuki groups and within Naga and Meitei factions are common; many Manipuris believe Indian intelligence agencies actively promote these fights.

"Cleansing"

The basic demand of most of the Meitei insurgents is for an independent Manipur. The KYKL has also taken up the task of "cleansing" Manipuri society of social evils. The group has acted to put an end to cheating during exams, threatening invigilators who are lax with dire consequences and in some instances even shooting, but not killing, them. Three years ago, KYKL insisted that girls studying in Manipur colleges wear the traditional phanek to class, a diktat that is scrupulously adhered to by college authorities and student unions across the State.

"I think the move is more to do with ensuring sufficient demand for the phanek (the production of which is a household business for many Manipuri women) at a time when the State is flooded with cloth that is produced outside rather than any chauvinist reason," says a college lecturer. Still, some women's groups in the State like the All Manipur Democratic Women's Association have objected to this attempt to force women and girls to adhere to a dress code.

Hindi movies banned

The insurgent groups have also effectively banned Hindi movies and even songs from Manipur. Videocassettes, VCDs and audio tapes from Bollywood are not sold in the State, a ban ordinary Manipuris are reluctantly putting up with. On the upside, the Manipuri music and film industry has rushed in to fill the void, and most of its output is of fairly high quality.

Dispute with Nagas

The `Nagalim', or greater Nagaland demand of the NSCN (I-M), is a further complicating factor with the Meitei groups fiercely opposed to any attempt to redraw existing State boundaries to allow Naga areas in Ukhrul and Senapati districts to be taken out of Manipur.

Two years ago, there were violent protests in Imphal — including the sacking of the Chief Minister's residence — when word went around that the State Government was giving in to Central pressure to extend the ceasefire with NSCN (I-M) to Naga areas within Manipur.

So far, none of the Meitei insurgents has given any indication of a desire to start a dialogue. "But that does not mean the Centre should not take the first step," says Rishang Keishing.

Even as he advocates unconditional dialogue with the insurgents, Gangumei Kamei, a former Law Minister, says he is aware of the difficulties. "For dialogue to succeed, there has to be a strong constituency in favour of peace. In Nagaland, there has been a strong demand for peace over the years but in Manipur we lack this. The people have to start agitating that all those using guns should stop. Then dialogue is bound to succeed."

S.V.