It is very unfortunate to witness the development of social unrest recently in Manipur and the failure to bring a peaceful solution by the stakeholders. The nexus of agitation which started from the economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) against the creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam revenue district and counter economic […]
It is very unfortunate to witness the development of social unrest recently in Manipur and the failure to bring a peaceful solution by the stakeholders. The nexus of agitation which started from the economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) against the creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam revenue district and counter economic […]
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/12/defuse-the-ongoing-unrest-in-manipur/
The following is a transcript of the original voice recording of the lecture given by Dr Malem Ningthouja, Chairperson CPDM, during the one day public seminar on ‘STOP WAR ON PEOPLE’ organised by MATIDARI, on 26th Sept 2016 at Constitution Club, Delhi. Good afternoon friends My warm greetings to strategic friends, tactical friends, progressive individuals […]
The following is a transcript of the original voice recording of the lecture given by Dr Malem Ningthouja, Chairperson CPDM, during the one day public seminar on ‘STOP WAR ON PEOPLE’ organised by MATIDARI, on 26th Sept 2016 at Constitution Club, Delhi. Good afternoon friends My warm greetings to strategic friends, tactical friends, progressive individuals […]
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/09/wither-war-on-people-dr-malem-ningthouja/
Campaign for Peace & Democracy Manipur pays red salute and condoles the demise of the honourable Chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM) late Mr. Isak Chishi Swu. Mr. Isak Swu was one of the leaders in Northeast India who have stood firmly for the cause of a political ideology and have dedicated […]
The post CPDM Condoles for late Isak Chishi Swu appeared first on KanglaOnline.
Campaign for Peace & Democracy Manipur pays red salute and condoles the demise of the honourable Chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM) late Mr. Isak Chishi Swu. Mr. Isak Swu was one of the leaders in Northeast India who have stood firmly for the cause of a political ideology and have dedicated […]
The post CPDM Condoles for late Isak Chishi Swu appeared first on KanglaOnline.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/06/cpdm-condoles-late-isak-chishi-swu/
Press release from Coordination of Democratic Rights Organisation (CDRO) on the current Kashmir issue. (Original exerpts) Coordination of Democratic Rights Organisation is alarmed at how a demand for justice results again in killing of civilians by a t…
Press release from Coordination of Democratic Rights Organisation (CDRO) on the current Kashmir issue. (Original exerpts) Coordination of Democratic Rights Organisation is alarmed at how a demand for justice results again in killing of civilians by a trigger happy Government force in Kashmir. The alleged molestation of a 16 year old girl on April 12th
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/04/kashmir-more-things-change-more-they-remain-the-same/
CPDM Statement on the occasion of the commemoration of Manipur Women’s War 1939 On the occasion of the commemoration of the Manipur Women’s War 1939 on 12 December, the Campaign
CPDM Statement on the occasion of the commemoration of Manipur Women’s War 1939 On the occasion of the commemoration of the Manipur Women’s War 1939 on 12 December, the Campaign
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/12/women-of-manipur-rise-up-for-united-struggle/
Exclusive (online) interview carried out by Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur) for KanglaOnline. – Why young student activists wanted Inner Line Permit System in Manipur? – Why are they
Exclusive (online) interview carried out by Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur) for KanglaOnline.
– Why young student activists wanted Inner Line Permit System in Manipur?
– Why are they fearless to speak out their minds?
– How will the judgmental sections interpret their minds: are these students to be seen as misguided or forced to have political views and some democratic actions?
Read the background of this interview series: CPDM interview-series-why-young-student-activists-wanted-inner-line-permit-system-in-manipur
CPDM Interview with Manishwar Nongmaithem
Manishwar Nongmaithem
Manishwar Nongmaithem
33 years Old
Kakching Ningthou Leikai, Thoubal District, Manipur, India
Advisor, Manipur Students’ Association Delhi
CPDM: Where are you presently located?
Manishwar Nongmaithem: Delhi.
CPDM: Why did you leave Manipur and choose Delhi for your studies?
Manishwar Nongmaithem: I wanted to visit places and observe the conditions of the capitalist governments. Delhi was my first destination choice. This has also made me know clearly about the governance of my state.
CPDM: Which class are you in? please tell us the name of your institute too
Manishwar Nongmaithem: I am presently a student of tourism studies in IGNOU
CPDM: What is the purpose of your education? What ambition in life motivates you to pursue education?
Manishwar Nongmaithem: Since I belong to a system made for the comfort of the rich, I realised that I need a certificate too. I will use it when necessary. I want to work as a political activist to produce “revolutionaries” who can bring about a just and equitable society.
CPDM: What are your views on the inner line permit system movement in Manipur? Do you think it is a right movement? Please share us your thoughts.
Manishwar Nongmaithem: The use of the phrase “Inner Line Permit System” by the people of Manipur is appreciated. The people are united and have been demanding relentlessly to make this one phrase into an act. The demand of ILPS is to save the indigenous people. In this, the government has used its state forces to suppress my brethren agitators, mainly the students who have taken a firm commitment to challenge the government.
What I want to ask is how these tactics of suppressing the people’s movement has come into being? What people are witnessing and experiencing is just a symptom, the actual disease is veiled by the government and so people cannot see it or understand it. Are we going to blame the citizens for not having enough knowledge on this? Or are we going to say that it is the government’s trap or plan?
Before we start a discussion on ILPS, we must first know about the veil of the government i.e.; democracy. A great lie of Indian government will be democracy. This is the word the government uses to throw ash into people’s eyes to make the world a market place for the rich people. Its branches has reached my homeland Manipur too. So, I think we must have a discussion on weather we should have ILPS or not for saving the indigenous people. If a government truly upholds the democratic principles, I don’t think we need an ILPS.
Since many communities and ethnicities reside, the government might be at loss pondering which one community to protect and which one not? While trying to fulfil one’s brim, will it result in evaporating the others? This is a question well circulated among the numerically dominant meeteis, kukis and nagas. There are communities who will be at loss when there is ILPS. Are we going to hide the reasons forever? They say it is a people’s movement but are we doing it just for the heck of it? Can’t we find the answers to these questions together? If this is a people’s movement, why didn’t they give an opportunity for an open dialogue?
On a concluding note, I would want to add that saving an indigenous population is a natural phenomenon in a just and equitable society. We need to work jointly here.
CPDM: How have you come to know about the inner line permit system? Would you share it with us?
Manishwar Nongmaithem: I was aware of the mobilisation of students for strike in the 80’s by AMSU during my school days at home. The movement was “chasing mayangs” back then (they didn’t say outsiders). But when I was in Delhi, in 2011, as a member of the Human Rights Committee of Manipur Students’ Association Delhi, a group of people from Manipur came for demanding ILPS. I interacted and had discussions with them and from then onwards I knew about the nature and meaning of ILPS.
CPDM: Do you think the student community should/ should not participate in the ilp movement? Please elaborate your statement.
Manishwar Nongmaithem: The students should take part in the Inner Line Permit System movement. When it is a movement of the land, it is natural for people to participate in it. I am of the opinion that it is also very important for the students to do whatever they can. Old age is inevitable, everyone must be aware of it. But, there is a big difference between getting old and having an indepth knowledge of the issues of the land. This is the reason why young students should take active role in the issues of the land. Even if peace prevails in the land, if the government does not pay attention to small issues like lack of teachers in the school, then it is natural for students to come out and demand for teachers. Studying is the duty of students but when the society that child belongs to is burning, will the student still sit back and study?
CPDM: Do you think students who have left Manipur for their studies should take part in political activities of such nature? Please elaborate.
Manishwar Nongmaithem: Many Manipuri students study outside. Even if they are out from Manipur, they are still Manipuris. I am sure everyone must have attachments for their homeland and ethnicities. However, not everyone thinks the same. People stand and do for what they believe in. And it is not that such people do not harm the situation of the land. Few students who are out of the state take part in the issues of the land. Students who are volunteers in student organisations are the ones taking active roles. Most do not want to participate. This is because they are either scared or lazy, shy, timid, lacks interest or time, has no political consciousness or maybe the present situation of the government has made them so. I have mentioned earlier too that in the political issues of the land, the people have a huge role to play. So, it should be kept in mind that in “the people”, the students are also involved. It is the student stage which is best suited for a political consciousness and to get involved in political activities of the land. This is the reason I believe that students should not remain mumed in institutes which supports the government as this will render unfit to the true meaning of students. Therefore, I am not in favour of concluding a precious student’s life only to the confines of books and syllabuses.
CPDM: Have you taken any initiative/ active role in the ILPS movement? If so, please state it. Did anyone force you to join the agitation or take responsibility of it?
Manishwar Nongmaithem: I have read articles and pamphlets on the Inner Line Permit System. As a political activist, I know my stand. I clearly know my goal, my duty, and my responsibility in the ILPS movement of the people. If at any point of time an issue is brought up as an issue of the land at large, it is very important to discuss and dissect the ideology and goal of the individuals leading the movement. Because it will be wrong to be a part of any movement only because it is a people’s movement; it requires rigorous discussion. Similarly, the present ILPS movement, its genesis, and where it stands today, the people’s uprising, and the actions of the government, all of it must be discussed thoroughly. The student platforms provide room for debates of all sorts. This has given a wider opportunity to convey messages to young students and to the society. I have taken this opportunity to gather students (especially in Delhi) and have held talks and discussions on what ILPS is. We have together raised our voices to free ourselves from the demographic invasion arising out of the nature and policies of the government. Talks, meetings, discussions were conducted in different places with people from different communities. All these were done purely out of my own intention consciously and I think this needs to be done too.
CPDM: What are the reasons for the failure of ILPS demand movement?
Manishwar Nongmaithem: There will be certain reasons for the ILPS movement not to be a successful one. Those are:
CPDM: What do you want to say to the government of Manipur with regards to the inner line permit system movement?
Manishwar Nongmaithem: I want to put forward these words to the dictator government of Manipur which is using the mask of democracy in relation to ILPS. They are:
CPDM: What do you want to say to the government and police forces of Manipur on the issue of ILPS implementation?
Manishwar Nongmaithem: To the Manipur police and the government forces: The citizens are aware that the condition of the government has made the state forces a buy-able commodity in the market. People sell off their lands and properties to buy any government post for lakhs of rupees. Upto what extent will the people of Manipur have faith in them? For the government it is compulsory to pile up money for personal purpose. So, it won’t be wrong to state that most of the posts in Manipur Police must have been shared among the MLA’s. Those working in Manipur police are all Manipuris. I think the police should not behave in this brutal beastly manner to their own people or for the sake of humanity should have behaved humanly, even though the government directs them to behave brutality. The student they have killed might also be one of their locality mates. What poisonous potion has the government fed them that they, the forces who are supposed to protect us, are biting us instead? Don’t they have relatives, homes, children and locality mates? They will definitely have. Which face of their personality have they hidden for their family members? We the people of our land who are working for our land; are we going to end up like this by killing one another in broad day light? Don’t they have any thinking for the human society? Yes, it is true that you must have been given dangerous weapons, fed obnoxious drugs and must have gone through tough training regimes. But isn’t it time that you start thinking for whom it is? It is high time that we together save ourselves from drowning into the plots of the government.
CPDM: What message do you want to convey to the leaders and civil society organisations of ILPS movement?
Manishwar Nongmaithem: I put forward few words to the civil society organisations who has taken lead roles in the issues of the state in relation to the ILPS movement. First, I would be glad if you could organise or give an opportunity to organise mass inter community discussions on what ILP is, its nature, meaning etcetera. Being a state issue, many burdens and questions are bound to arise from all angles. If you consider these questions important, you can connect through social media to clear off the people’s doubts. I believe, you will stand firmly against the strong tide of the government. Most importantly, I would want the forerunners in the movement who are working on the platform of students to have proper classes on political consciousness and ideologies. The victory is for the people.
—x—
Read the interview series: CPDM interview-series-why-young-student-activists-wanted-inner-line-permit-system-in-manipur
–> Interview with Haobam Supriya: ILPS Movement is a People’s Movement
–> Interview with Chingtham Balbir: ILPS Movement is not Selected Few
–> Interview with Thoithoi Huidrom: Stop not till the ILPS demand is achieved
–> Interview with Irengbam Priobata: No one forced me to participate in any students movements, I was happy to be part of it
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/cpdm-interview-series-they-say-ilps-is-a-movement-of-the-people-of-manipur-but-not-all-communities-are-involved-manishwar-nongmaithem/
We express our heartfelt condolence to the untimely demise of Kuki brethren, who lost their precious lives in the course of series of unfortunate incidents in Churachandpur District (Manipur: India):
We express our heartfelt condolence to the untimely demise of Kuki brethren, who lost their precious lives in the course of series of unfortunate incidents in Churachandpur District (Manipur: India): the two persons who were burnt alive, one who succumbed to an accident injury, and five others who were killed in the repression. We share the grievances of the families and pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. We also convey our goodwill message to all the injured persons to recover soon.
We are aware of the restive situation erupted from 31 August 2015 onwards, against the three bills recently passed by the Government of Manipur; which has now spread like wildfire in the Manipur Hills. About 13 days before, the incident in Moreh Town on 18 August was a clear signal that any political decision that may encapsulate the entire Manipur, if there is no deliberate policy agenda to make it become a matter of contention and unrest, must first of all fulfil prior informed consent of the peoples for whom the decision has to be taken. The government, however, have always acted above community or popular conscience, as a result of which dissentions and unrests have become the order of the day. We wonder if the policy makers were either sincerely ignorant about the latent unrest vis-à-vis the bills or simply feigning ignorance to test the tolerance and capability of dissention or simply igniting communal flames to disunite peoples, to serve certain authoritarian interests. Although we do not approve violent mobbing, riots and destruction of properties in the name of protest; we held the government fully accountable for creating an atmosphere of mistrust and violent agitations in the Kuki clustered areas.
We are also aware that before the Kukis and the Nagas rose in protest against the bills, the peoples in the Manipur Valley had risen in agitations to demand Inner Line Permit System and they were brutally suppressed for some months. The unrest had affected the entire Manipur, particularly the larger bulk of the poor and daily wage earners. A student was killed in police action, about 450 were injured, hundreds were jailed and scores of properties were destroyed. All these could have been prevented, if the government had fulfilled the reasonable the demand without delay. After causing much damages, the government, on 31 August, passed three bills, which partly fulfilled the demands and pacified the agitation. What becomes apparent, however, is; while the wounds in the Valley have not been fully healed, the government have designed the bills in such a manner that it opened the door to different interpretations that inflicted wounds in the Hills. A Pandora’s Box is being opened to let loose sensitive issues, thereby, letting the wounded communities into tensions. In the melee of projecting community enemies, those who are in power often escaped away from the collective scrutiny of their arrogances and misrules.
We are witness to the manner the Kukis have reacted to their immediate representatives, the MLAs. The MLAs were singled out for unrepresenting the dissenting voice and their luxurious houses were burnt. Although we could not approve such violence and destructions; we cannot deny that these convey the message about the power of popular struggle. All these exemplify that the existing relation of powers, between the rulers and the ruled, can be turned into upside down, at the wink of eye, if the peoples want it. The Kuki agitation is limited in scope, as it is centred on the resentment against the bills. Given the nature of the demand and the leadership, which could not magnify beyond the higher demand for either VI Schedule or different administrative state for the Kukis: revolutionary direction towards an overall regime change, to free the society from inequality and bourgeoisie misrule, is still missing. However, the misruled Nagas, Meeteis and other minorities in Manipur have a lot to learn about their latent collective strength from this particular episode of Kuki agitation. The Kuki experience can also serve as a constant reminder to whosoever comes to the power, to have a second thought in policy framing and implementations.
Finally, we once again express our heartfelt condolence to all those from the Meeteis and Kukis who lost their precious lives in the course of different agitations in the last few months. We convey our goodwill message to all the injured persons to recover soon. We congratulate those in the Valley who have partly achieved their demand. We also express our solidarity to the democratic struggle in the Hills by those who do not want the bills to encroach upon their rights. We appeal to all, to arrive at a point, to ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are collectively protected from the outsiders and capital intrusion that grabs land and resources in the guise of projects such as dams, mining, oil drilling, civil and defence infrastructures.
Long live people’s democratic struggle
Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur)
4th September 2015
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/condolence-to-churachandpur-victims-and-solidarity-to-peoples-democratic-struggle/
We express our heartfelt condolence to the untimely demise of Kuki brethren, who lost their precious lives in the course of series of unfortunate incidents in Churachandpur District (Manipur: India):
We express our heartfelt condolence to the untimely demise of Kuki brethren, who lost their precious lives in the course of series of unfortunate incidents in Churachandpur District (Manipur: India): the two persons who were burnt alive, one who succumbed to an accident injury, and five others who were killed in the repression. We share the grievances of the families and pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. We also convey our goodwill message to all the injured persons to recover soon.
We are aware of the restive situation erupted from 31 August 2015 onwards, against the three bills recently passed by the Government of Manipur; which has now spread like wildfire in the Manipur Hills. About 13 days before, the incident in Moreh Town on 18 August was a clear signal that any political decision that may encapsulate the entire Manipur, if there is no deliberate policy agenda to make it become a matter of contention and unrest, must first of all fulfil prior informed consent of the peoples for whom the decision has to be taken. The government, however, have always acted above community or popular conscience, as a result of which dissentions and unrests have become the order of the day. We wonder if the policy makers were either sincerely ignorant about the latent unrest vis-à-vis the bills or simply feigning ignorance to test the tolerance and capability of dissention or simply igniting communal flames to disunite peoples, to serve certain authoritarian interests. Although we do not approve violent mobbing, riots and destruction of properties in the name of protest; we held the government fully accountable for creating an atmosphere of mistrust and violent agitations in the Kuki clustered areas.
We are also aware that before the Kukis and the Nagas rose in protest against the bills, the peoples in the Manipur Valley had risen in agitations to demand Inner Line Permit System and they were brutally suppressed for some months. The unrest had affected the entire Manipur, particularly the larger bulk of the poor and daily wage earners. A student was killed in police action, about 450 were injured, hundreds were jailed and scores of properties were destroyed. All these could have been prevented, if the government had fulfilled the reasonable the demand without delay. After causing much damages, the government, on 31 August, passed three bills, which partly fulfilled the demands and pacified the agitation. What becomes apparent, however, is; while the wounds in the Valley have not been fully healed, the government have designed the bills in such a manner that it opened the door to different interpretations that inflicted wounds in the Hills. A Pandora’s Box is being opened to let loose sensitive issues, thereby, letting the wounded communities into tensions. In the melee of projecting community enemies, those who are in power often escaped away from the collective scrutiny of their arrogances and misrules.
We are witness to the manner the Kukis have reacted to their immediate representatives, the MLAs. The MLAs were singled out for unrepresenting the dissenting voice and their luxurious houses were burnt. Although we could not approve such violence and destructions; we cannot deny that these convey the message about the power of popular struggle. All these exemplify that the existing relation of powers, between the rulers and the ruled, can be turned into upside down, at the wink of eye, if the peoples want it. The Kuki agitation is limited in scope, as it is centred on the resentment against the bills. Given the nature of the demand and the leadership, which could not magnify beyond the higher demand for either VI Schedule or different administrative state for the Kukis: revolutionary direction towards an overall regime change, to free the society from inequality and bourgeoisie misrule, is still missing. However, the misruled Nagas, Meeteis and other minorities in Manipur have a lot to learn about their latent collective strength from this particular episode of Kuki agitation. The Kuki experience can also serve as a constant reminder to whosoever comes to the power, to have a second thought in policy framing and implementations.
Finally, we once again express our heartfelt condolence to all those from the Meeteis and Kukis who lost their precious lives in the course of different agitations in the last few months. We convey our goodwill message to all the injured persons to recover soon. We congratulate those in the Valley who have partly achieved their demand. We also express our solidarity to the democratic struggle in the Hills by those who do not want the bills to encroach upon their rights. We appeal to all, to arrive at a point, to ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are collectively protected from the outsiders and capital intrusion that grabs land and resources in the guise of projects such as dams, mining, oil drilling, civil and defence infrastructures.
Long live people’s democratic struggle
Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur)
4th September 2015
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/condolence-to-churachandpur-victims-and-solidarity-to-peoples-democratic-struggle/
We express our heartfelt condolence to the untimely demise of Kuki brethren, who lost their precious lives in the course of series of unfortunate incidents in Churachandpur District (Manipur: India):
We express our heartfelt condolence to the untimely demise of Kuki brethren, who lost their precious lives in the course of series of unfortunate incidents in Churachandpur District (Manipur: India): the two persons who were burnt alive, one who succumbed to an accident injury, and five others who were killed in the repression. We share the grievances of the families and pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. We also convey our goodwill message to all the injured persons to recover soon.
We are aware of the restive situation erupted from 31 August 2015 onwards, against the three bills recently passed by the Government of Manipur; which has now spread like wildfire in the Manipur Hills. About 13 days before, the incident in Moreh Town on 18 August was a clear signal that any political decision that may encapsulate the entire Manipur, if there is no deliberate policy agenda to make it become a matter of contention and unrest, must first of all fulfil prior informed consent of the peoples for whom the decision has to be taken. The government, however, have always acted above community or popular conscience, as a result of which dissentions and unrests have become the order of the day. We wonder if the policy makers were either sincerely ignorant about the latent unrest vis-à-vis the bills or simply feigning ignorance to test the tolerance and capability of dissention or simply igniting communal flames to disunite peoples, to serve certain authoritarian interests. Although we do not approve violent mobbing, riots and destruction of properties in the name of protest; we held the government fully accountable for creating an atmosphere of mistrust and violent agitations in the Kuki clustered areas.
We are also aware that before the Kukis and the Nagas rose in protest against the bills, the peoples in the Manipur Valley had risen in agitations to demand Inner Line Permit System and they were brutally suppressed for some months. The unrest had affected the entire Manipur, particularly the larger bulk of the poor and daily wage earners. A student was killed in police action, about 450 were injured, hundreds were jailed and scores of properties were destroyed. All these could have been prevented, if the government had fulfilled the reasonable the demand without delay. After causing much damages, the government, on 31 August, passed three bills, which partly fulfilled the demands and pacified the agitation. What becomes apparent, however, is; while the wounds in the Valley have not been fully healed, the government have designed the bills in such a manner that it opened the door to different interpretations that inflicted wounds in the Hills. A Pandora’s Box is being opened to let loose sensitive issues, thereby, letting the wounded communities into tensions. In the melee of projecting community enemies, those who are in power often escaped away from the collective scrutiny of their arrogances and misrules.
We are witness to the manner the Kukis have reacted to their immediate representatives, the MLAs. The MLAs were singled out for unrepresenting the dissenting voice and their luxurious houses were burnt. Although we could not approve such violence and destructions; we cannot deny that these convey the message about the power of popular struggle. All these exemplify that the existing relation of powers, between the rulers and the ruled, can be turned into upside down, at the wink of eye, if the peoples want it. The Kuki agitation is limited in scope, as it is centred on the resentment against the bills. Given the nature of the demand and the leadership, which could not magnify beyond the higher demand for either VI Schedule or different administrative state for the Kukis: revolutionary direction towards an overall regime change, to free the society from inequality and bourgeoisie misrule, is still missing. However, the misruled Nagas, Meeteis and other minorities in Manipur have a lot to learn about their latent collective strength from this particular episode of Kuki agitation. The Kuki experience can also serve as a constant reminder to whosoever comes to the power, to have a second thought in policy framing and implementations.
Finally, we once again express our heartfelt condolence to all those from the Meeteis and Kukis who lost their precious lives in the course of different agitations in the last few months. We convey our goodwill message to all the injured persons to recover soon. We congratulate those in the Valley who have partly achieved their demand. We also express our solidarity to the democratic struggle in the Hills by those who do not want the bills to encroach upon their rights. We appeal to all, to arrive at a point, to ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are collectively protected from the outsiders and capital intrusion that grabs land and resources in the guise of projects such as dams, mining, oil drilling, civil and defence infrastructures.
Long live people’s democratic struggle
Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur)
4th September 2015
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/condolence-to-churachandpur-victims-and-solidarity-to-peoples-democratic-struggle/
We express our heartfelt condolence to the untimely demise of Kuki brethren, who lost their precious lives in the course of series of unfortunate incidents in Churachandpur District (Manipur: India):
We express our heartfelt condolence to the untimely demise of Kuki brethren, who lost their precious lives in the course of series of unfortunate incidents in Churachandpur District (Manipur: India): the two persons who were burnt alive, one who succumbed to an accident injury, and five others who were killed in the repression. We share the grievances of the families and pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. We also convey our goodwill message to all the injured persons to recover soon.
We are aware of the restive situation erupted from 31 August 2015 onwards, against the three bills recently passed by the Government of Manipur; which has now spread like wildfire in the Manipur Hills. About 13 days before, the incident in Moreh Town on 18 August was a clear signal that any political decision that may encapsulate the entire Manipur, if there is no deliberate policy agenda to make it become a matter of contention and unrest, must first of all fulfil prior informed consent of the peoples for whom the decision has to be taken. The government, however, have always acted above community or popular conscience, as a result of which dissentions and unrests have become the order of the day. We wonder if the policy makers were either sincerely ignorant about the latent unrest vis-à-vis the bills or simply feigning ignorance to test the tolerance and capability of dissention or simply igniting communal flames to disunite peoples, to serve certain authoritarian interests. Although we do not approve violent mobbing, riots and destruction of properties in the name of protest; we held the government fully accountable for creating an atmosphere of mistrust and violent agitations in the Kuki clustered areas.
We are also aware that before the Kukis and the Nagas rose in protest against the bills, the peoples in the Manipur Valley had risen in agitations to demand Inner Line Permit System and they were brutally suppressed for some months. The unrest had affected the entire Manipur, particularly the larger bulk of the poor and daily wage earners. A student was killed in police action, about 450 were injured, hundreds were jailed and scores of properties were destroyed. All these could have been prevented, if the government had fulfilled the reasonable the demand without delay. After causing much damages, the government, on 31 August, passed three bills, which partly fulfilled the demands and pacified the agitation. What becomes apparent, however, is; while the wounds in the Valley have not been fully healed, the government have designed the bills in such a manner that it opened the door to different interpretations that inflicted wounds in the Hills. A Pandora’s Box is being opened to let loose sensitive issues, thereby, letting the wounded communities into tensions. In the melee of projecting community enemies, those who are in power often escaped away from the collective scrutiny of their arrogances and misrules.
We are witness to the manner the Kukis have reacted to their immediate representatives, the MLAs. The MLAs were singled out for unrepresenting the dissenting voice and their luxurious houses were burnt. Although we could not approve such violence and destructions; we cannot deny that these convey the message about the power of popular struggle. All these exemplify that the existing relation of powers, between the rulers and the ruled, can be turned into upside down, at the wink of eye, if the peoples want it. The Kuki agitation is limited in scope, as it is centred on the resentment against the bills. Given the nature of the demand and the leadership, which could not magnify beyond the higher demand for either VI Schedule or different administrative state for the Kukis: revolutionary direction towards an overall regime change, to free the society from inequality and bourgeoisie misrule, is still missing. However, the misruled Nagas, Meeteis and other minorities in Manipur have a lot to learn about their latent collective strength from this particular episode of Kuki agitation. The Kuki experience can also serve as a constant reminder to whosoever comes to the power, to have a second thought in policy framing and implementations.
Finally, we once again express our heartfelt condolence to all those from the Meeteis and Kukis who lost their precious lives in the course of different agitations in the last few months. We convey our goodwill message to all the injured persons to recover soon. We congratulate those in the Valley who have partly achieved their demand. We also express our solidarity to the democratic struggle in the Hills by those who do not want the bills to encroach upon their rights. We appeal to all, to arrive at a point, to ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are collectively protected from the outsiders and capital intrusion that grabs land and resources in the guise of projects such as dams, mining, oil drilling, civil and defence infrastructures.
Long live people’s democratic struggle
Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur)
4th September 2015
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/condolence-to-churachandpur-victims-and-solidarity-to-peoples-democratic-struggle/
In response to the years long movement demanding implementation of an Inner Line Permit System in Manipur, the Government of Manipur have recently passed three bills; the Protection of
In response to the years long movement demanding implementation of an Inner Line Permit System in Manipur, the Government of Manipur have recently passed three bills; the Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Amendment Bill 2015, and the Manipur Shops and Establishments Bill 2015. These bills have been achieved after prolonged struggle that had affected most of the people (in Manipur) in some way or the other such as heavy repressions, casualties, arrests, riots, destruction of properties and obstructions to the normal functioning of democratic order.
Read about “The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015″
Some sections of the population, however, have expressed dissatisfaction to the bills. The hard core pro ILP Sections felt that their demand have not been fully fulfilled by these bills. They considered that the Government still enjoys the power to sell land to the outsiders. Economically powerful outsiders can still buy land, if they are being favoured by those who are with the administration. There is no clear cut provision on the protection of the local labour and professionals, as outsider employees are exempted from the permit system. Whereas registered local entrepreneurs who fail to get their employees registered had to be penalised, there is no penalty against outsiders who would violate the provisions of the bills, such as entry without a valid pass or who fail to get their name registered in the concerned Directorate. There is also no provision on the detection of the landowner outsiders and corresponding actions to be taken up against them.
Read about “Manipur Land Revenue & Land reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015
The bills have been openly opposed by the ‘tribal’ organisations, who claimed control of the Manipur Hill districts, particularly those of the Kuki Chin Mizo communities. They started feeling insecure as many of them, either those who probably immigrated to Manipur after 1951 or whose lineages may not be found in the list criteria mentioned in the Bills, could be treated as outsiders and lose their landed rights and properties tied with land. The other tribes have also expressed the similar concern. While trying to project the bills as pro-Meetei, they, however, fail to see that no one who come after 1951 is exempted from the permit system, including some sections of the Meeteis and others who came to Manipur after 1951. What they could have argued is that that the cut of base year 1951, to detect outsiders, would be redundant in regards to those settled immigrants after 1951 who have close ethnic ties with the one or the other ‘indigenous’ community. However, this insecurity interplayed with the propaganda that the Manipur Land Revenue and Reform Act 1960 have been extended to the hill districts, which is untrue as there is no amendment in the territorial extent of the said Act.
Read about “The Manipur Shops & Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015″
The resentment against the bills, which have affected Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh towns and other hill areas would not have been escalated into the present scale of unrest, had the Government of Manipur consulted the Hill Areas Committee or other responsible ‘tribal’ organisations to resolve any misunderstanding before passing the bills. The Government of Manipur had been lacking transparent in this regards; to the extent that these bills had not been made officially public till date. On the other-hand there has been inherent sectarianism of the civil societies that are either in favour of or against these bills. Neither the organisation that had led the ILP movement nor the tribal organisations who protest the bills had approached one another for a dialogue and understanding in this regards. From the beginning the ILP movement was mostly confined in the Valley Districts, while those in the Hills have isolated themselves from the movement thinking that they have been protected from outsiders under the existing laws. There were avoidable conflicts, which would have not occurred if these organisation had pursued for democratic solution to any of the complex issues. Now, when tensions have been spread due to misunderstanding and absence of dialogue, there seems to be roles of certain vested political groups to add fuel to magnify the unrest situation, to justify imposition of President Rule to topple down the incumbent congress ministry.
Our concern, however, is that all these unrest, rioting and repression has led to heavy toll and casualty on the civilians, destruction of properties and communal mistrusts. The common peoples are the losers in this conflict; as we know, the elite will negotiate at the negotiation table and share any form of loot from the public fund. We question: what are these bills that have caused dissatisfactions and misunderstandings to different sections of the population? Is there no room to either clarify the misunderstanding or add some clauses in the bills to resolve the immediate tension? Can the ‘indigenous insiders’ protect themselves from outsiders without promoting mutual trust, respect and co-operation amongst themselves? What the people need to realise is that they are trapped by the same fate of political betrayal and marginalisation. Unless they fight collectively on the basis of mutual respect and consensus, they are the losers. We, therefore, call upon the concerned civil society organisations, political parties, and other stake holders to have a dialogue on the Manipur People Protection Bill 2015 and the amendments in other two bills. We appeal them to help in defusing tension, demilitarisation and address the grievances of the affected families across communities.
Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur)
2nd September 2015
Three Bills Passed by Government of Manipur:
1. The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015
2. The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (7th Amendment ) Bill, 2015
3. The Manipur Shops and Establishments (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2015
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/cpdm-on-present-conflict-on-protection-bill/
Exclusive (online) interview carried out by Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur) for KanglaOnline. – Why young student activists wanted Inner Line Permit System in Manipur? – Why are they
Exclusive (online) interview carried out by Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur) for KanglaOnline.
– Why young student activists wanted Inner Line Permit System in Manipur?
– Why are they fearless to speak out their minds?
– How will the judgmental sections interpret their minds: are these students to be seen as misguided or forced to have political views and some democratic actions?
Read the background of this interview series: CPDM interview-series-why-young-student-activists-wanted-inner-line-permit-system-in-manipur
Irengbam Priyobata
CPDM Interview with Irengbam Priyobata
Student Profile
Irengbam Priyobata
23 years Old
Irengbam, Bishnupur district
Vice President, Manipur Students’ Association Delhi
CPDM: Please tell us your name and surname, sex and age.
Irengbam Priyobata: Irengbam Priyobata, male, 23 years
CPDM: Where are you from?
Irengbam Priyobata: Irengbam, Bishnupur district.
CPDM: Where are you presently located?
Irengbam Priyobata: Delhi.
CPDM: Why did you leave manipur and choose Delhi for your studies?
Irengbam Priyobata: I didn’t very much liked the idea of leaving Manipur for studies and I wanted to study in Manipur. On the other hand, my parents wanted me to study out of town because colleges in Manipur have low teaching standards. These circumstances drove me to Delhi University for my education.
CPDM: Which class are you in? Please tell us the name of your institute too.
Irengbam Priyobata: I have completed my graduation this time in Zakir Husain College, Delhi.
CPDM: What is the purpose of your education? What ambition in life motivates you to pursue education?
Irengbam Priyobata: For knowledge and certificate. There were many things I wanted to become in life but none of them lures me now. My family elders have pressured me to get a job and make their lives happy and comfortable. I will fulfil their wishes, but I didn’t pursue education for these.
CPDM: What are your views on the inner line permit system movement in manipur? Do you think it is a right movement? Please share us your thoughts.
Irengbam Priyobata: Inner Line Permit System is a movement of the people and calls for saving the indigenous people of Manipur. But who is an indigenous person? Will only those persons residing in Manipur prior to 1951 be called indigenous people? There are many questions here. The agitators should know this first and take part in the movement. There are outsiders who have moved to Manipur in 1956, call Manipur their homeland and have no other home in other states of India. I wonder where they stand in the ILP question.
CPDM: How have you come to know about the inner line permit system? Would you share it with us?
Irengbam Priyobata: I have been participating in the ILP movement since I was in class 9. In classes 11 and 12 too, I have participated in various movements in Manipur. But I didn’t consult books and papers to know more about it. After coming to Delhi, I knew more about it from Manipur Students’ Association, Delhi.
CPDM: Do you think the student community should/ should not participate in the ilp movement? Please elaborate your statement.
Irengbam Priyobata: I believe the students should be the ones taking a more proactive role in the Inner line permit system movement, for this movement is for the future generation. His education is useless if a student just studies for the sake of studying and not take part in state issues. There are many benefits of students taking part in the movement, our system discourages non students to take lead roles in any agitation. We have a tradition of killing people on false charges too.
CPDM: Do you think students who have left manipur for their studies should take part in political activities of such nature? Please elaborate.
Irengbam Priyobata: Those who have gone out to study are still Manipuris. All of their family members reside in Manipur, nor has the student changed his residence. It’s just a matter of few years, one day he will go back to his birth place. So, he should participate in the incidents and movements related to Manipur. Even if I leave home, I must save my home from brning if a fire breaks out.
CPDM: Have you taken any initiative/ active role in the ilps movement? If so. Please state it. Did anyone force you to join the agitation or take responsibility of it?
Irengbam Priyobata: I was the monitor of my class in 11th standard. There was a great movement organised by AMSU, DESAM in those days. I led my school in the sit in protests. No one forced me and I was happy to be a part of it. In 2014, I played a major role in the signature campaign on ILPS in Delhi. This time around too, as the President in charge of MSAD, I am in the forefront supporting this movement.
CPDM: what are the reasons for the failure of ilps demand movement?
Irengbam Priyobata: The movement going in the wrong direction, the government orienting it in a way which pleases them and lack of unity.
CPDM: What do you want to say to the government of manipur with regards to the inner line permit system movement?
Irengbam Priyobata: It is a people’s movement. In a place like Manipur, where numerous small and numerically weak indeginous communities exist, saving them and protecting them is very important.
CPDM: Inner Line Permit Ki Khongjang Asiga Mari Leinana Nahakna Manipur Police Amasung Government Forces Singgi Mafamda Kari Hainingbage?
Irengbam Priyobata: In a democracy the people can ask for any sorts of demand and this uprising is not a personal one. The police and we are not enemies. Every Manipuri force has become a faithful dog to their masters. Don’t all of them support the ILPS demand, or, have their uniform made them dogs? The genesis of all is this dog government who have unleashed their other underdogs.
CPDM: What message do you want to convey to the leaders and civil society organisations of ilps movement?
Irengbam Priyobata: It is easier to start a movement than to sustain it till the goal is achieved. Don’t want a temporary movement which lacks goal. Since you have already stepped in, we don’t want anything other than the goal itself and we won’t settle for anything. I want the leaders to set a target and see how far we can move forward. I don’t want the people’s movement to get hazy but wish their voices get shriller without break.
—x—
Read the interview series: CPDM interview-series-why-young-student-activists-wanted-inner-line-permit-system-in-manipur
–> Interview with Haobam Supriya: ILPS Movement is a People’s Movement
–> Interview with Chingtham Balbir: ILPS Movement is not Selected Few
–> Interview with Thoithoi Huidrom: Stop not till the ILPS demand is achieved
–> Interview with Irengbam Priobata: No one forced me to participate in any students movements, I was happy to be part of it
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/cpdm-interview-series-no-one-forced-me-participate-in-any-students-movements-i-was-happy-to-be-part-of-it-irengbam-priyobata/
Exclusive (online) interview carried out by Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur) for KanglaOnline. – Why young student activists wanted Inner Line Permit System in Manipur? – Why are they
Exclusive (online) interview carried out by Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur) for KanglaOnline.
– Why young student activists wanted Inner Line Permit System in Manipur?
– Why are they fearless to speak out their minds?
– How will the judgmental sections interpret their minds: are these students to be seen as misguided or forced to have political views and some democratic actions?
Read the background of this interview series: CPDM interview-series-why-young-student-activists-wanted-inner-line-permit-system-in-manipur
CPDM Interview with Thoithoi Huidrom
Thoithoi Huidrom
Name: Thoithoi Huidrom
M. Sc., Central Agricultural University, Imphal
Age: 28 years old
Address: Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai, Imphal West
CPDM: Please Tell Us Your Name And Surname, Sex And Age.
Thoithoi Huidrom: Thoithoi Huidrom, Female, 28 years.
CPDM: Where Are You From?
Thoithoi Huidrom: Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai, Imphal East.
CPDM: Which class are you in? Please tell us the name of your institute too.
Thoithoi Huidrom: I have completed my M Sc. from Central Agricutlural University, Imphal West.
CPDM: What is the purpose of your education? What ambition in life motivates you to pursue education?
Thoithoi Huidrom: To learn, gain knowledge and wisdom and be an independent person. I would like contributing to the society and bring about positive changes and help build a better environment for the future.
CPDM: What are your views on the Inner Line Permit System movement in Manipur? Do you think it is a right movement? Please share us your thoughts.
Thoithoi Huidrom: It is quite natural and justified for an ethnic minority to feel threatened by the majority. So, for the protection of the vulnerable section ILPS is an effective tool. There is enough evidence to prove that such vulnerable sections will soon be engulfed by the massive influxes of outsiders. This will also result in a major humanitarian crisis. Democracy is a game of numbers, we presently (apparently in the future too) don’t have any say in central politics; we don’t want it to happen atleast in the state. There is a common myth that ILPS is mainly for the labour force from major Indian states. This is simply not true. With a porous international border India shares with her neighbours, many foreigners from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal have entered Manipur illegally, despite the ginormous presence of heavily armed security forces and their unwarranted sweeping powers. With such threats happening in broad daylight, there has to be a law which checks the inflow of foreigners and other immigrants so that the local population is protected. This is why I support ILP system in Manipur.
CPDM: How have you come to know about the Inner Line Permit System? Would you share it with us?
Thoithoi Huidrom: From newspapers and the internet, mainly the social media.
CPDM: Do you think the student community should/ should not participate in the ILPS movement? Please elaborate your statement.
Thoithoi Huidrom: I would here refer to the cliché, “students are tomorrow’s future”. They have every right to decide their future and take part in activities which will affect them the “most” in the near future.
CPDM: You are a woman, and it is a popular notion that women should restrict themselves to the tit bits of family matters and not take active role in politics. What are your views here?
Thoithoi Huidrom: Such are popular myths. But the point is to challenge and prove them wrong. In our society, most women do not confine themselves to the four corners of the wall. Many are bread earners and maintain a fine balance between work and family life. So, if any woman chooses to be in politics she can do well, provided she has the will. But yes, I also conform to the fact that only a microscopic sample of women are in politics today in our society. Breaking the stereotype by a handful can do wonders.
CPDM: Have you taken any initiative/ active role in the ILPS movement? If so. Please state it. Did anyone force you to join the agitation or take responsibility of it?
Thoithoi Huidrom: Yes. I have participated in the sit in protests and rallies out of my own will. I also play the role of educating the people about the urgent need of ILPS in Manipur and why people should support it.
CPDM: Who and where was the movement organised? How was it organised? What form of movement was it?
Thoithoi Huidrom: Locality level women torch bearers were the forerunners of the movement. It was basically a peaceful march.
CPDM: How far has the movement/agitation been successful? Please elaborate.
Thoithoi Huidrom: I won’t call the movement a success until ILP system is implemented.
CPDM: What are the reasons for the failure of ILPS demand movement?
Thoithoi Huidrom: The government which lacks spine and pay no heed either to public interest or sentiment is to be the number one culprit. Secondly, many among us are divided on this issue. The neo-liberals and metro lived elites and intellectuals think that it’s a backward movement against the tide of globalisation and their bookish, practically unfeasible theories, when in fact, globalisation is also one reason as to why there must be some regulation to help preserve and protect the numerically weak ethnic indigenous masses. Thirdly, there are enough sceptics ready to clap hands and say “this is Manipur…nothing can be done. You are only wasting your time.” Such discouragers themselves don’t do anything productive for the society yet fill the minds of people with doubt and render them hesitant to either support or take part in the movement.
CPDM: What do you want to say to the government of Manipur with regards to the inner line permit system movement?
Thoithoi Huidrom: I want the government to understand the reasons for public fear and apprehensions which has led to the present unrest and do the needful from their side. The public has had enough of their wait and watch policy and is now at the brink of explosion. Take necessary actions as soon as possible for the benefit of everyone.
CPDM: What do you want to say to the government and police forces of Manipur on the issue of ILPS implementation?
Thoithoi Huidrom: The savage actions of the Manipur police commandos are beyond words. Protests are an integral part of a democratic government. The excessive and unnecessary use of force on protesting civilians and students is utterly uncalled for. A precious life would not have lost had the commandos just did their duty of controlling the crowd and not “attacking” them as if they were some foreign enemy.
CPDM: What message do you want to convey to the leaders and civil society organisations of ILPS movement?
Thoithoi Huidrom: For the sake of our future generations, our culture, script and traditions, please continue the movement without dismay. The people are with you. Let not our identity be reduced to some research documents. Stop not till the goal is achieved.
—x—
Read the interview series: CPDM interview-series-why-young-student-activists-wanted-inner-line-permit-system-in-manipur
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/cpdm-interview-series-stop-not-till-the-ilps-demand-is-achieved-thoithoi-huidrom/
Exclusive (online) interview carried out by Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur) for KanglaOnline. – Why young student activists wanted Inner Line Permit System in Manipur? – Why are they
Exclusive (online) interview carried out by Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur) for KanglaOnline.
– Why young student activists wanted Inner Line Permit System in Manipur?
– Why are they fearless to speak out their minds?
– How will the judgmental sections interpret their minds: are these students to be seen as misguided or forced to have political views and some democratic actions?
Read the background of this interview series: CPDM interview-series-why-young-student-activists-wanted-inner-line-permit-system-in-manipur
Chingtham Balbir
CPDM Interview with Chingtham Balbir
Name: Chingtham Balbir
Age: 21 years old
Address: Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai, Imphal West
College: Zakir Husain College, Delhi
CPDM: Where are you presently located?
Chingtham Balbir: Delhi.
CPDM: Why did you leave manipur and choose Delhi for your studies?
Chingtham Balbir: The law and order situation in Manipur and the inadequate colleges there were the reasons I came to Delhi for my education.
CPDM: Which class are you in? Please tell us the name of your institute too?
Chingtham Balbir: I have given my 3rd year exam. I study in Zakir Husain oCllege.
CPDM: What is the purpose of your education? What ambition in life motivates you to pursue education?
Chingtham Balbir: I would say to gain knowledge, wisdom and be independent, live at par with others in the society. I want to be someone who can direct the Manipuri society in the right way and so I am getting educated.
CPDM: What are your views on the inner line permit system movement in manipur? Do you think it is a right movement? Please share us your thoughts.
Chingtham Balbir: I don’t know the nitty gritty rules of ILPS and its provisions. But all in all, I support the cry to save the indigenous people and their resources.
CPDM: How have you come to know about the inner line permit system? Would you share it with us?
Chingtham Balbir: I am a member of Manipur Students’ Association Delhi. So, I get the news and knowledge of what happens in Manipur.
CPDM: Do you think the student community should/ should not participate in the ilp movement? Please elaborate your statement.
Chingtham Balbir: Since this is the people’s movement, I don’t think there should be a separate element called “students”.
CPDM: Do you think students who have left manipur for their studies should take part in political activities of such nature? Please elaborate.
Chingtham Balbir: When students of developed places leave their land and attend colleges elsewhere, it can be inferred that they do it because they wish to learn, explore and gain the experience of other developed places. But our Manipuri students’ chapter is a different one. We are forced to migrate to other places because of the prevailing situation. Again, we cannot study freely in other places. We face financial problems and live in tiny rooms like refugees. This is certainly not indicative of people from developed places seeking knowledge. Considering such facts, I think it is necessary to participate in political activities even if we are far away, so that we can make our homeland a better place.
CPDM: Have you taken any initiative/ active role in the ilps movement? If so. Please state it. Did anyone force you to join the agitation or take responsibility of it?
Chingtham Balbir: Yes. In 2014, during the ILPS agitation, the state forces committed excesses to the student agitators. On this a memorandum was submitted to the President of India. We also organised discussions and campaigns in various colleges on this issue.
CPDM: What are the reasons for the failure of ilps demand movement?
Chingtham Balbir: Difference in opinions among the leaders. Lack of proper research in the field and vague demands by the agitators, I think, are the main reasons.
CPDM: What do you want to say to the government of manipur with regards to the inner line permit system movement?
Chingtham Balbir: Politically negotiate the demands of the people.
CPDM: What do you want to say to the government and police forces of manipur on the issue of ilps imlementation?
Chingtham Balbir: Police should perform their duty properly. They should not function like a mercenary forces just for guarding the ministers. They should not pour out their frustrations to the public. The police are for the protection of the people. They must not treat the people as their enemy.
CPDM: What message do you want to convey to the leaders and civil society organisations of ilps movement?
Chingtham Balbir: The movement is not for a selected few. A rigorous discussion of the present movement is recommended and the demands put forward shoud be made crystal clear to the public. Pamphlets and publications can be a means to mobilise the public. Depending merely on public emotions and sentiments to win the movement will be difficult.
—x—
Read the interview series: CPDM interview-series-why-young-student-activists-wanted-inner-line-permit-system-in-manipur
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/cpdm-interview-series-ilps-movement-is-not-for-a-selected-few-chingtham-balbir/
Following is a reproduction of an interview of Dr. Malem Ningthouja(MN) by The Northeast Today(TNT). TNT: You were associated with a number of student organizations of Manipur, which is an
Following is a reproduction of an interview of Dr. Malem Ningthouja(MN) by The Northeast Today(TNT).
Malem Ningthouja
TNT: You were associated with a number of student organizations of Manipur, which is an insurgency-ravaged state. What challenges did you face as a student leader then?
Dr. Malem: Theoretically, neither militarisation nor insurgency is meant to target the students as a category of soft targets. However, there are challenges that a student leader normally faces in a war-field like situation prevalent in Manipur. Those challenges depend on the ideological position that he/ she upholds and the public issue that he / she raises. A student leader that consistently raises democratic voices against State terrorism and destructive projects is a potential target of the State actors. When I was an active student activists, there were consistent threats from the police and the intelligence. There were also threats from some non- state armed groups, whom I suspected to be working in collusion with the State forces.
TNT: What role students can play to bring in integration in a conflict region like Northeast?
Dr. Malem: When commodity relation for profit is the predominant value system above all other forms of human relationship; there are tensions for selfish ends and ‘disintegration’ at various levels in the family, relatives, villages or neighbourhood, community, and so on. In this situations, although the students are being metaphorically depicted as a homogenous section, they too suffer from the same tendency of tensions and disintegrations amongst themselves. This does not meant that there cannot be any kind of tactical ‘integrity’ amongst those who share common ideology and interest. In this regards, I believe, there can be utopian idealism to homogenise the heterogeneous fragments into a permanent unity. This is a fantasy and cannot happen in the real world at the wink of an eye. Where to begin with the unity initiative and how to begin it will involve organisational efforts, which will be resented by others who do not uphold the same agenda. However, those who think that they are in the right path in their own design, they may attempt to integrate more numbers on their side. This is the only role that different sections of students may attempt to do, in their own ways for different agenda.
TNT: Northeast region has been facing an identity crisis for a long time now. What’s your take on that?
Dr. Malem: Identity crisis or any kind of crisis is not an exception to what is being labelled as the Northeast. Since we are ‘peripheral’ part of India, we are like the limbs or the foot that belong to the lower strata of the Varna social order; that is, the Indian rulers do not intend to place us above them, but they need to ‘tame’ us to be obedient to fulfil their geo-strategic and commercial interests in our land. Our land and resources have been expropriated from us to enrich their profit. We are forced to remain silent under militarisation and draconian laws such as the Armed Forces Powers Act. Since we are being treated in this manner for more than six decades; we have realised that our problem is not created by us. On the contrary, it is they who are placing the onus of their problem on us. In this contradiction between ‘us’ and ‘them’; it is for Delhi, that is, the hub of power and brains, to wisely think and extend the warm hands of friendship to solve the problem without causing unwanted bloodshed and humiliation on us. This will be the first step towards resolving what many have blindly interpreted as identity crises in the Northeast.
TNT: What are the issues that students leader can take up in contemporary time?
Dr. Malem: There are couple of issues that require urgent attention. Some of those are: (a) Campaign against violation of human rights by the State actors and non-state criminals; (b) Campaign against drug addiction and for adequate rehabilitation of the addicts; (c) Resistance against population invasion by the outsiders and destructive projects; (d) Resistance against militarisation in the residential areas and places of daily economic activities. (e) Campaign for community economic programmes towards achieving sustainable development and for employment generation; (e) Campaign for expansion of State investment in the medical sector and adequate medical allowances and facilities to the needy persons.
TNT: Do you think that student politics is fading away in the Northeast now?
Dr. Malem: Students are born and brought up in the families, which in turn are the units of a larger society. Anything that affected the society affected the individual and vice versa. In other words, there is an interplay of personal, social and political. Since the rulers behave politically, their actions will be politically either receptive or dissented by different sections; which in totality constitute an overarching political situation, from where an individual can never escape without playing some roles in it.. There are some sayings in Manipuri, “when the house is burning will the student inside it remain reading? When the stomach is hungry and life is threatened will the student affected by it remain reading? Students are the pillar of the society; they must act politically for their future.” To which direction the majority bulk of the students will go is a different issue. Different sections will adopt their own agenda and style of politics. In whatever style or agenda, student politics always persist.
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Questionnaire by Dhiraj Sarma, Senior Editor, Northeast Today.
Responses by Malem Ningthouja, Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur).
Dated July 20, 2015.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/on-students-and-activism-in-manipur/
