Invite or summon to Raj Bhavan Scripting confusion
|
‘Anticipated visit of a VVIP.’ Suddenly ‘anticipated’ is the term which has gained currency and not without reason, for here is a case of a person deemed to go one or two steps up from the understanding of a VIP, and this has come about after Manipur went up in flames more than two years ago on May 3, 2023. The anticipated visit also comes close on the heels of two very significant developments in Manipur, the extension of the Suspension of Operations pact with the Kuki-Zo militants as well as the announcement that the National Highways have been re-opened and the debates and arguments that have followed following the announcements. And it is amid the debates and arguments that Raj Bhavan called all the BJP MLAs for a meeting on September 6. A sort of throwing open the gate of the Raj Bhavan to the ‘Who is Who’ in the House of 60 for the invite was not even extended to the MLAs supping with the BJP led Government at Imphal, such as MLAs from the Naga People’s Front. Making it all the more interesting is also the fact that none of the ‘late’ comers into the BJP fold, the MLAs who switched side to the BJP from the JD (U), were invited to the ‘elite do’ at the Raj Bhavan. A meeting held strictly with those who are ‘genuine saffron’ and ahead of the anticipated visit of the VVIP. Even as the focus of the people is on the proposed visit, the Zomi Council, Kuki-Zo Council and the armed groups under the KNO and UPF have come out with their own interpretations of what re-opening the National Highways is all about. To these groups of people or organisations, the National Highways have always been left opened and the safety and security of anyone travelling on the highway is the concern of the security personnel and capped this off with the observation that the buffer zones should be respected. Opening the highways is not endorsement of unrestricted movement between Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas, is the stand of the groups under the SoO pact, a point which was earlier spelt out by the Kuki-Zo Council as well as the Zomi Council. Not surprising that these CSOs and the armed groups should talk in the same language, a language which basically goes against what Delhi had said. Interesting developments in the run up to the visit of the VVIP and the extension of the SoO pact seems to have given enough ammos to some to train their guns on the BJP MLAs, for remember it was under the BJP led Government at Imphal that a resolution was taken in the Assembly to urge the Centre to abrogate the SoO pact in 2024. This came about after the then Cabinet of the BJP led Government had decided to withdraw from the SoO pact with some outfits. It is amid this that preparations are underway to roll out the red carpet when the VVIP comes visiting and ideally the question that should be doing the round now is, what Manipur can expect from the visit. Moreover what case is Manipur ready to present to the VVIP. Or should Manipur merely listen to what the VVIP says ? Or will it be a case of Manipur not given the opportunity to present her case ?
This is about the anticipated visit of the VVIP and Manipur must roll her sleeves up to present herself in the way it befits the high profile visit. And in the process it is also important for Manipur to take note of the manner in which the seeds of confusion have been sown following the announcement of Delhi. National Highway was always opened but yet at the same time, the buffer zone should be respected. In other words reopening the highways must not be taken as an endorsement or unrestricted movement between Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas, is the line maintained by the SoO groups under the UPF and KNO. Not surprisingly this gives one the distinct and uncomfortable thoughts about how the ‘free movement from March 8’ call of Union Home Minister was so unceremoniously tossed aside by the Kuki-Chin-Zo militants. To many keen observers it is only Delhi which seems to have come out tops from the rounds and rounds of talks with people from either side of the clash diivide to take Manipur to the path of normalcy, for here is a case of a perfect report card to show that it has done something remarkable, that is extend the SoO pact and get the highways opened. But the fact is, Manipur is in a state of uncertainty. The reality is, as long as the SoO groups continue to enjoy a sense of impunity and pampering, they will continue to decide who plies on the highway and mark territories as ‘ours and theirs.’
This is about the anticipated visit of the VVIP and Manipur must roll her sleeves up to present herself in the way it befits the high profile visit. And in the process it is also important for Manipur to take note of the manner in which the seeds of confusion have been sown following the announcement of Delhi. National Highway was always opened but yet at the same time, the buffer zone should be respected. In other words reopening the highways must not be taken as an endorsement or unrestricted movement between Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas, is the line maintained by the SoO groups under the UPF and KNO. Not surprisingly this gives one the distinct and uncomfortable thoughts about how the ‘free movement from March 8’ call of Union Home Minister was so unceremoniously tossed aside by the Kuki-Chin-Zo militants. To many keen observers it is only Delhi which seems to have come out tops from the rounds and rounds of talks with people from either side of the clash diivide to take Manipur to the path of normalcy, for here is a case of a perfect report card to show that it has done something remarkable, that is extend the SoO pact and get the highways opened. But the fact is, Manipur is in a state of uncertainty. The reality is, as long as the SoO groups continue to enjoy a sense of impunity and pampering, they will continue to decide who plies on the highway and mark territories as ‘ours and theirs.’