Imphal, Jan. 12: NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah’s statement that Ukhrul in Manipur does not belong to Meiteis has evoked sharp reactions from student organisations and political parties in the state. In a grim reminder of the many thorny issues that lay strewn on the path to peace, they have termed the statement as “communal”, saying such utterances indicated that “Muivah’s fight is against the Meiteis”.
President of the Democratic People’s Party Khaidem Mani today said the statement reeked of “communal hatred” and Muivah could be arrested under Section 153 of the IPC for a remark that might lead to a communal flare-up.
“Muivah may be jailed for three years with fine,” Mani said.
The DPP, a partner in the Secular Progressive Front ministry, was formed by anti-ceasefire agitators.
After meeting deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani on Friday, Muivah had told newsmen: “The Nagas have been living on that territory belonging to the Nagas. There is no question of forcefully living on land that does not belong to the Nagas...I lived in Ukhrul, I was born there, my forefathers were born and lived there. This land belongs to us. We are not living in the land of the Meiteis.”
Mani said such a statement pregnant with communal feelings was not what the people had expected from Muivah.
“We had initially welcomed the Naga peace talks because we thought they were trying to find a solution to the problem of Naga insurgency. Now it is increasingly clear that Muivah’s fight is against the Meiteis. Hence, the ongoing talks should be halted immediately,” Mani said.
He said the people of Manipur should not allow themselves to be “swayed by such communal remarks”.
Reacting to Muivah’s claim, the youth front of the DPP, too, said, “Muivah’s Naga cause has now degenerated into an anti-Meitei movement. Muivah’s war with the government of India may now be over, but he should not even contemplate waging a war against the Meiteis.”
It said as Muivah has come to grasp the political realities and having accepted an Indian passport, “he should be realistic enough to acknowledge that Ukhrul is a part of Manipur and will continue to be so”.
The Opposition BJP said: “It is true that he (Muivah) was not born on the territory of the Meiteis but it is also true that he was born in Somdal village in Ukhrul district. No one can deny this fact.”
The CPI, also a partner in the Secular Progressive Front ministry, said when Nagas declared “independence” a day ahead of India’s freedom day, Nagas residing in Ukhrul’s Phadang village, at a meeting, not only ruled against the declaration, but also decided to remain under the administration of Manipur.