The 100-plus days old “economic blockade” in poll-bound Manipur, enforced by the United Naga Council (UNC), was triggered by the state government’s decision to create seven districts. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of the Congress tells The New Indian Express’ Prasanta Mazumdar that the decision was taken in the larger interests of different sections of the society. Excerpts:
Why did your government decide on the creation of seven districts when the polls were just round the corner?
The question should be why so much delay! It was a long pending issue. Previous governments couldn’t take concrete decision in this regard though they had agreed to do so in principle. We knew that some people with vested interests would stand against the decision and we had been waiting for the perfect timing for the declaration. In a democratic setup, we have to work in the larger interest of the state and not at the whims and fancies of a few with vested interests. You can gauge the mood of common people, both in the hills and valleys, from the fact that every community celebrated it with traditional dances and cultural events. The celebrations ended only when the frustrated NSCN-IM’s (Naga insurgent group) issued a diktat.
Was the decision aimed at gaining mileage in the polls?
No, never. We knew that we will be losing some of our members (some Congress MLAs had defected to other parties including BJP in the wake of the blockade). See the case of Kamjong which was earlier a part of Ukhrul district. One had to first go to Imphal to reach Ukhrul district headquarters. It would take at least two to three days just to get a signature of the district magistrate. It is the same with Jiribam. People have to come crossing hilly terrains of 122 kms to reach the district headquarters which would take two to three days. We created the seven districts to ease out such problems and help the public.
Why did the government not consult all stakeholders, including Nagas?
You are wrong in asking that. We tried to consult, but they were not ready. The UNC had already declared they had severed all ties with the Manipur government. And we can’t sacrifice the welfare of the state in the interest of a desperate few.
Will Congress take the blame for people's sufferings due to the blockade?
Let the people of Manipur decide it. But remember, the rest of Manipur is ready to bear the sufferings of the blockade instead of any rollback in our decision. See, who are against the decision and who are in favour of it!
By not using paramilitary forces to clear the highways, did the Congress want to prolong the blockade to build an anti-Naga sentiment in Imphal Valley for political gains in polls?
We exercised maximum restraint to avoid any collateral damage. We have been waiting for better sense to prevail. We know their plan and their intentions. We will not fall into their trap.
How do you weigh your rival Irom Sharmila? Will she be able to put up a decent fight to you?
Sharmila is a much-hyped candidate in my constituency. Please wait for the election results and you will see.
Can the BJP end your 15-year regime? If not, why?
The BJP is fighting this election with all their might and resources of the Central government. The central ministries come here almost every day trying their best to win the elections. The people of Manipur would have been very grateful to them if they had come with some new projects or special packages for the state. They come here only to spread hatred, to preach false propaganda, to make empty promises and to divide us. Whenever there is a BJP government at the Centre, Manipur burns. Remember the first NDA government which extended the NSCN-IM ceasefire beyond Nagaland and which led to the loss of 18 innocent lives. The angry people of Manipur burnt down the state Assembly hall because the BJP government didn’t honour the resolutions passed by the Assembly to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state. And as soon as the Modi government came, they signed the Framework Agreement to settle the Naga issue. The contents of the agreement are still kept in the dark while the BJP and the NSCN-IM know it. It shows their arrogance and utter disrespect of the sentiment of the people of Manipur and the economic blockade which they have jointly imposed upon the state. The people of the state will give them a befitting reply.
Your reaction on BJP's charge that you are trying to widen the divide between Meiteis and Nagas...
No one can weaken the centuries-old relations among the different ethnic communities of the state. The only problem is that the BJP is trying to play a dirty game to divide the state on ethnic and communal lines. They are playing with fire and they will realise their mistake only after the election results are out. History will never forgive this party for the blunder it committed. My government is bridging the gaps while the BJP is harping on communal lines.
What about the chances of your son Surajkumar?
You better wait for the election results. (The London-educated Surajkumar, 28, is contesting from Khangabok. His mother, Landhoni, who won from here in the past two elections, made way for her son).
Is Congress on course for a fourth term?
Definitely.