IMPHAL: Christmas this year for the tribals in Manipur will never be like before.
In a way, this Christmas is going to be in the shadow of politics that is being played in the run-up to Assembly elections in the State early next year. The polls will be fought amid a thick overlap of ethnic tension, arising out of a blockade and a counter-blockade and resultant bout of violent incidents.
Ayung Zingkhai, a Naga woman settled in Imphal, said her family would not take the risk of travelling to their native place in Ukhrul, which is Manipur’s one of the Naga-majority hill districts.
“We usually slaughter pigs well ahead of the celebration. But because of the prevailing tense situation, we have lost the spirit of Christmas this year. We may not even celebrate it at all,” the 23-three-old, who just finished her masters from Bengaluru, told Express.
“Given the recent attack on vehicles of the Nagas in Imphal East district, we cannot risk our lives by travelling. We are all scared,” Ayung said.
Her friend, Peimeiwon, who also finished her masters this year from Manipur University, said it would be a ‘dark and dull’ Christmas for those living in Imphal as well as those living in the hills.
“Usually, we celebrate Christmas together with friends and relatives in the hills. As there is a lot of confusion around, we have shelved our plan of travelling to native place,” she said.
Alleging breakdown of law and order, she said she stood for a change.
“There is no law and order in Manipur and I blame the State government for the situation. I want a change in the government,” she categorically said.
Ashing, a fellow Naga, said the Centre should immediately intervene in the affairs of Manipur and make the festival of Christmas peaceful.
“We say we live in the world’s largest democracy. What kind of democracy is it in Manipur where students, returning home from the metros to celebrate Christmas with family members, are targeted for no fault of theirs? We feel that we are living in some foreign country,” he added.
The tribals, settled in Imphal Valley, usually celebrate Christmas with near and dear ones in their villages in the hills. This year, they are all stuck up in the valley in the wake of the tension. Similarly, the Meiteis (Manipuris), who are predominantly Hindus, are stranded in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur hills due to an economic blockade enforced
by the influential Naga organisation United Naga Council (UNC), on two National Highways that traverse Naga areas.
Manipur is like a football stadium where the playground is Imphal Valley and the galleries are the State’s hills. The Meiteis are in a large majority in the valley while various tribal communities, mainly Nagas and Kukis, are settled in the hills. The Nagas are settled on most of Manipur’s land.
So, if a blockade, enforced on the two National Highways, prevents goods-laden vehicles from plying to the valley, a counter-blockade in the valley chokes supplies to the hills as goods are ferried from the valley to the hills. That is the reason why both sides are hit.