What was Modi government's role in ending economic blockade in Manipur?
The economic blockade in Manipur that lasted for 139 days has been finally lifted hours before chief minister N Biren Singh's floor test on March 20 to prove his majority in the state Assembly.
A very good morning to all. Finally Manipur is blockade free. Thanks to all who have made it happen. It's a team effort and will always be.
— N Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) March 20, 2017
With that the newly sworn-in BJP government in the state emerged a hero even as chief minister Biren Singh hailed the development as the "first step to usher in an era of peace and stability as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During a campaign rally in Imphal in the run-up to the elections, PM Modi had blamed the now ousted Congress government for not taking necessary steps to end the blockade imposed by the United Naga Council. "No blockade will be allowed once the BJP comes to power,” he had said.
Just after assuming office on March 15, Biren Singh too had stated that his government’s first priority would be to hold talks with the UNC and end the blockade.
The blockade, which started on November 1 last year, was called by the UNC — an umbrella organisation of Naga civil society organisations — in protest against the previous Congress government's decision to bifurcate Naga-dominated areas and create seven new districts. The economic blockade was imposed on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) highways — that serve as lifelines for the landlocked Manipur.
The UNC finally agreed on March 19 to lift the blockade after a "successful tripartite meeting with the new BJP government in the state, the Centre and the Naga outfit".
Although the news came as a sigh of relief to the people, questions were raised over the timing of the outcome of the tripartite meeting.
Here are some of the key points:
1. BJP leaders at the Centre had earlier claimed that if Ibobi Singh steps down, it will lift the blockade in two days — something that made many in the Congress raise fingers over the "BJP's involvement in the blockade". Even in the run-up to the elections, Ibobi Singh had accused the Centre of “not taking action” to help restore order in the state.
According to the then CM, since the central government is in peace talks with the NSCN (I-M), it could easily put pressure on the UNC to call off the blockade and end the people’s suffering. Following Sunday night's development, political observers have also raised concerns whether the BJP government at the Centre deliberately didn't make enough efforts to convince the UNC to lift the blockade, thereby making it an election issue against the Congress government.
 |
| PM Narendra Modi at a rally in Imphal in the run-up to Assembly elections. (Credit: PTI photo) |
2. The latest agreement was reached following "unconditional release of the arrested UNC leaders". A joint statement released after the meeting stated that "all cases related to the economic blockade against UNC president Gaidon Kamei and publicity secretary S Stephen as well as student leaders will be closed".
Kamei and Stephen were arrested by the state police in connection with violent incidents during the blockade on November 25 last year.
The joint statement also said: "To create conducive environment for the democratic process of consultation and dialogue, the UNC will lift the economic blockade with effect from tonight (March 19 midnight)."
3. Although the blockade was launched to oppose the creation of seven new districts out of Naga territory, it is still not known whether the UNC has accepted the creation of such districts by the previous government and it would withdraw other agitations like banning of national projects in Naga-dominated hill districts, government office picketing etc.
Earlier, the UNC had demanded that the Ibobi-led government revoke the order for creation of the new districts.
4. After the meeting, UNC general secretary S Milan, who represented the Naga outfit in the tripartite meeting, said: “The Manipur government acknowledged that creation of the new districts were against past deals with us and assured there will be further dialogues to address our concerns.”
So, does that mean the decision creating the new districts will be revoked?
5. Satyendra Garg, joint secretary in the home ministry, who signed the tripartite agreement on behalf of the Centre, said: “The government of Manipur took note of the grievances of the UNC, including that of them not being consulted while creating the new districts. The UNC has to now frame what exactly their point of view is. Initially they had asked for non- bifurcation of Senapati and Jiribam districts. They will have to clear their stand about the entire seven districts. Manipur government will consider whatever changes they want.”
6. However, when he was asked by local news agencies if the newly elected BJP government in the state would roll back the decision of creating seven new districts, the official said: “At the moment there is nothing like a rollback; there are many stakeholders.”
This is the first time a BJP government is heading the state. Despite being the second largest party — with 21 legislators — in the just-concluded assembly elections, the BJP claimed to have the support of 33 legislators with the help of regional parties — NPF, NPP, LJP — and an independent lawmaker.