The word “foreigners” used to come out in Manipur when there is a minor problem in the community/Society.I want every intellectual, academician, educationist, historian, sociologist, philosopher to understand the word “foreigners”. Here in Manipur, Meiteis, Kukis, Nagas are not the foreigners at all. If Nagas say Kukis are foreigners, they are calling themselves as foreigners. If Kukis call Nagas as foreigners, they are also calling themselves as foreigners. Similarly, if Meiteis say/call Kukis & Nagas as foreigners they called themselves as foreigners in Manipur.The word “foreigners” should not be proceeded from the mouth of the intellectuals, social leaders, educationists, historians, leaders of students’ organisations, philosophers,etc.as it is not applicable to Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas who lived/ settled in Manipur before the first World War and the second World War.
Let me share my view points in connection with the word “foreigners” which Meiteis and Nagas used when there is a small crisis in Manipur. I am not a historian, but a world eminent educationist and philosopher. During the Naga Kuki ethnic feud in the Hill Districts of Manipur, Nagas called Kukis as nomadic tribe or foreigners, that proved that they themselves called as nomadic tribes or foreingers. That was a tragic point on the parts of Nagas and Kukis of Manipur. During those days(1992-1994), Meiteis clapped their hands and never tried to make peace among his two brethrens who settled in the Hill Districts of Manipur. Now, when the ATSUM or ANSAM used to call bandh, strike or economic blockade due to poor and weak administration of the state Government for not fulfilling their promises, the word “foreigners” which is unwanted & illegal used to come out again in the newspapers.This type of word should not be used by any community in Manipur as we are all genuine citizens of Manipur as well as India. If we call/say foreigners to one another, then we are all foreigners, but Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas of Manipur are by nomeans foreigners.
Again,when we see the literal meaning of the word “foreigners” Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas who settled/lived in Manipur are not to be called foreigners. Because, right from our fore-fathers before WW-I & WW-II,we lived together peacefully with love. If we say to one another as foreigners,Yes,wea are all foreigners,because before we came to Manipur or we settled in Manipur, we were in China,Myanmar(Burma) and some other States or Countries of the World.It is to be noted and understood by all sensible citizens of Manipur that only those who came and settled in Manipur from other countries of the world, after the World War-II,after India got freedom,can be called foreigners.Now, in our context,The word foreigners can not be applicable to Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas in Manipur. So, we should stop using the unseemly word in the Society/Community. This bad word which is not applicable to the three communities should be removed amongst the Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas in Manipur.
When I look at the dictionary, The word foreigner refers to one who is coming from other country and introducing himself as outsider.This word cannot be applied to Meiteis,Kukis and Nagas of Manipur who have settled more than hundreds of years in Manipur.As we use the word “foreigner” off and on when there is a small crisis in the state due to poor/weak administrations of the rulers of Manipur,I have a great tragedy to hear such illegal and disliked word as a peace-lover and educationist. None of us is foreigner in Manipur.For instance,if Kukis or Nagas are coming from other countries of the world, before 30 years or 50years back, they can be called foreigners. But it was not so at all. We, Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas lived together before hundreds years back. Even those peoeple who came from different States of India cannot be called foreigners,because they are from Indian States and Citizens of India as we are also citizens of India.
And, if people/citizens of Delhi or Karnataka or West Bengal or Andhra Pradesh or Assam,etc call the people of North East India as foreigners, they call themselves as foreigners. Citizens of India should not call another genuine citizens of India as foreigners in our country.Living together in peace and harmony is what we need today in this Scientific age/Computer age.In the past, Meiteis were having administration under the leadership of King in Manipur,Kukis as Chief and Nagas as Khulakpa in Manipur.Today Kingship of Meiteis was abolished but the Chiefship and Khulakpa of Nagas are still existing in Manipur. If Meiteis used to say Kukis and Nagas are foreigners, then the reason must be that the Valley portion of Manipur (consisting of 4 Districts) is what they would like to call Manipur as it was merged to India according to Shillong accord by the King of Manipur. Hills Districts(consisting of 6 Districts) were not merged to India as per Shillong Accord signed by the king of Manipur but even Hill Districts are called Manipur.
Therefore,I appeal to Meitei brethrens not to use the word foreigners in our state as you are the majority comunity who is to make peace between your two brethrens who settled in the Hill Districts of Manipur.In my point of view,the use of word “foreigners” means sowing the “Seed of enmity and hatred”.So,this word should not be used by every sensitive citizen of Manipur in future.Let there be peace and tranquility in our State amongst the communities so as to live in peace and harmony.I once again,appeal to all the social leaders,Political leaders,Rulers of the State,Leaders of Students Organisations and Tribe Leaders not to use in our State in future. Let us remember that we are still lagging behind other States of India in all round development.Let us remove corruption, bribery and enmity in our society in the State and march forward together to work together in one accord for the development of Manipur State.
Kukis are by no means foreigners and Nagas are also not foreigners and even Meiteis are also not foreigners in Manipur. We are all Manipuris and we lived here in Manipur State before hundred years back.What we shoul keep in mind is that we should call ourselves as Manipuris. I have not seen foreigners amongst the Meiteis,Kukis and Nagas in Manipur. Let us not use inflicting word(s) in the newspapers or in our mouths while delivering lectures. There is no foreigners amongst the Meiteis,Kukis and Nagas in Manipur. They are the genuine settlers and citizens of Manipur and India before hundred years back.
Ph.D, D.Litt, D.D & KC is a well-known columnist of Manipur State,eminent educationist,academician,sociologist and scientist. He can be reached at drhhmate@gmail.com
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