The Kuki-Zo civil societies, including KIM and ITLF, have called upon the people to refrain from contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha election while allowing people to cast their votes. Even as they themselves must have waited with a sense of nervousness on the last day of nomination, it emerged that no Kuki-Zo has filed their candidature. In a sense, there are certain positives that can be seen from this. For one, it shows that inspite of so much bickering that happens within, especially those that arises from preferences over nomenclature, the people still listen to the leaders. The fact that no one filed nomination shows that somewhere down the line, our people are still united; that organisations are still respected; and even the armed groups are ‘willing’ to go by people’s choice. On the other hand, among the Nagas, it is an open secret that NSCN- IM supports Zimik, the NPF candidate. While Alfred commands substantial support among the learned, his own kinsmen seem to be baying for his blood looking at the way his meetings have been disrupted. There is also a Zeliangrong candidate and a Poumai candidate. So, the cosmetic bandage that covers the so called Naga family will be seen fighting out not so much for Naga future but their own tribe’s honour, glory and self respect. It will surely hasten the increasing divide within them. That even the NSCN-IM could not achieve enforcing one single candidature speaks of the level of control it now has on the Nagas of Manipur. The bonhomie of the Tangkhuls and Meiteis in recent years would also increasingly make other Naga tribes uncomfortable. So, in a sense Kuki-Zo CSOs achieved what NSCN-IM couldn’t and the Nagas must be secretly wondering and admiring the unity of the Kuki-Zo.
However, looking from a critic’s point of view, the question that emerge is: If we are not contesting, why bother to vote at all. There has been well known history of election boycotts in India, especially the Naga’s boycott of elections in 1952 and 1956. The call of Kuki-Zo CSOs to boycott contesting while giving freedom to vote has had mixed reactions. There are those that feel that if we are not contesting, there should be a clear boycott of the elections and no voting should be allowed in Kuki-Zo areas. Perhaps the Inpis are also afraid that calling for a full boycott might invite unnecessary clash with the Government of India which would forcefully try to ensure that elections happen. There are others that questions the very idea of boycotting at a time when we desperately need a voice in the Indian parliament. Besides, they argue, delimitation is going to take place in 2026 and not having a Kuki-Zo MP to speak for us might put our future at great risk. Therefore, the attempt of Pu WL Hangsing to file his nomination, they believe, was the right step though Hangsing himself has not pushed it further out of respect for the civil societies.
There can be various reasons why the CSOs gave a call to not file nomination. For one, we are in the middle of a war, an ethnic cleansing programme. All our energies, resources, hearts and minds, should be focused on strengthening our defenses to face any eventuality. Secondly, with so many Kuki-Zo displaced and scattered in different places of Manipur and in the country, the actual number of people who can actually vote would greatly decrease. Thirdly, elections bring out the basest instincts, and if doors of nominations were opened, no one knows how many people would have filed their nomination. This would result in contests and we Kuki- Zo haven’t learned the art of friendly fights. We go all out and an all-out contest at such a time as this would greatly divert our focus from the greater threat that looms in our frontlines. Lastly, ‘winability’ might also be a question, and perhaps, choosing the lesser of the evils might be the game-plan.
The Kuki-Zo CSOs dictation has not been without its fair share of challenges as mentioned above. In Sadar Hills, the office of KSO and Kuki Inpi was locked by a group never heard of before. The so called Border Protection Force should have concerned themselves more with the frontline defence if it actually exist but they seem more like a front of some groups. Here, one must question the Kuki-Zo CSOs too. When they said all stake holders were consulted, was it only those that are in Lamka? Or if the other districts were also consulted, was it a wide array of groups? While it might be difficult to consult every Tom, Dick and Harry, one short coming that is often seen is that we seem to be averse to dealing with the elephant in the room, i.e. the underground groups. Moreover, healthy debates, differences of opinions and democratic way of persuasions which are much more difficult but inclusive are often ignored for the short-cuts. Even the Inpis act like the Undergrounds and the attitude of the undergrounds are but an extension of the Village Chiefs. Much before we think of reforming the Chieftainship system, we have to seriously learn to dialogue, to consult and to encourage democratic practices.
One group that would have greatly missed an opportunity this time was Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA). It might have been their best shot to gain national limelight whether they win or not. They might have sacrificed the opportunity for the greater good.
Lastly, when the war began, Kuki-Zo civil societies found it difficult to cope with the enormity and severity of the war that was unleashed upon us. They have been found wanting at tmes inspite of their best efforts. Perhaps, this election is a good time to redeem their lost ground, to earn back the respect, and also guide the people wisely at the crucial moments so that our generations doesn’t have to pay for our folly today. Our people have listened to their call for boycott. We are waiting their further directions, and they better make wise ones.
Thingkho Le Malcha (TLM) is a traditional method of communication used to send out messages across the Kuki hills during the Anglo-Kuki War,1917-1919... more
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