Militancy shadow looms large as poll day draws closer

Seven underground groups operating in the state have announced boycott of the ruling government and its allies

Ratnadip Choudhury

Imphal: Even before Manipur goes to ballot, the bullet’s bang is already louder and echoing in the militancy-hit state. A string of bomb attacks and frequent intimidation of candidates in recent months despite the massive security blanket exposes how militancy will cast its shadow over elections, which will send representatives to the 10th Legislative Assembly.

The incumbent Congress government, led by Okram Ibobi Singh, may find the battle tough with the Coordinating Committee (Cor-Com) of seven underground groups (UGs) in the state boycotting the party and its allies. In the last two weeks, since the Core-Com announced its boycott, there have been daily bomb attacks and intimidation of candidates and workers.

Noted political analyst from the state Leihaothabam Saratchandra says, “The UGs will play a larger role in the outcome of elections this time. Though it is too early to conclude whether the UGs will be decisive, I’m sure they will impact elections.”

In the hills, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Isak-Muivah faction—NSCN (IM)—is believed to be campaigning for Naga People’s Front, which is contesting elections in Manipur for the first time. According to NSCN (IM) sources, the Naga rebel outfit, which had declared ceasefire, has imposed an ‘unofficial’ ban on other parties, particularly the Congress.

Recently, two workers of Congress candidate and outgoing Education Minister DD Thaisii, from Karong constituency, and were kidnapped by armed men while grenades were lobbed at five party workers in separate Assembly constituencies in the valley last Tuesday.

Amid rampant attacks on candidates and workers of parties, entry of former militants into the poll fray has added a new angle to the issue. Prominent among such candidates are Mohammed Islamuddin Khan of People’s United Liberation Front (PULF), A Shyamkumar, a former member of the United National Liberation Front and Joykishen Singh who is a former People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak.

Khan a.k.a MI Khan, the leader of the PULF (MI Khan) faction, will debut in politics from the Lilong Assembly Constituency in Thoubal district on the plank of empowering minorities and women. Asked about his entry into politics, Khan said, “I have seen problems that common people faced in our state very closely. Being a former militant leader, I tried to solve these problems with the gun but I realised that politics would be a much more effective way to serve my people.”

On the other hand, the entry of rebels into politics could question the ideologies of their former organisations. According to award-winning filmmaker BM Sunzu, “The entry of the UGs into the fray will show that they are changing their ideologies by being part of the very system they have been against .”

Meanwhile, the Centre is reportedly keeping a close eye on the NSCN (IM) amid reports that the outfit could field some proxy candidates. According to a recent report from the Home Ministry, two top leaders of the group Thuingaleng Muivah and VS Atem met at least six MLAs of Nagaland’s ruling Naga People’s Front, leaders of apex civil society organisation Naga Hoho and others at Niathu Resort, on the outskirts of Dimapur.

With inputs from R K Suresh in Imphal