Churachandpurians are now witnessing a new era of yet another ethnic politics – the ‘war of mother tongues’ – after the state government decided to begin operation of Churachanpur Radio Station later this year. This brings back bitter memories of the first clear communal clash (I witnessed with my own eyes) in Churachandpur took place between the Kuki and Paite tribesmen back in 1994-95. Hundreds were brutally murdered with scores injured and thousands rendered homeless, when Paite youths clashed with Kuki youths in this restive district of South Manipur.
The question bothering me since then is: What does that barbaric incident signal? The response I got from many was this: Being a Peite, or a Kuki, or even a Hmar or a Lusei or a Zou can be very tough in Churachandpur, where tribe and ethnicity-based politics seems to be emerging as a new game. But, we are not always what we may look like. My own experience is that regional constructs can also be elusive. Due to my naturally “Naga physical features” – a medium nose, fair, brown eyes, black hair, etc,. – I have often been mistaken to be a Naga, Tibetan, Nepali or even a Mizo when I first ventured out of Churachandpur (Manipur) to mainland India.
I spent two years doing my master degree in south India listening ad nauseam to my ‘Indian friends’ who insisted I was a either a Tibetan with ‘chinky eyes’ or at least a Nepali. Some kids on the Malabar beach even called me a ‘Chinese’! The closest ones tell me that I look like a Manipuri, that too after many tips about my birth place. By the end of the final semester, I concluded: Tibetans, Nepalis and Manipuri were ‘brothers’.
The bottom-line is this: A Paite can look like a Kuki who can look like a Hmar who can look like Manipuri. Confusing; isn’t it? It all depends on who you are comparing with whom.
Aside from my “Tibetan/Naga features,” these days I have other things going against me. I have never felt anything but Hmar. The fact is that I was born from a Hmar mother and a Manipuri father. The close proximity with my mother’s side gives me an identity of being a Hmar since the Kuki-Paite barbaric ethnic war. During those days, the Hmar community was provoked by the Paites (as I learnt from my cousins) to join the ‘ethnic war’. But the Hmar leaders who were known for holding numerous/endless committees (even to this day) did not fall to prey to that war-call. In that sense, I’m proud to be called a Hmar more than ever. The Hmar leaders have shown exemplary courage and maturity in the face of adversity. I have heard many people say, “Oh, the Hmars won’t hurt us/attack/hit back before they called a general committee…” with ridicule; but to me this is a sign of strength rather than weakness. Their love for peace is clearly shown in their attitude towards the other kindred tribes in Tuithaphai valley and elsewhere. One thing I understood from their ‘committee nature’ is that you’ll always have room for negotiations and dialogue with the Hmar leadership no matter what the crisis is.
Back to present: Known collectively as “Chin-Kuki-Mizo group” due to their cultural and linguistic affinity, the ‘Hmar-Peite-Kuki’ troika in Churachandpur, however, are Hmar first, Kuki first and Peite first. All three are then either a Mizo or a Kuki (Kukis now do not want to be under Mizo). Their common link, however, is that they were born Mizo and they will die a Mizo. Sure, a vast majority of Hmars/Peites/Kukis may look down upon each others in ethnic hierarchy and so on. But the solution to Churachanpur’s tribe-based discrimination, or for that matter, to the “Hmar-Kuki-Peite” troika supremacy is neither subjugation nor payback time.
The three communities must see that they have equal share in the growth and development of Churachandpur district. This approach is applicable even in the Congress-led government’s decision on Peite language to be the host link language for Churachandpur Radio Station. If Paihte/Peite language is imposed on the other tribes, situation could go out of hand in Tuithaphai valley.
As an observer and analyst, this shortsighted decision of the state government and the Prasar Bharati team (who weren’t well versed with the ground situation) seems to be taken at the behest of some local politicians who have been trying to project themselves as the ‘messiah’ of their own communities. If a single language is favoured and the other two major spoken languages ignored, the radio station instead of being an instrument of peace and harmony will become yet another ‘weapon’ of hegemony. I won’t be surprised to see another communal flare-up if the decision is implemented.
Another question that has been bothering me is: Can the two other tribes show maturity like the Hmars did and let LOVE be in the ‘AIR’ (All India Radio)?
I love to mingle with all communities and I feel that a peaceful atmosphere is the need of the hour in Tuithaphai Valley. Let us not fall for false promises of politicians irrespective of their ‘war rhetoric’. We – Hmar, Kuki and Paite – are better off together than being alone within the narrow walls of politics and languages.
A tototally agree with you. Some Peite politicians are secretly engineering such schemes.
Hello!
Why do you have to point out Paite’s? All politicians do engineer all kind of schemes for their own tribes and no different either- the paites.the mizos/lusheis,the meiteis,the kukis,the HMARS, etc… you sould stop pointing fingers to a particular tribe.You are no Better ! Remember that.
Firstly,its not “peite”,it is “Paite”.The unfortunate communal clash betwwen brothers of Kukis and Paite happened in 1997 not 1994-1995 as mentioned(..and you witnessed with your own eyes).I think the author is trying to create a rift between the different tribes in CCpur.Did you mean to say “let there be hate” instead of “let there be Love” as mentioned by you.
Dear Author,
After carefully reading your article,I came to a conclusion that you just know just the tip of CCpur.You do not know a thing about CCpur and the peoplewho lives in it even though you claimed you knew CCpur. If you need to know CCpur please let me know,instead of putting wrong informations on a media like ME.
I think Mr Romendro is refering to the Kuki-Naga clash of 1994— Anyways, accordng to me knowledge there were already minor incidents even in some areas betwww P and K. Here the author seems to nt focus on those issues,,he seems to highlight more on the need for respecting each others. Hmars, Kukis, Paites, he said have equal share in CCpur, i welcome such ideas. We should not try to shut ideas
Adam kawnge i awm, O kawiah nge i awm tih hla kha thodo hovin an tawngin anlo sa ve a, Adam hoi na um ham Vo hoia na um tiin anlo sa ve hlap hlap a. Ngaite, a tuk zing ah chuan Gangte hovin "Zani taka na mi mang holu kha namu na U ? (nizan in mi bo zawn kha in muta em?) anti (antia lawm). Chtiang vel mai mai chu ani Churachnadpur AIR chu.
Eu Gangte ho fiamthu i sawi ani maw. An fiamthu i hriat belh duh chuan "Vangam atih ukhu le Paite leh Thoukang umle nopdiek puona e" meaning "Vanram antih pawh saw Paite leh Thosi a awm chuan anuam chuang lo ang' anti alawm…..he he he anlo hre chiang khawp mai
Tumah mah a ka post pen, 13 hours ago kichi, zuau website chihmatak a time le diklo, zuau mah (sic).
@ hallo : I sawi takah Gante ho fiamthu pakhat ka rawn share ve ang e "Vanrama pawh Paite ho le Thosi(mosquito) an awm chuan hremhmun ah ka chhukthla le mai ang an ti"
Regarding the decision for Paite to be the link language please refer a quote from an article below
"That process was finished way back in the early 90s. The government sent an Audience Research Team from Calcutta which toured the impact area and conducted an empirical investigation. Based on their findings, the Team recommended that Paite be the host-language. Interestingly, the Team also recommended that the station be called ‘AIR Lamka’ in deference to local opinion. We have now heard numerous objections to Paite being the host language, but none of the objectors ever claimed that the Audience Research Team were unjustifiably biased in favour of Paite, or that they wilfully violate the guidelines for determining the host language. All the objections came after the fact. Later on, the Manipur government duly recommended Paite to be the host language (September 19, 2000) and on November 6, 2000, Dr. RAP Rao, Director (Policy), Prasar Bharati Directorate General-AIR issued a one-line order which read: ‘the Link Language broadcast by AIR Churachandpur will be Paite’. "
I totally agreed to Ruata.
Where there is a Paite, there will always be a problem.
They are the most clever, evil minded person in this world.
@Robert – Why do you give such a wrong information on this trusted website, the Government never sent an Audience Research Team in regards to AIR Churachandpur.
why sould people of majority will not against, they cant pronounce the words properly
eg: All India Radio Churachandpur, In Paite dialect All India Ledio Chulachandpul.
like this, all people will get wrong information or news in future.
dear cunt, mind ur language
come guys, its just a case of jealousy and envy against the Paites. cool down bros and sis,,,,,,,, "a show of jealous and envy is an insult to oneself" .don't be losers trying to block someone's advantage.
Dive and Rule Policy!
Inhau suh u , Meitei ho an lawm lutuk ange!