Govt’s Imphal advisor waits for Delhi call

The man in question is Phalguni Raj Kumar, a Karnataka cadre IAS officer belonging to the erstwhile Manipur royal family. He told The Indian Express: ‘‘The state had consulted me and informed the Centre that it was ready to spare me. I will be at the government’s disposal whenever it requires my services.’’

The Centre has made no such request because of a technicality. The post of Advisor (Manipur) is supposed to come with the rank of additional secretary but Kumar is not empanelled as an additional secretary at the Centre.

And while the Home Ministry wanted a native Manipuri to handle the peace talks, much water has flown under the bridge since its decision. The Apunba Lup has split in two—the pro-UNLF United Committee of Manipur (UCM) and the pro-PLA All Manipur Clubs Organisation (AMCO)—over the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The UCM wants AFSPA to be repealed totally, but the AMCO is not averse to the AFSPA being replaced by a more humane act.

While the peace process is stuck, there is trouble brewing in the Imphal valley. One major development is the resurgence of the Sana Mahi cult tradition among the Meiteis. An 18th century ruler, Raja Garib Niwas, has converted the community into Vaishnavites and made them give up Sana Mahi worship.

Now, backed by the insurgent groups, some Meiteis want to revert to the Sana Mahi tradition as an assertion of their ethnic identity. They are demanding a Sana Mahi temple within the Kangla Fort, the erstwhile seat of the Manipuri kings.

Meanwhile, the state government wants to convert the Fort into a heritage site to attract tourists. There is also a proposal to relax the Restricted Areas Permit.

A potential conflict is building once again in the Imphal valley. It may need another flare-up to remind the Home Ministry that it needs the services of an Advisor (Manipur).