Continuous efforts to bring peace in state
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: July 05, 2023 -
WITH appeals for ending the ethnic violence falling on deaf ears, the Union government seemingly in a dilemma on how to contain the violence other than rushing in central armed police forces (CAPF) to prevent further exacerbation of the situation and the confidence-building measures yet to take flight due to exit of individuals and organisations from the MHA-constituted peace committee, the task for the incumbent government in the state is to strive for continuation and resumption of normal chores.
Despite the mounting challenges and the unrest situation affecting all the communities, it should be the responsibility of government to explore all options available instead of citing unstable law and order for the distress caused to the people.
Moreover, with violent incidents mainly occurring in specific locations in the peripheral villages there is no valid reason for allowing disruption of normal chores in the entire state as derailment of economic activities is one of the objectives of elements inimical to the idea of a prosperous Manipur.
Sensing the urgency and yearning of the masses for at-least a semblance of normalcy, if not total peace, which is very unlikely at present, chief minister N Biren on Monday announced a slew of measures, including launch of operation led by the army, dismantling of all bunkers set up and occupied by unauthorised groups of people, and conduct of regular classes from I to VIII standard from July 5 in the hill and valley areas.
As per the official record about a week back, out of 4000 schools in the state, 100 are being utilised as relief camps and 25 occupied by security personnel while 3875 schools are not utilised in anyway.
As substantial numbers of schools are still lying unused maximum efforts must be made to impart education.
On the other-hand, despite the growing distrust between people of both the warring communities and the security forces, entrusting the army to take over the charge of conducting operation to contain subversive activities is also an opportunity for the central force to not only demonstrate that they are here to protect public life and properties but aiso to negate the people’s perception that they aren’t trustworthy.
It is probably for the first time since outbreak of the ethnic violence that meeting of the combined headquarters (unified command) has been convened with the participation of legislators, bureaucrats and top brass of central and state forces.
While it too early to speculate outcome or fruition of discussions and decisions of the meeting, the fact that violation of ground rules of the suspension of operation (SoO) agreement by Kuki outfits was one of the agendas could be construed as official acknowledgement about involvement of armed Kuki outfits amid contentions by Kuki civil organisations that the gunfights which had been occurring in the foothills are between village volunteers and Meetei miscreants.
Among the area of priorities, it is imperative for the administration to create conducive environment for imparting education and facilitating agricultural activities without which the state will face much worse situation than the damage already done by the on-going turmoil.
With no signs of any tangible solution to the crisis, authorities concerned must take into account that there is increasing sense of frustration among the public as is evident from demonstrations held almost every day to denounce failure of both state and central governments to safeguard public lives and properties.
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