Cry to check the inflow of non-locals : Failing to address the core issue
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 20 2016 -
The demand for Inner Line Permit System or a similar mechanism to check the influx of non-locals into the soil of Manipur has given rise to a number of issues which the people can certainly do without.
The intention behind the demand to restrict the inflow of non-local people is understandable but equally worrying is the deep divide that has been created between different communities, especially after the State Assembly passed the three Bills on August 31 last year.
As things stand today, ten people have lost their lives, one in Imphal and nine in Churachandpur district.
What is disturbing to note is the point that the ten people passed away for reasons which are today seen to be diametrically opposite to each other.
If Sapam Robinhood died while demanding the ILP or a similar mechanism to check the inflow of non-local people into Manipur, nine people died in Churachandpur in the mass uprising against the decision of the State Assembly to pass the three Bills on August 31.
The last rites of Robinhood have been performed but the mortal remains of the nine people in Churachandpur are still lying in state with no signs that the remains would be claimed anytime in the near future.
An issue which should have united the people is today threatening to drive wedges with the hill people raising the demand for a separate administration for the hills of Manipur.
The irony cannot run deeper than this and intrinsic in the diametrically opposite stands is the deep divide amongst the people and this is a cause for worry.
If an issue which should have united the people can pull them apart then the situation can only be imagined if the issue was something else.
This is the point which everyone should mull over.
At the same time it is also important for the common people to identify the trouble makers whose only claim to fame has been to fan problems so that they can be pitchforked into the limelight.
Ten people killed and deep divide between different communities, but has any important point been learnt by the people ?
It has been the consistent stand of The Sangai Express that non-local people are bound to arrive when the local people themselves create the vacuum. This is what has been happening for decades.
With the local people unwilling to take up manual labour it is but natural that non-local people will arrive to take up these works and this is what has been happening.
Go to any locality and one is sure to find a good number of unemployed youth who do nothing all day long.
Why can’t these young people take up the work which have been taken up by the non-local people ?
Why can’t local people learn to be more courteous while dealing with customers ?
Months were lost in 2015, during the time when the demand for the ILP was at its peak and when the protest against the three Bills was at its strongest in Churachandpur, but has anyone ever given a thought on why Manipur continue to be such an attractive place for thousands of non-local people ?
Addressing this question is important.
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