Grounding ground rules to dust : The not untouchables
- Sangai Express Editorial :: May 21, 2013 -

They are not untouchables. The reasons must be compelling for none other than the Deputy Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio to come out with such a statement.

The 'not untouchables', that the Deputy Chief Minister was referring to are the militants or rebels who have laid down arms before the Government to settle issues across the negotiating table.

In the first place, it is only expected of a Minister to defend the policy pursued by the Government of which he is a prominent leader. This should be one reason.

The 'compelling' reason however may be seen through the prism of dissents raised from different sections of the people over the camp sites or designated camps, which the Government has earmarked to house the surrendered rebels or the armed groups, which have agreed to hold talks with the Government.

While each 'home coming' event may be seen as a step towards the elusive word called 'peace' or 'normalcy', this should not be enough reason to turn a blind eye to the reality that has been played out under the cloak of coming over ground and returning to the 'mainstream'.

The opposition of the people against locating the former rebels in their areas should be seen in its correct perspective.

It is not just some idea plucked from the air and bandied about to mobilise the people against setting up camps near the vicinity.

There are enough stories from the past to lend credence to the apprehension felt by the people.

While each 'surrender' episode may be hailed as an achievement of the endeavour of the Government, it also stands true that quite a number of the 'surrendered' cadres have demonstrated their nuisance values on more than one occasion.

This is one reason why The Sangai Express has on more than one occasion questioned the rationale of holding political dialogues with such cadres who come overground.

Untouchables, they certainly are not and The Sangai Express stand by the usage of this term by the Deputy Chief Minister.

But the facts should be acknowledged too. How strictly are the ground rules followed ? It has been more a case of the ground rules grounded to dust.

The press is perhaps better placed than other institutions (save for the security forces) to understand this.

Statements, purportedly heavy on the ideology of the groups concerned, but cleverly disguised as nothing short of extortion notices continue to be issued by some of these groups.

For reasons that should be obvious to all, these statements do not find a space on the pages of the newspapers published in Imphal.

The monetary demands may come disguised as announcing that the signature of so and so would no longer be valid when it comes to financial transactions. Financial transactions with whom ?

With the banks and financial institutions ? This is a laugh.

Secondly how long a rope is given to the former rebels to move around freely ?

The opposition raised by the people in setting up their camps in their vicinity should provide an insight to this.

'Not untouchables.' Clever use of words and certainly with finesse.

But the need to move beyond mere words need not be overemphasised.