Imphal's attempt to buy peace : Breathing space for Ukhrul
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: September 09, 2014 -

Not that it would bring back to life the two persons who were shot dead in police firing on August 30 at Ukhrul, but it is more than indicative that the State Government has taken its first few tottering steps towards buying peace or rather soothing the hurt psyche of the people of Ukhrul and the United Naga Council.

From July 12 to August 30 to September 5 and September 7, life seems to be moving at a rather speedy pace.

In between July 12 and August 30, there were certainly some instances which gave shape to the present situation that Manipur finds itself in today.

July 12 was the date in which the Vice Chairman of the Ukhrul District Autonomous Council, Ngalangzar Malue was shot dead and September 30 was the date in which two protestors were killed in police firing, besides inflicting injuries on scores of others.

The July 12 incident did leave a deep impact on the people and the district headquarters of Ukhrul in that the State Government responded swiftly and decided to impose prohibitory orders under CrPC 144 and post police commandos and IRB personnel at Ukhrul amid much opposition, particularly from the United Naga Council.

After the August 30 incident, the United Naga Council acted swiftly and imposed a ban on Naga inhabited areas as well as a ban on vehicular movements on the National Highways connecting Manipur to the rest of the world.

Not surprisingly reports of the killing of the two young men as well as the bandh on the National Highways reached the office of the Prime Minister and Delhi responded in good time by despatching its men to take stock of the situation here.

A productive move, one would say for the Centre more than made it clear that banning vehicular movements on the National Highways and putting a stop on all construction works of Centrally funded projects would go against the interest of the Nation.

It was amid this stand off that the State Government appeared to have taken the first step towards rebuilding or repairing the burnt bridge.

In a welcome departure from its earlier stand of sticking to its guns, the State Government went ahead and decided to revoke the prohibitory order imposed under Section 144 of the CrPC.

Maybe not exactly falling in line with the demand of the United Naga Council but this is more than indicative that Imphal may have understood that continuing with such a diktat would not serve the interest of the place and the people.

It is another matter that the State Government is yet to announce the withdrawal of State forces such as the police commandos and IRB personnel from Ukhrul.

However it is significant to note that after the August 30 incident, most of the police commandos had been kept in police barracks.

It is still unclear how the United Naga Council and the people of Ukhrul would respond to the move of the State Government, but it is significant to note that Imphal has taken the first few steps towards defusing the situation.

At least the revocation of the prohibitory orders would prove to be a breather for the people of Ukhrul, who have been living under a state of uncertainty all these months.

It would also be in the interest of all for the United Naga Council too to acknowledge the steps taken up by the State Government.