Mum in the face of a human tragedy : Deafening silence of the Govt
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: Ocotber 25, 2014 -

The silence of the State Government is deafening. Maybe it will need more than the death of a young boy and a woman to jolt its sense awake.

In the night of October 22, a young boy was charred to death when a speeding car rammed into a shop which housed a huge quantity of petrol while a woman died later the same evening in the hospital.

The mother of the deceased child is battling for life at the Intensive Care Unit of Shija Hospital, while at least 12 persons are staying at the relief camp put up by locals near the place where the mishap took place.

A human tragedy it is.

Yet despite the huge loss suffered by the family members of the late child and the dead woman, there is as yet nothing to suggest that the Government has taken note of the tragedy which has taken a heavy toll on human lives.

Good thing that all are not as insensitive as the Government.

Already the locals have pitched in and helped in opening the relief camp, while the Nilakuthi post of 30 Assam Rifles has chipped in with Rs 10, 000.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church too has stepped in to help the affected people with 10 bags of rice.

Call it neighbourly aid or assistance but it is nonetheless significant to note that the BSF camp of Koirengei too have forwarded Rs 15,000 as aid.

It is not the amount, but the help extended by private individuals and organisations which together have contributed an amount of Rs 1.7 lakh for the affected people, which is significant.

Equally heart warming too is the news that the local MLA, N Biren too has chipped in with Rs 50,000 and 12 bags of rice.

More than an indication that when the Government fails to act, the people will on their own accord.

The innate goodness of mankind coming to the fore and there is nothing to stop this.

So far there is nothing to suggest that the State Government has taken note of the tragedy that has unfolded at Koirengei.

The least that the Government can do is to take note of the willing help and assistance that has come from the people and follow their example.

An indifference that is hard to stomach. To be sure the affected people will come back on their feet but this is not the way in which a Government should be functioning.

All possible assistance should have been forwarded the very next day of the unfortunate incident. A more sensitive Government would have delivered a telling impact.

Sure there is no way that the dead can be brought back to life, but the Government should have at least demonstrated that it cares.

And this care and concern can be demonstrated by taking up some corrective measures.

It was a tragedy, no doubt about it, but in many ways it was also the right time for the Government to announce certain measures on how to curb stocking of fuel in private residences or shops.

Time to crack the whip against all those engaged in the unauthorised sale of fuel.

The inaction of the Government may just give enough room to raise the question of whether those in positions of power do have a stake in illicit sale of fuel.