Not encouraging or discouraging : Thoughts before the talk
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: September 15, 2014 -
Not very novel. Not exactly encouraging yet at the same time, it would be wrong to say that it is discouraging.
The State Government has already demonstrated that it is ready to talk to the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System and perhaps nothing illustrates this better than the decision to release all the members of the Committee who were earlier rounded up by the police.
It is in line with the spirit of the State Government that the student wing of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has decided to lift the curfew imposed on non-locals.
This much is clear. What however is not clear and still lies in the realm of speculation is which direction the wind will blow once the talk starts.
What should be clear to either side is the plain fact that regardless of the outcome of the talk, what is important is that the two sides have agreed to talk and this is what is encouraging.
Agreeing to come to the negotiating table is but the first step towards finding a solution to the issue at hand and this is a point that should be borne in the minds of everyone.
A more than enough indication that it takes two hands to clap.
In the first place the demand to implement the Inner Line Permit System was raised on behalf of the people and it is only right that the people as a whole come around to the idea that the proposed talk is on their behalf, regardless of the outcome.
An important point which no one should overlook. More than enough reason why nothing should be done to rock the boat.
It is also important for the two parties to approach the negotiation table with an open mind.
The opportune moment to keep in mind that the demand for Inner Line Permit System is not against any community. Reading it otherwise would amount to missing the woods for the trees. Sanity must rule the coming days.
In as much as the demand to implement the Inner Line Permit System is not against any community, it is also equally important to remember what the Association of Premier State College Senior has had to say.
As seniors of the society the Seniors was bang on target in stating that the demand to implement the Inner Line Permit System should not be read along communal line.
It is not a case of kicking out any genuine Indian from the soil of Manipur, but is a question of survival of all.
To the credit of the Seniors, it stayed clear of all rhetoric and instead concentrated on what over crowding would mean to the people and gave it an academic interpretation.
What however should be kept in mind and which members of the JCILPS should not overlook when they sit down for a talk with the Government is to address the question of why Manipur has such a huge pull factor.
Brushing aside this point would be similar to not addressing a core point of the issue.
A question every Manipuri should raise and search inward for an answer and then act accordingly.
Apart from putting in place a legislation to stop the flow of human migration to the place, it would do good for all to realise that as long as the people of Manipur continue to leave a huge void, then others would automatically step in to fill in that void.
A phenomena which is not uncommon here. Ever wondered why there are no native barbers or washermen in the place ?
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