Priorities remain haywire

Free Thinker *

In a strife-torn region, the leaders are supposed to come forward to douse the fire first and stop the conflict; subsequently, it should be their relentless endeavor to provide relief and rehabilitation to the victims of unfortunate incidents. Then parleys for peace should go on simultaneously with the warring factions. Things are moving in that direction but in a haphazardly slow motion.

Majority of people are not happy when local leaders remain politicking when the State is burning. Intelligentsia knows that they are completely hijacked by a notorious game of power politics but they remain helpless. Telling the world that this is the repercussion of so many intriguing issues of the State put us all now in a Catch-22 situation.

A feeling inadvertently enters the mind that in a democracy only number matters. If you have a huge population, certainly you will have more MPs. If you have a good number of representatives you have more say in a democratic set-up.

If the entire North East is combined together, we will have more number of MPs and we shall have a big say in Dilli. Shall we go for the political integration of the entire NE region (political body)? – so that we have a bigger lobby.

The most unfortunate part of our politics is that we have started doing politics on ethnic lines and communal lines – that is very dangerous. We must remember that we have had Naga Chief Ministers and even a Muslim CM. Now the chance of having a Kuki CM sounds difficult. Things are so badly damaged by partisan politics. These days harmony is missing, only hatred is ruling the roost.

Right now Dilli is full of Manipur MLAs. Along with their political interest, they want to save the State and safeguard the interest of the people. Thousands are still suffering in relief camps. Children and youngsters are having psychological issues apart from deprivation of education and quality of life. People are suffering due to the shortage of medicines and day-to-day consumables, particularly in the hills.

We have successfully made our beautiful State - hell. We can’t blame others for this - we have to blame ourselves. Still, sensible leaders and intellectuals are shouting and sending messages of peace and co-existence. But their voices are not heard. Only the voices of irrational people are heard and have followed their instructions.

People are gradually realizing the reality. What can Army and Security Forces do? They are just intervening to install normalcy and to control the volatile situations. Ultimately what matters is the peace and stability among the people – ethnic communities.

All are responsible to bring back peace and tranquillity. In the midst of war, you can talk peace – somebody warned me. There is no war - these are riots and skirmishes which are created by power mongers and anti-social elements.

By manipulating people’s sentiments and emotions a few leaders try to gain power and popularity – but at what cost? They have played with fire and they are burning themselves. Rouble arousers and instigators must be taught a lesson for the loss of many lives, the destruction of humongous property, and most importantly for devastating the trust between the communities.

We strongly believe the Centre is looking for a viable solution to our intricate problems. It is so complicated that smart policymakers or framers are breaking their heads. They are supplied with letters and representations from various stakeholders of the State belonging to different communities, NGOs, and political parties. But unfortunately – most of these are either politically motivated or ethnically biased.

Dilli wants an impartial solution to the issues relating to the State of Manipur. Information from the ‘agencies’ from the ground may be more useful and helpful in finding an amicable solution - largely acceptable to all groups and ethnic communities.

Manipuris feel that the PM is not so far properly briefed about the towering inferno of Manipur. Many including dormant activists, self-proclaimed exiles, retired litterateurs, unknown film actors, discarded scholars, and extinct politicians have suddenly found media space when they blurted that the Prime Minister did not say a word in our connection.

See - was there an election-like situation ? Was it a big accident (Rail accident type)? Was it a huge natural disaster (Biparjoy type)?

How can we expect a great leader to react when citizens are senselessly slaughtering one another in a remote corner where the internet/media is not working properly? Do you want Pradhan Mantri to say something just for the sake of saying something ?

Pradhan Mantriji, please come to Manipur; I have already innocently and innocuously announced that you are coming with a big peace package. Common people believe in action, not in words.

Honestly, people are eagerly waiting for your kind and firm action, not mere rhetoric. If you don’t turn up they may hang me at the nearest short lamp post till you arrive, exposing me to the pees of stray dogs. Sir, I am not afraid of dying but I hate the smell of dog piss. Please come soon. SOS.