Two recent developments, unrelated, but which could have far reaching impact on the State have reared its head and the sooner the Congress led SPF Government realises the gravity of the situation the better it would be for everyone.
The first is the ongoing indefinite economic blockade imposed by the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur on the two National Highways and the other was the ultimatum issued by the Naga People's Organisation that they would stop all rice laden trucks from heading towards Imphal. Both sides have their own reasons for coming out with such radical steps.
While the student body has taken recourse to the economic blockade to protest the failure of the State Government to implement its earlier assurances the NPO announced its decision to take recourse to such a step to protest the 30 pc deduction of rice meant for the hill people by some armed organisations.
Economic blockade not only economically cripples the economy of the people but also has the potential to sow seeds of distrust and animosity between the different communities living in Manipur.
However much we are against the imposition of economic blockade, we cannot help but state that the demands of ATSUM are justified in every sense of the word. We all know how education has been abused and neglected for years in the hill districts.
The demand of the student body to improve the infrastructure of the schools in the hill districts is not a recent demand and if the Government has any political will then surely something can be done to better the lot of the schools in the hill districts.
Majority of the structures which pass off as schools in the hill districts are at best decrepit buildings with no proper class rooms and desks and benches. Most of the teachers posted in the hill districts do not report for duty at all.
Education is the mantra for development in this modern age and when the Government fails to address this issue to the satisfaction of the people, then surely we cannot expect the affected people to remain quiet.
It has also become clear that there is a need to establish a separate cell in the Education Department to deal with the education system in the hill districts as the present arrangement has not worked. It is precisely for this very reason why ATSUM has raised the demand for a Directorate of Education for the hills to be headed by a Joint Director.
This arrangement may take time for the Government to fulfil, but a beginning has to be made. However till date there is no sign that the Government has taken up any steps towards this end.
Chief Minister O Ibobi and his Council of Ministers have absolutely no right to overlook the genuine demands and grievances of ATSUM and all possible steps should be taken up to ensure that education does not suffer in the hill districts.
The decision of NPO to forbid all rice laden vehicles to proceed to Imphal is a dicey matter. The NPO may rightly feel that no underground organisations have the right to siphon off rice meant for the people.
However just blaming militant groups of any particular community is not the answer.
Extortion, imposition of taxes, percentage cuts from salaries of Government employees and from contract works is a norm that has been adopted by all the armed groups in Manipur and though NPO needs to be acknowledged for taking up a brave stand, it should also be kept in mind that it will not improve the situation by stopping rice transportation to Imphal.
The situation is delicate and calls for a more balanced approach.
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