TODAY -
The Blockade Fuelled Ethnic Enmity. But was it a Political Ploy?
Tehelka | Avalok Langer | December 3, 2011,
WHY DID Chief Minister Ibobi Singh say — midway through the double blockade of Manipur — that the crisis would sort itself out? With good reason, apparently. When the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) barricaded NH-39 and NH-53, cutting off supply lines, it brought life to a standstill for 121 days. Common people suffered while political capital was accumulated.
But Indian Oil Corporation’s (IOC) Northeast General Manager B Dey says IOC was able to supply 90 percent of its usual quantity of petrol to Manipur per month, suffering negligible losses.
“Meiteis of the valley blame the Nagas and Kukis (hill tribes). The Nagas and the Kukis blame the Meiteis. But the truth is the state government is to blame,” explains a Manipuri social worker. “Elections are around the corner and the government wants to use this ethnic anger to its advantage. As it is, they have been on an inaugurating spree, opening new institutions to win over the people.” Manipur has no real Opposition, the Congress government enjoys a huge majority in the House. Only 20 of the 60 seats in the state Assembly are reserved for tribes.
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* This Post is uploaded on December 03, 2011
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