Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, July 25:
Veteran Congressman and former chief minister of the state, Rishang Keishing, appealed for the return of normalcy in the state during a conversation with this newspaper.
The elderly leader appreciated the non-communal nature of the present agitation witnessed in the state, but called for restraint of the violent tendencies of the agitation.
That the fight is not amongst the fraternal communities of the state, is something we must all be happy about, he said.
Referring to the case of Nagas fleeing the valley, Rishang said it must be understood that the Nagas are in an unenviable situation.
�They are caught between the proverbial Devil and the deep sea at the moment.� �Even if the agitation has not been communal in nature, there is wide insecurity amongst the Naga population in the valley.
Their departure must however not be misinterpreted,� the veteran leader added.
�Even I feel uncertain if it is safe at the moment.� He added.
Rishang regretted the new trend of destroying government assets as part of the agitation.
�These are assets that we have to rebuild sometime or the other and at much higher cost.� He explained.
�We must realize the loss is our own and sooner or later we will begin missing them,� he said.
He also regretted the continued spree of attacking the residence of MLAs, saying this can easily be taken advantage of and reduced to personal rivalries.
Rishang expressed the hope that the situation will return to normal soon and all will be able to live in peace and harmony together again.