SOPs? Shut up this is by election time
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 22 2020: Even as the police are penalising commuters flouting SOP issued by the Government to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the State, the same SOP is openly discarded as by-election campaigns gather momentum in the State.

It has been evident that no SOP is being observed at big election rallies and meetings held in some Assembly segments for some days now and apparently law enforcing agencies have no say on these ugly scenarios.

With the COVID-19 threat seemingly sidelined, various sections of the society including student bodies have been raising questions whether election is worthier than the lives of many.

Regarding the ugly development, Sukham Bidyananda who is the vice president of KSA told The Sangai Express that nothing is more saddening than to see the leaders who actually should lead by example, indulging and encouraging public meetings which do not stick to relevant SOP just for the sake of promoting candidates sponsored by their parent political parties.

SOPs? Shut up this is by election time

No matter how hard the CSOs, student bodies and other sections struggle to fight the disease, the cause will remain unsuccessful unless leaders in various political parties play their part well, he continued.

Asking if there are separate SOPs for politicians, he also said that it is very 'irresponsible' on the part of law enforcing agencies to give a free hand and allow such crowded public meetings.

If such differential treatment continues, people will start disobeying the SOP and obviously aggravate the situation, he continued.

Even if the by-polls are to be conducted, mass gatherings should be avoided and SOPs should be strictly enforced, said Bidyananda.

Longjam Ratankumar, president of Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN), on the other hand reiterated their call to defer the by-election in view of the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in the State.

He said that the upcoming by-elections are not going to be held to fill the vacant seats after demise of MLAs but because of the power tussle between politicians.

People should rather study why there should be by-elections for mere resignation of MLAs who clearly disrespected people's mandate, he said while highlighting the importance of a new legislation to stop such dirty political practise.

Despite appeals from various CSOs, ECI has issued notification of by elections in 5 Assembly Constituencies in view of the vacancies, he said while adding that the only way now left to all is to simply obey the SOPs.

Giving a free hand over public meetings which clearly flout SOPs and penalising commuters, show the 'lawlessness' in the State, he continued.