RSS chief says, priority Manipur

Free Thinker *

Just after the general election, though BJP lost both the seats in Manipur, Mohan Bhagwat appealed to the newly elected government at the Centre that priority should be given to the Manipur situation. The new Union government may heed to the request made by the RSS Chief and pay wholehearted attention to Manipur which has been under tremendous stress and strain for more than a year.

Even during the intense ethnic conflict Sangathan leaders including Mohan ji, Dattareya ji , Gopal Krishna ji and others made umpteen appeals to the people of the State to shun violence and restore peace ; issues can be sorted out through dialogues and negotiations.

Unfortunately the violence continued unabated and it still continues sporadically – and now it has spilled over to Jiribam . The Centre as well as the State government have been trying hard to restore normalcy. Peace is a still far cry. Perhaps a robust hand is required to do the needful.

Modiji has come back for the third consecutive term at the Centre; he can deal with the situation. But we are worried about the delay in tightening the situation . The current situation in Jiribam has widened the crisis. Due to this violence, arson and killings - people in thousands have rushed towards Assam.

There may be distrust of the people with the Police and Army. But I don’t think there can be any substantial proof to prove that the forces are biased towards a particular community or sided with a particular community.

We must avoid such allegations because it really causes harm to the dignity and prestige of the armed forces . Such allegations demoralize the forces/police on duty. This could have been used as propaganda to discredit the forces.

The PM has been monitoring the Manipur situation since the beginning of the trouble . It has been more than a year now. The Union Home Minister came twice and the State minister for Home was there. Perhaps the National Security Advisor came twice . Everyone seems to be trying but still peace is alluded to . Something is seriously wrong somewhere.

People talk about the involvement of international players in the current conflict. Their conjecture goes beyond my imagination. The involvement of superpowers can’t be ruled out – they opine openly.

Of course there could be some indirect influence but hardly there is no direct proof. For their strategic reasons to control the region they might attempt to sabotage India's Act East Policy which was in a fast pace (land routes and futuristic railways to Southeast Asia). Now that has been slowed down or stalled.

A stable and progressive Manipur could be against their interest. Many groups may want to keep the region remote, unstable and underdeveloped. A progressive and developed Manipur may be antagonistic to their idea of separate identity, and parochial patriotism.

Meanwhile fifty thousand people are still in the relief camps. Their rehabilitation in their original places must be given top priority. Whatever money or muscle power required must be used by the authorities ( State and Union both).

The widely and wildly circulated weapons must be redeemed under any circumstances by any means. Local militias must be disbanded and disarmed immediately. The powerful women folks on both sides must be restrained from protecting the fugitives and anti-social elements.

Except for the heinous crimes all criminal cases must be ignored or diluted. A lenient view must be taken for the crimes committed during the intensely traumatic and volatile period. Except for murder, rape and felonies other criminal acts may be treated leniently. More than 6000 FIRs and complaints have been lodged. Manipur has gone to the dogs. Let us perform the healing touch together.

State is not running away from its responsibility; authorities still want to deal with the situation. They have been dealing with it; unfortunately the situation lingers on though subsided. There are improvements at the ground level. But the mistrust and fear-psychosis are still in the air. People are not coming back to their original habitations.

Kukis who fled Imphal living in Delhi and elsewhere are still reluctant to go back . Likewise the Meiteis who ran away from Churachandpur and Moreh are still unable to go back to their original places. Almost all of them have a twine problem, - no proper house and no security.

Who will provide them security and who will rebuild their houses? Enormous properties were destroyed - who is going to compensate those? Who will give proper security to those who want to come back? These are the pressing needs and demands. Huge resources and forces are required.

The sword of Damocles is hanging - separate administration, ST demand, shadow of golden triangle, illegal immigration , insurgency, newly armed militias etc., – let it hang on for the time being.

The instant need of the hour is - normalization, stabilization and harmonization between the warring ethnic groups in Manipur and this must be part of NDA’s (new Union Govt.’s) priority program. Modiji respects Mohanji and vice versa. Bhai Saab, can it be part of your first 100 days program?