Why should only blockade be an issue in this election?s
- Imphal Times Editorial :: February 12 2017 -

Ruling congress seems to be rocking on with the eco-blockade euphoria in their poll campaign.

The fifteen years old regime which faced multiple charges of corruption, nepotism and human rights violation is finally rolling on with blockade issue triggering the sentiments of the voters.

The BJP which was assumed as the only challenger to this 15 years old regime has been kept aside from the mindset of the majority people by spreading the words that nothing is more important than protecting the territorial integrity of the state.

It seems right when saying so because, what will be used of corrupt Free State when there is no such state at all.

Economic blockade now is in an enigma, with none of the stakeholder can decide even for the interest of the people.

The state government is helpless now because the Code of Conduct has been in force and any decision will mean jeopardy to the election.

The UNC too cannot simply lift it as it would be no less than a political immaturity as there is not a single agreement to the demands put up.

The center too has to think over it again and again for any hasty decision would mean a revolt against the BJP which is running the government in the center.

One thing that is felt necessary to remind our fellow reader is that of the series of agitation that has witnessed in the state to any attempt to distort the integrity of the state.

Almost all offices of political parties as well as official quarters were targeted and as many as 21 people sacrificed in the protest for safeguarding the territorial boundary.

The state also witnessed the mighty India government, retreating its stand on the issue on seeing the furry of the people.

Above the many happenings, what is needed to ponder upon is whether any force on earth can distort the integrity of the state.

Well the territorial integrity of Manipur has been fairly established for half a millennium, as one can verify easily it from Henry Yule’s map of Manipur 1500 AD, down to James Johnstone’s Map in 19th Century and to Surveyer genral of India’s Map of Manipur, 1984 AD.

They have been corroborated and recognized by other countries in their official map and records. The boundary had so firmly established as to reduce any baseless claim to a heap of mockery and puerile absurdity.

It is purely a political strategy for any party to move ahead with their demands. And no matter how serious is the demand ultimately it is the decision of the people of the state that will decides on which way to go.

When such demands are let free to be played by big time politicians just for a mere gain in election then it is not a fair game.

Renowned journalist Yambem Laba, at of his face book page wrote as stated by a leader of UNC – “When it was pointed out that even if the Ibobi Government wants to roll back the decision of creating New Districts they cannot do so because of existence of the Code of conduct in view of the forthcoming elections, Milan said that in case Ibobi announces that the creation of the New Districts would be rolled back he would be killed by the Kukis and the Meiteis and that if he as Secretary of the UNC calls off the blockade without getting the nod of approval of the Nagas of Manipur he too would be killed by his own fellow Nagas”.

This purely showed that everything is being played in such a shrewd manner that all the party were in stalemate getting plus point to only the Congress party which has been in power for 15 years.

It is time that we the people understand and open up the issues of corruption, nepotism and human rights violations in the last 15 years beside raising our voice against the blockade issue.