Bid to wake up quiescent PM
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: December 07, 2024 -

WITH Prime Minister Narendra Modi not yet in the mood to comment on the Manipur crisis, which is inching towards the second year amid sporadic incidents of firing in the fringe areas mostly targeting the Meetei settlements nearby hill ranges, after his glancing reference to the unrest situation in the wake of two Kuki women paraded nude in the initial stages of the communal violence, there is growing apprehension that his silence could be due to the complex nature of the conflict and institutional complicity.

Undeterred by appeals from different quarters, including the alliance partners of the BJP, opposition parties and Manipur-based civil societies, that he visit the strife-torn state, assess the ground situation, formulate specific policies to end the feud and help in bringing representatives of the warring communities to the negotiating table, the Prime Minister seems unconcerned with suffering of the people and unfazed by criticism against the coalition government at the centre and in the state.

Since the first few months of the crisis, thousands of violence-affected people had been expressing both surprise and exasperation due to the stoic silence of PM Modi as many believe that he holds the key for return of normalcy in the state.

Moreover, apparent lack of enthusiasm by the Prime Minister in resolving the conflict is also emboldening the opposition leaders in criticising the Prime Minister's silence and alleged insensitivity to suffering of the Manipur public.

Opposition leaders have even started to allege that the PM's hesitancy in addressing the woeful condition of the violence-affected families is part of the BJP's agenda to polarise the society and validation of the central government's indifferent attitude to socio-political aspiration of the small states which have no bearing on electoral politics.

His obduracy had also prompted non-BjP political parties, including NDA and NEDA allies, led by national and regional leaders to question commitment of the union government in resolving the crisis but to no avail for reasons best known to one of the tallest leaders in the world and who boast of having the largest number of followers.

The opposition Congress, in particular, has been making it point to call names and taunt the Prime Minister's indifference whenever there is violent incidents in the state, which has seen 200-plus deaths, destruction caused to properties and displacement of thousands of people from both the communities in conflict.

Leaders of regional and national political parties active in the state also join the condemnation chorus and prod the PM's conscience in case street protests by the aggrieved parties, including students, turn ugly.

Apart from political organisations, frustrated civil societies have started to contemplate that the Prime Minister is not interested in safeguarding life and properties of people in a politically insignificant state like Manipur, and even raised the demand for restoration of Manipur's pre-merger status.

Speculations are also rife that PM Modi is refraining from commenting on the violence due to his comprehension that the crisis will subside due to weariness of the warring communities and eventual realisation that indulging in violence will only lead to regression of the state.

Thus, the endeavour by civil society organisations to stage protest rally in New Delhi laterthis month might have no bearing on the Prime Minister or make him aware that the clashes are no more between civilians but have turned into a bloody battle between armed groups unfazed by the presence of state or central security forces.