Why is Delhi still indifferent? Going soft on immigrants
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 19, 2024 -

Obvious that Imphal and Delhi do not know how to deal with the situation and the fact that this should be the reality even after Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishanker had proclaimed that illegal immigration is one of the chief factors for the violence to continue for so long and which has now become so vicious should say so many things.

And illegal immigrants should be understood as those heavily armed, obviously well trained bunch of elements who have had no compunction in picking up women and children and doing them to death after cutting off their limbs.

This was what happened to the children and women kidnapped from Jiribam and whose lifeless bodies were recovered two days back.

For over 18 months Manipur has been experiencing this and for over 18 months, Delhi has been remaining a mute spectator, other than pumping in more security personnel without giving them the license to go on the offensive, even as innocent civilians are targeted, the best example being the fact that the six women and children of Jiribam were whisked away from a relief camp - a camp opened under the instruction of and with the full knowledge of the Government.

The angst of the people, which has been visible on the streets of Imphal and elsewhere, ever since news of the recovery of the lifeless bodies of the six hostages went viral, should be understood against this backdrop.

And how has Imphal responded to the unfolding situation?

Impose curfew and suspend internet service and turn some of the roads where VVIPs reside into highly fortified zones forcing the people to take roads which are not fit for vehicular movement.

Clear that even when Manipur is literally burning, VIPsm continues to lord over everything, making the lives of the common people a living hell.

And how have the people responded to the unfolding situation?

Many have taken to the streets to give vent to their sense of frustration and anger over the utter failure of the Government to handle the crisis and ensure the safety of the people with some even targeting the residences of the elected representatives.

Houses of some have been torched while others have been vandalised.

This is the anger of the people and while the anger and frustration is natural and perfectly understandable, there is not a single line to say what is it that the people want the representatives to do.

Want the MLAs to resign and pave way for Central intervention via President's Rule or effect a change in leadership?

No clear line has been laid down but what is clear is the fact that the people are not at all satisfied with what the Government has been doing to resolve the situation.

Forget about visiting Manipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has simply refused to meet anyone from Manipur ever since the place went up in flames in the evening of May 3, 2023-with just the line that he is being kept updated by his Home Minister Amit Shah.

Why is it that the Prime Minister is refusing to meet anyone from Manipur or should the people be just satisfied with his line, 'my Home Minister is keeping me updated on every development?'

So what course of action should the 40 MLAs from the valley do to let the Prime Minister do something concrete?

What steps has the Government at Imphal taken up or is mulling to take up to put the place on the path of normalcy?

Wasn't it Chief Minister N Biren himself who once said that the Prime Minister is kept updated on everything?

In the same line one may ask, what was discussed during the much publicised meeting between the Kuki, Naga and Meitei MLAs held at Delhi on October 15?

The 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs have had their say after the much publicised meeting but why are the Meitei MLAs refusing to open their mouth ?

All these taken together may be seen as the cumulative impact of the anger and frustration of the people that they now deem it right to storm the residences of the MLAs yet at the same time the very set of people leading from the front in protesting should be clear on what they exactly want the MLAs to do.

The situation is critical, very critical and much thought should be given to every action that is taken up or is mulled to be taken up.