Enhancing aerial options to ease travel woes
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: January 16, 2025 -
WITH no signs of a solution to the on-going crisis and the rail-line construction work unlikely to be completed any soon inspite of project deadlines extended multiple times, increasing the number of flight operations remains the only option left for the government authorities to address travel-related problems for the valley dwellers in general and the Meetei community in particular.
As such, the announcement made by the Ministry of Civil to introduce additional flight service to and from the state, that too at a fair fare rate, would bring great relief to those who have to make frequent trips for business and other purposes in addition to ensuring that patients have access to swifter travel for better service in reputed healthcare institutions.
Though the launch of the additional flight service from Imphal to Kolkata, Guwahati and Dimapur is certain to provide yet another opportunity to the opposition leaders to criticise the BjP-led governments at the centre and in the state for the inability to restore complete normalcy in the state, such political rhetoric, if any, wouldn't matter to the general population as long as they could access and afford aerial conveyance.
With the warring communities unwilling to lower their guard, tension escalating instantly whenever undesired incidents happen, and war of words being waged on various media platforms, it is obvious that no sane person would prefer travelling by road, regardless of the government of Manipur periodically emphasising on resumption of MST bus service with the sole objective to substantiate claims about gradual return of normalcy.
Indeed, the present tense situation merits civil societies, truly dedicated to sustaining peace in the fractious society and committed to work for the cause humanity, to intervene at the earliest possible instead of living under the impression that collateral losses suffered by affected communities would dawn upon both to look for reconciliation.
Ever since the violence broke out in May 2023, Kuki political figures and civil organisations have been utilising every platform to demonise the Meetei community, with some so-called enlightened Kuki scholars even going to the extent of blaming the valley dwellers for the economic distress of the tribal and asserting that their rights are being scooped by the former.
If at all outright objections being raised against the demands for adopting a legislation to uphold interest of the indigenous communities settling in Manipur, inclusion of Meetei/Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list and occasional tension over creation of new districts, not to mention about the on-going Kuki-Meetei conflict, to name a few niggling issues, are any indication then it would be perceptible to even a layman that Manipur is not only passing through a critical phase but is also suffering through a paroxysm of social and political discord unlike anything seen in the past.
Moreover, Kuki organisations are not only raising fierce objections when the Meetei community seeks socio-political safeguard under the constitution of India but also claiming that the Meeteis are at guilt for the inter-community trust deficit.
Notwithstanding the anti-Meetei and anti-Kuki narratives being cooked up by individuals and organisations with vested interests, it is the responsibility of the government to not only endeavour for bringing the parties in dispute to the negotiating table and facilitate both sides to iron out their differences but also ensure that the citizens do not suffer owing to deficiency of travel options.
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