Riders to clarion call for surrendering arms
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 24, 2025 -

HAVING experienced the relevance of peace and socio-political stability towards materialisation of the collective aspiration for socio-economic advancement during the first term of the BJP-led coalition government after decades of enduring hardships due to the chronic insurgency problem in the state, it's obvious that many would be yearning for restoration of tranquillity and wishing that the new Governor's call for surrendering illegal arms and ammunition would continue to evoke positive response.

Lack of consensus among the BJP legislators might be the immediate cause for the unceremonious dismissal of the coalition government but the fact remains that as the chief minister N Biren had been facing tremendous pressure and drawing flaks, from political detractors, socio-political commentators and Kuki civil organisations, over failure to address the Kuki-Meetei conflict, consequently diluting personal accolades and accomplishments of the government in the first term as well as the first year of the second innings.

It is an undeniable fact that formation of the coalition government under the leadership of N Biren had not only led to cessation of decades of insurgency-related incidents such as frequent shootouts, staged managed encounters and involuntary disappearance of both cadres of armed outfits and civilian youths but the state also played host to various enviable events and the people realised that there is life after dusk, thereby enhancing Manipur's profile as one of the tourists hotspots in the northeast region.

However, the state has been regressing in various aspects since outbreak of the violence in May 2023.

Though there is still no sign that efforts being made to restore normalcy would reap the fruit anytime soon, there is no doubt that the people are longing for peace and joining the race for development.

Amid the prevailing tense situation, political uncertainty arising out of the bid to unseat N Biren as the chief minister and lack of consensus among the BJP legislators on who should be Biren's replacement eventually resulted in the central government bringing the state under the President's Rule and keeping the assembly under suspended animation.

Having been entrusted to administer the state and restore rule of law Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been making all-out efforts to impress upon the masses that he wouldn't be sleeping over the problems but do the needful to live up to the people's expectation.

Along with entertaining complaint memorandums submitted by various organisations and visiting districts considered as epicentre of the conflict, the Governor recently made a public appeal for surrendering arms looted or procured from unknown sources within a week's time.

As his clemency offer has started to evoke positive response from both the warring communities, it is hoped that authorities of security forces would issue firm directive to officers working at the ground level to act without any prejudice so as to complement the Governor's endeavours to expedite return of peace.

Mention may be made that of the various factors that aggravated the situation, complicity of security forces, forced the civilians to arm themselves. Therefore, there is substance in civil society organisations contending that the illegal firearms and ammunition in possession of the civilian youths would be deposited at the designated locations in case the Governor gives the assurance to effectively prevent armed attacks on civilian population.