Farcical management of district councils vis-a-vis Govt apathy

Lansinngam Kahmei *

To be frank I do not belong to any particular political party but I do belong to we-do-a-good-job party. As such, any form of injustice purportedly commited against its people in the name of governance causes me significant distress. It is a matter of grave concern for the future of tribal community in Manipur as the so-called Sambalna Hawai Maton Chaba’s situation has come.

The resolution no. 59/2024-HAC, issued under the signatory of Chairman HAC is a flagrant disregard of the sentiments of tribal people. Worth wondering how and why a retired IAS officer who is expected to forsee the future for his people and fight for the right of his people surprisingly colluded with the Cabinet decision to bypass the democratic process!

We have had sufficient experiences about the ill treatment meted out against the tribal community, but the HAC decision to work in line by the past pattern shattered my faith in our Government, though not all tribal reps are to be equally blamed for this tragedy.

When such incident come to pass so, I can’t restrain myself to think whether our representatives are being beleaguered by the 40 giants. If they were not in a position to push for a claimed, ethical and Constitutionally valid management of district councils, they could have hinted its signal to tribal CSOs who are ever ready to guide and stand by them.

But their silence to work in collusion with anti forces speaks volumes and utlimately tantamount to selling the rights and aspiration of their people. So the ulterior motive is clear; is it to mismanage the 15th Finance fund meant for the district councils ?

One may recall of the ongoing legal battle over mismanagement of 14th Finance in respect Tamenglong ADC where its verdict has not served till date. As such, the reliability of the prevailing legal system is doubtful as it couldn’t close the matter till today. Question looms large whether the ruling dispensation is a justice serving machinery or a crime cleansing machine.

In the light of the above resolution, one foxy strategy the incumbent MLAs would possibly resort to, if I am not wrong, is picking up his loyalists who would be supportive of his candidature in the next Assembly election. Picking or selecting ? Don’t wonder it is not E.L.E.C.T.I.O.N. It is selection. You read it right.

So, are our reps truly serving its people devoid of pecuniary interest ? You tell me. I presume such politic is too shallow and vision too myopic.

When such things come to pass, how would you rate them ? Good leaders ? Dirty politicians ? Tribal parasites ?

Alas! The bell for District Councils funeral program is about to chime ! It is through our concerted effort that can rescue the perishing district council’s soul. Do you want it to perish forever ? If not, wake up and act accordingly lest it die a systematic death in the hands of short sighted yet professional slayers. Do you want such farcical mismanagement of district councils to continue ? You reflect.

Further, the Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) has been urging the Government for immediate replacement of Minister, Tribal Affairs & Hills, who has been on the run following ethnic clash between Meetei and Chin-Kuki tribes, for greater good of the tribal affairs. Yet this too has been neglected till date.

It is not unknown to Government that due consultation with the said Minister is not possible as he is beyond the reach of other majority tribal community (Nagas) in Manipur.

Also, the recent unethical recruitment and biased results where the tribal candidate are trashed is not unknown. The Government shall not remain contented over the declared results as there can be a reaction for every unjust action.

For real development to happen, active participation of citizens is a must. It is the bounden responsibility of our elected representatives to exhibit the genuine interest of the people.

Our leaders are expected to demonstrate integrity and compassion consistent with Christian values. However, should our leaders fail to honor people’s sentiments and continue to misuse their power and go against its own people, it is the responsibility of the people to hold them accountable.

So do our representatives reflect the above qualities worthy of being called people representatives ? Do they deserve to represent us in the next Assembly election ? You answer. But I am reluctant to explicitly state my view here as my reservation have been overtly expressed.