CSOs indispensible in fractious Manipur
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: August 30, 2022 -

THERE should be no second opinion regarding the role, activities and contributions of student bodies and civil societies of Manipur towards various socio-political issues which frequently crop in the state.

Home to different ethnic communities, Manipur has been occasionally witnessing sensitive incidents consequently entailing proactive involvement of the pressure groups to settle the differences before they spiral out of control.

From pursuing state-specific demands to staging protest demonstrations for drawing attention of the government authorities, civil societies have been taking up the cudgel for the masses when the state either faces threat to its territorial integrity or the political class remains indifferent to public's concerns.

Among the pressure groups, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), which was formed on August 28, 1965, one day after the historic Hunger Marchers' Day, is one such organisation which has been actively involved in public movements that not only helped in maintaining a semblance of tranquillity in this restive society but continues to shoulder the responsibility to ensure that rights of the student community are not violated by any entity.

The student body celebrating its 57th foundation day on Sunday testifies that for nearly six decades it has weathered the storm and resiliently contributing its mite whenever serious issues surface.

As stated by its former president RK Itocha, AMSU and other student bodies have been a playing crucial role in protecting the state from external influences and assimilation.

Though genesis of its inception was the spontaneous uprising in 1965 when people of Manipur faced serious food crisis, AMSU's role and activities since then has been unlimited.

Regardless of floating of other equally influential students, women and civil organisations, AMSU has been able to maintain its status as a pressure group to reckon with but doesn't remain aloof whenever issues of public interest crop up in the state that necessitate collective movement.

Along with local and state level Meira Paibi groups and other organisations, AMSU has been able to make its presence felt and ring out the message to the establishment that it is keeping a close tab and wouldn't hesitate from taking to the street if any anti-people policy is initiated.

As such, AMSU and other organisations have been fairly successful in preventing disintegration of the state and making significant contribution to ensure that the society remains vibrant and united.

As purpose of formation of uncountable numbers of civil bodies is for the good cause of the society, leaders of these organisations must keep in mind that there are still plenty of challenges that necessitate close coordination and collective decisions so as to generate support of the masses.

With the state having no shortage of elements consistently scheming to create divisions on ethnic lines among other sensitive issues, it is imperative that student bodies and civil societies continue to lead from the front to keep the indigenous people safe and united.

Along with making the public aware that there are still elements who are posing serious threat to the society, these pressure groups must shed their differences, if any, and strive to reach out to one another so as to work collectively towards achieving the common goal of peace and development.