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Shall we say, don't drink water because fishes defecate in it. This is exactly what the SPF Government recently did by reiterating that the Media will be liable to be punished under certain laws if they publish underground related news.
The clean politician claimed to have no nexus with the underground element, let him throw the first stone to the Press. I am afraid will there be one? If it is viewed from practical aspects what would be Manipur Newspaper like without filling their columns with such news items.
Do we have any news not related to crimes now a days? But when it comes to blame somebody one shouldn't forget that the finger that points to someone has at the same time another four fingers that contradicts himself. We are all there as a part of it.
Be it Government or any element whatsoever under the Sun has its own share either bad or good in the present affair of Manipur. Shall we let the Manipur Press also follow the yardstick of "Myanmar News Light" or "Myanmar Times" published in Myanmar that carries only the Government related news, nothing but developmental news like where the Dam was built, bridges have been inaugurated kind?
Military Junta in one way could act themselves as true people's representatives despite being a military ruled Government in Myanmar. However imposing the style and functioning of Myanmar in this State of India, which is known to be the Greatest Democracy of the World may be unfair.
The Press is in dilemma, like the war prisoners who have no right to protest. They are made forced hostages in their own soil. The deep blue sea or the monster is equally dangerous. The Government imposes certain strictures of 'Dos and Don'ts' on the Press Fraternity in Manipur. Would not this tantamount to breach of laws that violates the sanctity of freedom of Press?
I cannot see any reason why should not the Government also be branded another unlawful agency for breach of laws. Press alone shouldn't get the blame neither Government should throw its weight on them. The SPF Government instead of gagging the mouth of Press can better do something innovative with the help of Medias like other state does.
In our neighboring Assam, ULFA is no longer viewed as a dreaded unlawful organization. Tarun Gogoi in his recent statement said his government had recommended the release of some of the jailed ULFA leaders if that would help in bringing peace to the State. He pronounced 'We are definitely going to ask the government during the talks to expedite the process of releasing the five jailed ULFA leader.
On the other hand ULFA is on the rise in terms of violence; struck in a big way killing hordes of Hindi-speaking people across the State of Assam. In such juncture Press plays the most vital kind of role, which the State Government needed the most. This is not in support of any vandalism or in the act of atrocities; it is still believed that every problem has a solution.
Let us not say that columns of forces that deployed in Manipur will stamp out insurgency. There should be some other means to bring Peace in Manipur. Kuldip Nayar, renowned journalist, rightly commented "If a government wants to depend on "extra-judicial powers" to administer any part of the country even after 57 years of Independence; there is something basically wrong with the approach of that government.
Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Ranganath Mishra admitted that AFSPA was "grossly misused". The present government cannot brush aside his criticism because he was brought to the Rajya Sabha on the Congress ticket." I hope Kuldip Nayar didn't say wrong.
Manipur is virtually engulfed with chaos, turmoil and unrest. Apprehension prevails that Manipur may break into pieces someday. MLAs and MP who got elected from Manipur Assembly Constituencies have submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India recently to segregate parts of Manipur and form a bigger state merging with Nagaland.
When one fathoms the degree, is there anything unlawful other than this act? What the Government will have to say on this? Laws itself don't prevail in the Palace; laws are being breached by the rulers and the King becomes dumbfounded. At this point of time laws are not meant to be enforced upon the subjects. So the term unlawful needs to be discussed broadly on a more befitting platform.
Yes we are talking on emotional aspects; emotional integrity, territorial integrity and lots more. If His Excellency, the Governor of Manipur or the Hon'ble Chief Minister ever travels on the National Highway 39 that leads to Dimapur of Nagaland only then they would understand as to how the most talked about "Emotional Integration" slipped off in the trouble torn Manipur.
Starting right from Gopibung near kangpokpi down the border town Mao of Manipur there are numerous potholes big enough to drown a baby -child. This has been almost an abandoned terrain by our wealthy-hefty Ministers and bureaucrats. I wonder how on the Earth one could find such a deplorable National Highway.
The poor maintenance of the road never reveals that the Chief Minister ever slightly ponders the integration issue. Nonetheless the Government talks big things; about developmental works being taken place etc. However driving along the road there is nothing one can be positive or optimistic about in their thought.
Every pothole made one to recall the name of Ibobi with a chant of blessing to live long the Chief Minister. Controlling the wheel is all you will have to do nothing comes in mind. As for me this is unlawful; grossly violated the right of basic amenities of the people. Shree Ibobi should get advice from his Nagaland Counterpart how the latter made a road from Khuzama and the rest of the stretches of National Highway in Nagaland akin to the road of Jan path Road in New Delhi.
Let us do some practical exercise; not to lament or shedding crocodile tears. Let us make Manipur ever resourceful and economic-self reliant state with good transport and communication. Let us dream Manipur be converted into a large rice bowl, another commercial hub like Bangkok and Yangon in the South East Asia.
Manipur by virtue of its geographic location is known to be the Gateway to the South East Asia. Why shouldn't we take advantage of it? Bangkok or Singapore doesn't require any emotional integration's plead.
Well Manipur should be a fertile and economic zone where every son of the soil flock together and prosper together. When that time comes the emotional integration chapter will sink itself in the fold of the history for Love and tranquility will prevail across the horizon.
Integrity Anecdote:
Sadananda the popular singer and star of Manipur silver screen happened to accompany me to Kohima where he had to stage a concert last year. My car in which we were traveling needed to have a repairing for some mechanical defect in a workshop at Senapati.
Soon the workshop was crowded with a lot of Sadananda's fans who were mostly teens. They seemed to be overjoyed seeing their favorite star and having an eyeball to eyeball talk with him. The ever smiling hero of the screen distributed sweets to his fans and small kids alike. Never was Shadananda considered by the crowd that he belongs to a particular community. People simply loved to hear what he said..readily to applaud in favour of him. For the moment the spirit of integration was flying high.
I hope any talker or spokesperson who has the capability of being glued to microphone hours on integration issue would not have been able to pull that much crowd as did by Sadananda. It took place in an unexpected time in a corner of Senapati where the theme of emotional integration requires to be planted cautiously and see how it blooms.
In one way Sadananda is a more practical crusader of Emotional Integration than anyone else.
"The Eskimo has fifty-two names for snow because it is important to them; there ought to be as many for love."
- Margaret Atwood
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R.K. Shivachandra, social worker based in Imphal, contributes regularly to e-pao.net.
The writer can be reached at india_myanmar(at)yahoo(dot)com .
This article was webcasted on August 25th, 2007.
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