Economic blockade, acts of arson fuelling tension
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: August 09, 2022 -

IT needs no reminding that the economic blockade imposed by All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur and students' bodies under its wing as well as tribal organisations supporting the agitation has been creating serious tension in the state.

With villagers of Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai areas under Bishnupur district threatening to impose counter economic blockade if the government authorities could not bring to an end to AT-SUM's agitation, primarily centred on cutting off the supply chain to force the establishment accord importance to its grievances, it could be safely stated that the restive situation will deepen, might turn volatile and create fissures in the society.

In what could be construed as adding fuel to the fire, some disruptive elements have been resorting to torching of vehicles unlike in the past when imposition of economic blockade along the lifelines of Manipur sparked outrage among the valley settlers and resulted in launching of counter blockade.

Moreover, agitation supporters as well as those opposing the blockade indulging in acts of arson, shutting down government offices and preventing movement of goods carriers not only underscore escalation of socio-ethnic tension across the state but disruptive elements feasting on the situation.

On its part the government has been making efforts to prevent occurrences of unwanted incidents as is evident from minister Letpao Haokip and some tribal legislators holding talks with representatives of ATSUM and other tribal bodies till late night on Sunday and continuing with the same exercise on Monday to restore peace and tranquillity in the state.

However, solution eluding the nearly six hours of parleys on Sunday night implies firm stand of the agitating bodies not to retract the stand till finality of the ADC Bill issue.

Considering the fact that there had been no major agitations in the state ever since the BJP-led coalition came to power, the incumbent government would be under tremendous pressure to resolve the situation and maintain order failing which its rhetoric of bandh/ blockade free Manipur would be ridiculed by both opposition parties and civil societies.

Though it is hoped that the government will continue to engage the agitators for ironing out the differences, the need of the hour is for influential civil societies of both hills and plains to hold meetings so as to deescalate tension and help the parties in dispute find lasting solution at the earliest possible.

Visibly worried over recent incidents of violence amid ATSUM's agitation, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has made a fervent appeal to the apex body of the tribal students in the state to withdraw the economic blockade and instead look for alternative agitation for pursuing their demands and tribal rights.

Such an appeal by COCOMI underscores general sentiment of the commoners, who are the hardest-hit section of the society whenever tension situation aggravates.

Thus, similar to COCOMI's call for sanity, other civil societies too should make all possible initiatives to stop all acts and activities that tantamount to provoking sentiments of any community.,

In case the restive situation persists, there is strong possibility that elements inimical to harmonious co-existence of the ethnic communities might play the communal cards to create further divisions in the society and render to nought relentless efforts to uphold emotional and territorial integrity of Manipur.