Indifferent Govt, arrogant NSCN (IM) : Making things worse
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: December 22, 2012 -

Protest demanding justice in front of CM Gate for humiliating treatment to Actress Momoko on 21 December 2012
Pix - Deepak Oinam

If you cannot resolve an issue, then the next best thing is not to make it more complex and worse.

This perhaps is the best suggestion that the Ibobi Singh led Government would need at the moment.

On the other hand, it is also equally true that in pursuing a case it is important to ensure that it does not turn into something more undesirable.

If not handled correctly, then the December 18 incident at Chandel has all the potential to morph into something more ugly and uncomfortable for the people as a whole.

It defies logic why the State had to unleash its brute force to disperse protestors near the Chief Minister's official residence.

Tactful handling of situation has never been the strength of this Government, but there is no reason why the police had to resort to a lathi charge.

Any sensitive leader of the people should have been able to understand the likely outcome and the least that could have been done was to meet some representatives of the protestors and assure them of the steps that the Government would take up.

Or is it a case of the Government having nothing to offer as assurances ? It is also beyond one's comprehension why the NSCN (IM) should keep mum at this point of time, when a senior cadre, holding the rank of Lt Colonel, has been openly accused of molesting, assaulting and abusing a film actress in full public view besides opening fire at two others who tried to intervene.

If not handled prudently, the molestation case of Momoko has the potential to trigger a stand off not only between the Government and the protestors but also deepen the ethnic divide that has been the bane of Manipur for years now.

It should be clear to all that the voice of protest has been raised against an incident involving a cadre of an armed group which is engaged in a political dialogue with the Government of India.

However looking at the manner in which the police cracked down on the protestors on December 21, everything suggest that the Government care two hoots about the issue taking an uglier turn.

Such an approach can only add fuel to the fire and given the fact that the very name NSCN (IM) can trigger polarised viewpoints, there is all the more reason why the Government should tackle the issue prudently.

Indifference can only make it worse. As things stand now, the Film Forum has imposed an indefinite bandh and the Government has no one but to blame itself for the present situation.

Or is this what the Government wants ? Politics can get dirty and murky and given the mindset of the people who pass off as political leaders here, anything can be possible.

So far the Chief Minister has not met representatives of the Manipur Film Forum, which is spearheading the demand for fitting action against the rogue NSCN (IM) cadre.

The least the Chief Minister could and should have done was to open his doors to some members of the Forum and explained the position of the Government as well as the steps taken being taken up.

For starters, has search operations, as promised by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam on the floor of the Assembly been launched to nab the culprit ?

On the other hand, the NSCN (IM) leadership too should convey the message that it is ready to probe the matter and take up action accordingly.

Keeping mum would amount to endorsing the act of its cadre.