June/July syndrome
- Imphal Times Editorial :: May 31 2017 -

It’s not that we are against any form of democratic protest against any misdeed by either miscreants or government agencies or the top-level government politicians and bureaucrats.

Being a citizen of a democratic country, everybody has the right to express their grievances, and the government too should not let things gone out of hand when any such grievances are being put up.

The last couple of decades showed Manipur witness bandh, blockades, or any form of protest on any issues during these months.

Either it may be from the valley, or from the Hills or from the border, issues are often brought up by vested interested persons to spark state wide chaotic situations.

Some are genuine and some are for the interest of clique of people which disturbed the daily affairs of thousands of people.

This year, after the BJP led government came to power in the state, people were somehow relieved after witnessing serious concern of the government led by chief minister N Biren Singh by acting tough to sort out almost every issues haunting the state for the pass so may years.

With the hundred days programme preparing under hectic scheduled people of the state had seen hope about the restoration of peace and harmony.

Manipur this time had high hope that there will be no disturbances in these particular two months where Manipuris had never able to enjoy a peaceful life.

But what went wrong, the attacked to Parliamentary secretary (Home) Suchindro @ Yaima and followed by killing of a daily wage earner lady labourer by unknown miscreants near border town Moreh on Myanmar side already had begun the show of June/July syndrome.

Earlier, an attempt to boil up the issue of Chief Minister’s son using national media (Print and electronic) failed to create trouble in the state.

And now again the death of a salesman from Heingang is trying to spark another chaotic situation in the state.

Perhaps today’s 48 hours bandh is the first bandh in the 2 plus months N Biren Singh Government.

This can be term as the first set back of N Biren Singh as he had successfully solved almost all matters but failed to keep the promise that his government will make Manipur a Bandh Free state.

To remind the government it is worth remembering that large number of women observed Meira Paibi Day on May 28 and the slogan of observing the day is against the draconian act AFSPA and demand for rectification of convention on torture.

CM Biren himself had many a times stated that his priority is also to remove AFSPA.

Well, Mr. Chief Minister, during his speech during the inaugural function of the Barak Spring Festival at Senapati has rightly pointed out that there will be issue if the society has to go on.

But resolving the issue is his government’s top priority, he also added.

When, certain vested interested so called human rights activist tried to sabotage the image of the Chief Minister by exposing the case of his son through national media, even after knowing that the matter is in the court, Imphal Times had questioned the motive behind such activities.

Now about the death of Huirom Priyokumar who has been missing since May 17, 2017 after depositing money at State Bank of India, Chief Minister need to take the case with due seriousness.

The question arises over the death of this young man is that Imphal city is still not secure for laymen.

This case should be seriously dealt and all those involved should be punished if the government really feel that the June/July syndrome should be eradicated from the soil.