Last chance not to fall from grace
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 21, 2024 -

IN a welcome development that shows political parties and their leaders in Manipur can set aside their differences and work together for the common good of the state and its people, a delegation of INDIA bloc called on both the Governor and the chief minister on Wednesday to discuss the urgency of restoring peace and normalcy in the ethnic violence ravaged state.

Since the violence broke out on May 3 last year after a supposedly peaceful solidary march turned violent in Churachandpur and other Kuki-Chin dominated areas, political parties and their leaders in Manipur have been as divided as the two warring communities.

While the main opposition party, Indian National Congress (INC) and the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had been trying to outdo each other in shifting the blame for the sorry state of affairs in which Manipur has fallen in today, other political parties which are either in support of the government or allied with the opposition were also doing nothing precious other than convening press conferences to air their concerns every now and then.

There is a great difference in between addressing press conferences to raise issues afflicting the state and its people and sitting across the table to discuss the same.

This fact has always been overlooked by all political parties and their leaders in Manipur with their holier-than-thou attitude; So, it was good to see a delegation of INDIA bloc comprising state units of INC, JD (U), AIFB, NCP (SP), AITC, Shiv Sena (UBT), RSP, CPI-MC, CPI (M) and AAP not only calling on both the Governor and the chief minister to submit a memorandum but also sitting together with the constitutional head as well as the executive head of the state for the first time and discussing measures to be taken up for resolving the crisis besieging Manipur for more than a year now.

Regardless of their political affiliations and differences in ideologies, every politician in a democratic society should remember that they can enjoy the trust and confidence of the people as long as they remain true to their commitment of serving the state.

People may be naive at times but politicians should not take the naivety of the people for granted all the time.

History is testimony to how many a great leader had fallen from the grace of the people once they veered away from their commitment.

From all that is happening around us today, one can easily discern that the trust of the people in politicians has been eroded to such an extent in Manipur that no one actually feel that the politicians would come to their rescue in times of trouble.

A perfect example of this is the disappointment shown by the displaced people of Jiribam after they learnt about the cancellation of the planned visit of chief minister N Biren Singh to personally assess the situation in the violence-hit district without giving any explanation.

With their hope of returning to their respective houses with adequate deployment of security forces shattered and left to fend for themselves from the attacks of armed Kuki-Chin militants, it's no wonder that the displaced people in Jiribam district have starting weighing the idea of abandoning their homes and hearths and settling in the neighbouring state of Assam as the better option.

Every politician who is still worth his or her salt should think over the plight of displaced people in Jiribam district which remained unaffected by the violence until very recently.

Even if they have wasted over one year in petty politics, politicians in Manipur could think of redeeming themselves by working together to save Jiribam district and its people.

Perhaps, this is the last chance for the politicians to do what they ought to do if they do not want to fall from the grace of the people and spend the remainder of their life in ignominy.