Modi-visit postmortem : No mention of ILP, AFSPA
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: December 02, 2014 -

PM Narendra Modi at Closing Function of Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 at BOAT on Nov 30 2014 :: Pix - Bullu Raj

Even though Inner Line Permit System and Armed Forces Special Powers Act are presumed to be burning issues in the state, not a single mention of the two acronyms was made during the welcome and keynote speech of the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and subsequently of the chief guest Narendra Modi.

Obviously, the Manipur government is not keen in introducing the ILP system in the state for protecting the indigenous identity of this land in the midst of continued intrusion of outsiders into the state.

This has clearly been evidenced in the fact that the Chief Minister did not mention a single word in connection with the people’s demand for ILP system in Manipur.

On the part of Manipuris particularly those who have been spearheading the movement for a feasible statute to check the uninterrupted onslaught of outsiders, it was really a desperation.

Again, the Chief Minister was expected to iterate at least a few words on the people’s demand for repeal of the AFSPA, against which a legendary woman of the state has been on fast-unto-death for the last 14 years.

A thorough postmortem of the brief, but meaningful sojourn of the BJP Prime Minister in a Congress ruled state, that too at the easternmost edge of Indian Union, has revealed that AFSPA and ILP are not considered as serious issues by the state government despite the hue and cry of the people which has affected normal life for the last several years.

Not only the government headed by the Congress chief minister, but also the BJP Manipur Pradesh rank and file were not heard of putting up the people’s demands before the prime minister during his rare visit to the state.

When the state leaders are not serious on the burning issues of removal of AFSPA and implementation ILP system in Manipur, who is expected to come forward in favour of the people’s wishes ?

In almost all agitations right from ILP implementation to removal of AFSPA, the incumbent governments in the state have been on the safe side.

‘Blame Game’, throwing the ball to-and-fro among political leaders have been features of the long pending demands for these two greatest issues pertaining to human rights and the indigenous people’s rights.

During elections, the election manifestoes of political parties seem to be incomplete without an articulation of AFSPA and ILP.

Oratory speeches of candidates of almost all parties seem to be imperfect without a of mention of Sharmila and indigenous identity of Manipur.

However, in reality they are always bereft of actions.

It was the right opportunity for the state chief minister as well as the BJP leaders to ventilate the people’s demands for repeal of AFSPA and implementation of ILP to the ear of prime minister on his maiden visit.

By doing so, people’s confidence on them would have been raised and we could have the chance to hear the precious comments of the prime minister on these two issues.

In the midst of hectic political maneuvering among the state politicians coupled with double standard and insincere attitude, fate of the AFSPA and the ILP system remains a far cry.