Need to present a strong case : Is the Government ready ?
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 11, 2023 -

As noted earlier in this very column situation seems to be limping back to normalcy and this is saying something a lot.

Appeals for peace and sanity have come puring in from different quarters, even as reports have been received that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is keeping a close tab on the developments unfolding across the State.

But it should be more than obvious that Imphal cannot remain satisfied with just the return of a semblance of peace and normalcy for it is from here that the Government should seriously start to look for ways on how to mend fences with a long term vision.

Any short cut approach will not do and this is something that must, be acknowledged by all.

This entails that doors should be kept wide open for inputs from different civil society organisations, the intellectuals of the State and those who are wiling to share their thoughts, vision and ideas.

What would be the best way forward for the Government is then the question that arises.

No easy answer here, but the priority of the Government should be clear and it should have a well charted out plan to present the case of Manipur before the Centre when the time comes.

Just how prepared is the State Government to present a case that is in the interest of Manipur ?

This is where the Government would need to go back to the decadal head count otherwise known as Census, the depleting forest cover down the years in Manipur, the satellite pictures of the forest cover as well as poppy plantations as well as a figure of the number of drug consignments that have been detected and confiscated and the thumber of people arrested.

These are evidences that Imphal would need to present to New Delhi and more importantly the world to nip any efforts, from either side, that may staged to play the victim card.

Obviously this would not be an easy job and this is where it becomes important to ask if the office of the Chief Minister has a team to conduct the needed research and present a Water tight case.

So far, other than the Chief Minister, Manipur has not really seen any member of the Council of Ministers spelling out the stand of the Government on issues which are crucial to the idea of Manipur as a geo-political reality.

Is it a ease of none or the Ministers having been given the green signal to speak on the current issues besieging the State or is it something else ?

This is a question which only the Government can answer and this is where it becomes important for the office of the Chief Minister to have people who can roach out to Now Delhi and the world to present the case of Manipur in clear cut terms.

Reaching out, this Is what the situation demands and the Government as well as the numerous civil society organisations, which have all hatted for the Idea of Manipur as a distinct geo political reality, should be prepared to see how much they can reach out to the places It matters.

Manipur ls In the news and like In the past, It Is for all the wrong reasons and here It becomes incumbent on the part of the Government to present Its case In a manner that would be palatable to all.

And obviously to come anywhere near this, It should be well prepared.

Just how much is the Government ready to listen to suggestions and Inputs from the people who matter Is the moot point.

The task ahead of the Government should be clear.

It should be In a position to present a strong case before the world and New Delhi and for this, It should be well prepared.

Presenting the case of Manipur should not be taken to mean that the Government has taken up sides with any of the two opposing sides.

To come anywhere near this objective the Government will need to walk the tight rope and for this It should be ready to listen to the grievances of either party.

And tall tales and playing the vlctim card cannot obviously be part of the story or version that should be presented to the Government.

As suggested nere earlier, as an application has been filed In the Supreme Court, let there be an Independent SIT to probe the whole matter.