Pressing issues before the Govt : Need to walk wisely
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 21 2018 -

Pressing issues dogging the Government. One is of course the ongoing tripartite talks involving the Union Home Ministry, the State Government and the United Naga Council, the ongoing demand to legislate a law that will check the large influx of non-locals into the State and the demand raised by the Co-ordinating Body on Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee.

Tough to say how the situation will unfold, but the BJP led Government must have realised that rolling back the decision to create the seven new districts can trigger a back lash that will be ugly, very ugly and hence the question, how is it negotiating with the UNC over the said issue.

On the other hand, the BJP led Government too must be wary of the likely outcome if and when the final deal is struck with the NSCN (IM).

From territorial integrity of the State to now something more bigger, such as a no to any deal that will mean special status for Naga inhabited areas or an administrative arrangement that will provide a degree of autonomy to areas identified as Naga inhabited areas and clearly if the issues are not handled well, the situation may get volatile.

Delhi too must know this, but in striking a deal with the NSCN (IM), not everyone can be pleased, and the worrying part is how it will impact on Manipur.

Moreover can anyone expect not to give anything to the NSCN (IM) after all these years of negotiations ?

Something will be given, but the important thing what is it that will be acceptable to the people of Manipur.

Tough to say but again one cannot write off the possibility of the final deal not to the liking of the Naga people of Manipur.

In such a case then what ? No answers at the moment, but it is important for all to come to the point that a certain degree of give and take will be for the better of everyone.

Coming to the need of having a legislation to check the large scale influx of non-locals into the State, it is good to see that the JCILPS has been able to strike a deal with the UNC and the Kuki Students’ Organisation.

As stated here earlier, it will also do good to reach out to the Churachandpur JAC and see what they found so objectionable in the three Bills which were passed on August 31, 2015.

Take all on board so that there is no room for suspicion and make all come to the realisation that the Bill which is being sought is for the good of all indigenous people of the State. At the same time the people too must know that outsiders flock to the State due to huge vacuum left in the manual labour market.

Time for the local people to fill the vacuum and discourage others from coming in.

This will go a long way in plugging the pull factor that Manipur has.

How the State Government goes about preparing a new Bill remains to be seen and with the Chief Minister having already assured that such a Bill will be introduced in the Monsoon session of the Assembly, the JCILPS may be said to have been placated for the moment.

It also remains to be seen how the State Government intends to deal with the demand that they put up a good case before the Centre to include the Meiteis in the ST list of the Constitution of India.

All important issues and the State Government must surely realise this .