Republic Day : Yet another boycott :: Strong arm tactics of the Govt
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 29 2016 -

Yet another Republic Day has come and gone.

Yes it was held amid the boycott call issued by the underground organisations active and operating in Manipur.

Nothing new here, for this has been the story in the last many decades.

So while the State Government went all the way to instal the different gates along Kanglapat road for the march past contingents to pass through, for the people it was a day to stay indoors.

Something which has been in vogue for decades.

It was not always like this. For those who grew up in the 70s and early 80s, it was a day to dress in the finest winter clothes and watch the school boys and girls smartly march to the beat of the drums.

After the march past, it was customary for the people to head to the market areas and feed on snacks. In short it was something like a family outing to many people.

However things changed and the call to boycott the day started coming in and this is where the Government ought to apply its mind on how and why things have taken a turn for the worse.

If the boycott call from the underground outfits has become stronger with each passing year, it is also true that the Government too has been using the strong arm tactics and how this is being used is best exemplified by the case lodged in the Supreme Court against the alleged extra-judicial killings by the State forces.

The recent admission of a Head Constable of Manipur police with regard to the July 23, 2009 shooting incident at BT Road should also drive home this point.

Difficult to expound on the likely income of these developments, but it is not for nothing why Manipur is home to the longest hunger striker in the person of Irom Sharmila Chanu.

Apart from the more than 15 years long hunger strike launched by Sharmila, it is also significant to note that a case is underway at the Supreme Court against the continued imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

This is one side of the spectrum which demonstrates how the Centre and Imphal have been using the strong arm tactics while on the other there is nothing to suggest that the armed movement launched by numerous underground outfits is anywhere near a solution.

Caught in the middle of the conflict between the State and the non-State actors are the people and boycott call of this year’s Republic Day celebration was a manifestation of the stand taken by the different armed groups.

It is a pity that even after decades of the armed movement, not much effort is witnessed in trying to resolve the issue.

The Government obviously need to move beyond mere lip service and instead try to bring about a resolution. The strong arm tactics of the Government will only further alienate the people.