Uneasy calm as state limps back to normalcy
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 11, 2023 -

THANKS to the constant vigil being maintained by the security forces and confidence-building measures of the government in the form of entrusting ministers and MLAs to reach out to the people worst affected by the communal riot, there has been notable improvement in the law and order situation.

After three consecutive days of mob violence since May 3, the strife-torn state is limping back to normalcy, the evidence of which is the government relaxing curfew and extending the relaxation hours in almost all the affected districts.

Along with gradual lengthening of the curfew relaxation hours in the violence-ravaged districts in view of absence of any major unwanted incidents the additional central forces rushed in from different regions of the country has been helpful in bringing the situation to normalcy through high tension still prevails in some mixed-populated areas.

As advised by the state authority, the district administrations have been minutely reviewing the situation and relaxing curfew to enable the people procure essentials and the same exercise might be the norm in the coming days for protracted shutdown will only compound miseries of the masses.

People in large number thronging the markets to replenish stock of essential items whenever there is relaxation of curfew testifies that the public are facing immense hardships aftermath of the violence and subsequent prohibition imposed by the government on movement of people.

With at least 60 people, including women, killed and 231 people injured, and hundreds of houses belonging to both thecommunities in conflict burnt, there is no way that the government would totally lift the restriction any sooner.

The violence that erupted on May 3 and forced displacement of over 35,000 people, including uncountable number of students has done irreparable damage to the state’s reputation and would take years to redeem the same, if not totally impossible. Among others the tourism sector would suffer the most as there is no chance of any tourist visiting the state when the situation here is highly unpredictable.

Moreover, official confirmation about miscreants snatching 1041 arms and 7460 rounds of ammunition from the security forces compared to recovery of only 214 arms and 4273 pieces of ammunition till date underscore that the situation could turn volatile any moment.

The fact that hundreds of firearms are still in possession of the agitated masses would definitely give sleepless nights to the government as the said weapons could be used to settle score.

It could also be comprehended that the conflict will no more be limited to acts of mob violence such as torching houses and damaging properties of the rival community but brutal showdown to showcase that no community could be taken for granted.

Unlike in the past when any act of insanity used to generate widespread condemnations and calls for reconciliation from various sections of the society, the present flare-up has soured the relations between the two communities in conflict as is evident from statements issued to the media mainly centring on vengeful narratives as well as an imaginative war being waged on the social media.

Thus, the only hope for the masses is that the uneasy calm being experienced at the juncture does not disturb livelihood activities.