So near yet so far
- Imphal Times Editorial :: March 17 2018 -

Arguably the most powerful man in the country in terms of the executive power he wield is at our doorsteps today, and the public is hustled back indoors both by the uniformed security personnel manning every street, nook and corner of the state on one end and the conglomerate of proscribed armed groups on the other.

A visit to the state by the prime minister is not something that happens on a regular basis, especially a long-marginalised region as the north east of India.

Incidentally, these are the regions which are grappling with social, communal, ethnic, fiscal and law and order issues the most.

However, in what can only be described as an encouraging turnaround and positive development, the central government has started taking keen interest in the development activities of the state and has shown more than cursory interest in the social situation of the state.

It would only be to the interest and benefit of the public of the state to support such an initiative.

But understanding and cooperation comes from a process of discussion and dialogue.

When an individual or a group or even a government decides to implement a unilateral decision regardless of the cost of such decisions, conflicts arise, and in any conflict situation be it ideological or otherwise, the worst affected lot is almost always the public as has been experienced and witnessed before.

And in as volatile a society as ours, the bitter truth is yet to sink in despite the loss and tragedy such countless conflicts have brought upon the society.

It is therefore unfortunate that an opportunity to make efforts to right various wrongs in the society has been given a miss.

The inability of the state government to prepare or organize interactive session with the visiting prime minister has not gone unnoticed by many.

The media is effectively reduced to a mechanism to relay the opinions and dreams of the prime minister without presenting any opportunity to question the visiting dignitary on issues of public interest which would have helped shed light on many aspects of the present government, both in the state and at the centre.

On the other hand, the conspicuous absence of any visible effort on the part of any of the teeming organizations or groups who were flooding the media with issues they were raising for the public all these while raised many eyebrows.

The sudden communication phobia being developed by both the social groups and the state government reeks of a convenient collusion to hush up matters and put up a show for mutual benefit.

The opportunity has come and gone.

But intuition and past experiences tells us that we will be hearing of delegates from the state flying to the national capital to make representations for various social issues in the state.

Democracy is still truly alive.

PM Modi added that when he urged all the DGs of Police during their 2014 Annual Conference to broad base police recruitment so 438 candidates including 136 female candidates from North East States have joined Delhi Police consequently.