Straight talk
- Imphal Times Editorial :: December 18 2016 -

It does make sense when people across the state condemn act of terrorism, however, torturing the common people in the name of condemning terrorism is something that is hard to be accepted by all.

The sentiments and the height of intolerance is notice when the ladies of the state came out in the street and openly points fingers to the government authority over its failure to content the armed group NSCN-IM which have created all the fiasco in the state in the recent days.

But one thing that the people seem to have forgotten is that the more the people showed its anger to this group the more the demand of the armed group is appearing as crystal clear.

Now it is open that the frontal body of the NSCN-IM, the UNC has now charted strategy for creation of a Naga state by carving out portion of Manipur.

The parent body has begun its war to the state authority killing 3 state forces and leaving 11 plus 3 security personnel injured at three separate attacks in the last couple of days.

And there is no doubt that even after receiving so much support to the state government, the armed group still managed to organize mass rally at four hill district against the state government’s declaration of seven new districts.

With the way things are going on this time, one can easily notice that there is no turning back to any of the sides.

This is perhaps going to be the final bout between the team NSCN-IM and the people of the state who have been struggling every now and then for protection and preservation of the territorial integrity of the erstwhile kingdom call Manipur.

The creation of 7 new revenue districts in addition to the existing nine districts had demoralized the long strategic warfare of the NSCN-IM.

The stance of the congress party has now left with no option to the armed group but to openly declare war against the Manipur Government.

Now it’s left to the wisdom of the state government on whether Manipur of today remain as it is in the coming days or portion of it segregated to form a new state as desire by the NSCN-IM.

Historically the demands of the NSCN-IM may not be legitimate but politically they have succeeded in showing their presence to the notice of the India government and if the demand is for formation of a new state then center may not be having much problem as it has nothing to do with the integrity of the Indian Nation.

This may be reason on why the BJP which is in power at the center still did not spell out any single condemnation note to the terror strike to Manipur police by cadres of NSCN-IM.

Narendra Modi led government in the center was always in the forefront to condemn any act of terrorism but this time when such act of terrorism occurred in the soil of the state by an armed group currently ensuing in peace talk with the government of India, no message of condemnation comes out from any of the leaders of Indian government.

Now this is the juncture at which Okram Ibobi Singh Government should score more point.

He already did it by creating more districts but he needs to move on with more such bold steps to tackle the problems created by the NSCN-IM in the state.

Objection from the center regarding any strike to the cadres of the rebel group should given befitting reply.

The non-designated camps at Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong area of Manipur should be driven out using all sorts of manpower with state government at this hour.

If Chief Minister Okram Ibobi felt it important to save Manipur he should act, strike when the iron is hot.