Man of the moment
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 24, 2010 -

It is not without reason that there is something profound in the observation, 'when the going gets tough, it is the tough, who gets going,' and Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Minister Minister Y Erabot seems determined to live up to the message of this saying and at the same time demonstrate to the people that given the political will power, coupled with sincerity and honesty, there is no reason why Manipur should have earned the infamous tag of a 'failed State.'

We have acknowledged, not once but twice or thrice in this column, the tough stand that Chief Minister O Ibobi adopted while dealing with the striking Government employees as well as standing up against the Union Home Minister, over the proposed visit of Th Muivah to his birth place. At that point of time, there was a sense of optimism that despite the pressure exerted from different directions, the elected leader of the people and the first among the equals in the SPF Cabinet, will stand his ground and demonstrate to the people that there is a Government in place, who will brook no nonsense from anybody or anyone.

We still cling to this faith, but the uneasy feeling sweeping across the political spectrum that the positive change in the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers was but just a short breather, cannot be easily ignored.

In a sudden transformation, that borders on the hilarious, if the issue was not so sensitive, we found the Chief Minister and his men, dithering over Guite Road and NH-53.

The immediate priority, as we had mentioned earlier in this same column, was to ensure the safe passage of goods and passenger carriers along the National Highways, but the manner in which the Chief Minister and his men kept changing their minds over NH-53 and Guite Road, after firmly standing their ground over the proposed visit of Th Muivah, was like a bucket of cold water after a hot shower.

With NH-39, practically out of the picture at the moment, the focus of the Government first shifted to NH-53.

Then in a turn around, that took almost everybody by surprise, the Chief Minister pulled a rabbit out of his hat and decided to opt for Guite Road. We really do not know the technicalities in constructing or maintaining a National Highway running across mountain ranges or the preferred type of soil or topography of the area, but what is clear to us is the point that bringing in goods on a 200 Km, stretch would be economically much more beneficial that bringing the same over a 500 Kms stretch.

Some of the reasons cited for the Government to opt for Guite Road has been published and prominent amongst them was the condition of NH-53 as well as the security of the truckers and passengers.

The argument that many bridges would be underwater once the Tipaimukh power project is implemented, sounds technically right, but the important point is the need and the urgency of essential commodities in the State, right now.

That this was overlooked is clear and what is also amply clear is that the condition of NH-53 is fit for goods laden trucks and passenger buses to take this route. Mr Y Erabot has shown this by personally leading the stranded trucks from Jiribam to Imphal on May 22 evening.

We are not saying that Guite Road should be ignored or forgotten, but are talking about the immediacy of the issue at hand. For that matter, Manipur needs as many road links with the outside world as possible. What is remarkable is the will power demonstrated by Y Erabot against all odds to bring in the stranded trucks and this could be seen by the fact that he did not requisition any additional security forces from the State Home Department and was satisfied with ten personnel, who are detailed as security guards at his residence.

Such an unprecedented step may lead some to dub him as a maverick political leader, but the point that it has been effective is beyond debate.

That Chief Minister O Ibobi later addressed the media and briefed them about the security co-ordination initiated by the State Government with the GOC of 57 Mountain Division, the IG AR (S) and IG CRPF, is another matter and this should not in any way take away the credit from Y Erabot who showed that the writ of the State Government runs along NH-53.

In one stroke, Y Erabot has shown that he is a man who can be counted upon to deliver the goods against all odds as well as demonstrate what political will power and sincerity can do to lift the morale of the people as a whole.

The May 22 episode, was not merely about bringing in stranded goods laden trucks and passenger vehicles, but was also an overt reminder that the Government should not be taken for granted by anyone.

On the other hand, it is a tragedy for the people, that there are some people in the corridors of power, who are wont to let their personal benefits ride over the interest of the State as a whole thereby reducing the Government to something of a caricature or a joke.

The epithet 'Hero of Manipur’, bestowed on Y Erabot by the people, will sit comfortably on his head for times to come, for we have not seen the red carpet rolled out in such proportion and enthusiasm for any politician in the State as yet.

If demanded, it pays to think out of the box and take recourse to unconventional methods, which Erabot did by not bothering to approach the Home Department and the reason for this needs no explanation.