Nonsense galore
- Sangai Express Editorial :: November 15, 2008 -

Placing bombs at the residences of Government officials, businessmen, petrol pumps, opening fire at the residences of some people, setting deadlines for some professionals or businessmen or Government officials to surrender or else face the consequences for monetary demands, etc are all indications of the rot that runs deep in the State and is also a clear indicator that the people of Manipur have been bullied into quiet submission by some unscrupulous elements.

Inter-State buses staying off the road following threats from one or two or three militant outfits, business establishments told to shut down until further notice all point to the fact that the Government has totally failed to instil a sense of security amongst the citizens.

This situation itself is galling and revolting, but what has added to the sense of the quiet outrage which the people have been keeping up bottled inside is the fact that all these nonsense is being staged by some groups espousing highly sounding principles and ideals such as fighting for the lost sovereignty of the land or taking up a struggle for the cause of the common people.

On the other hand we have a meek, no very, very meek public who have deemed it better to live with the mischiefs of these elements for fear of sticking their necks out.

We wonder where the valour of the Manipuri people has disappeared or is it just meant for some bed time stories ? There is a limit to everything and frankly the time has come for all the people to rise as one and take on these groups of gangs, who are nothing more than common thugs.

The modus operandi that these groups employ is easy enough. Trigger a bomb blasts somewhere to show that they have the fire power. Issue a press release, mouthing some high sounding principles and then once the name of the group is announced to the public, start serving extortion notes on some targeted individuals.

In all these cases, the key aspect is fear. Instil fear so that their monetary demands are met without any resistance. To neutralise such elements, the people as one should have the gall to tell them to go and fly a kite or hang themselves.

Another aspect that the people should be wary about and study minutely is the unholy nexus such groups maintain with the political class.

Without their patronage, such groups will not be able to survive and once this nexus is established, take a stand to discredit such political figures.

For too long the people of Manipur have been witnessing and tolerating the nonsense that is played out in their name and if the situation is allowed to go on without even a whimper of a protest then the people will surely become the laughing stock of everyone.

We have been spineless for too long. It is time we stood up and assert ourselves or else these elements who are no better than the lowest of the scums will ultimately prevail upon the land.

On the other hand the Government and its law enforcing agencies too need to go that extra mile to instil a sense of security among the people and the first thing to do is to demonstrate sincerity of approach to the issue at hand.