Onus on ruling MLAs, ministers to bring peace: Gaikhangam
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 17 2024: It is unfortunate that there is no governance despite there being a government, which is failing to perform its duty to the people.

If the government sincerely wants peace, it should bring together and connect the ministers and MLAs as people can neither come together nor will peace initiative commence, if the leaders remain divided, expressed Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former deputy minister Gaikhangam.

Addressing the media at his Mantripukhri residence on Wednesday, Gaikhangam urged the ministers and MLAs not to infuriate the people through false promise to bring peace, adding that the people will definitely laud if the unanimous stand is to protect the territorial integrity and unity of Manipur.

He, as a Congress worker, appealed to all concerned to stop the squabbles and instead work together for ushering in peace in both the hills and the valley, and uphold the Idea of Manipur".

Accusing the government of not taking up necessary steps to quell the violence in the state, the former deputy chief minister said that it is not unusual to witness some unfortunate incidents in the process of restoring peace and normalcy in the state.

However, the prevailing conflict is the first of its kind and the government has not been sincere enough to end the same.

He continued that the government is behaving as if it has no commitment or political will, with the chief minister, ruling ministers and MLAs seemingly avoiding cabinet, assembly or party meetings.

Not only is the situation unfortunate, people's lack of trust on the government is distressing.

As such, the government needs to be honest, committed and determined, apart from connecting with the leaders at the top level for any peace initiative should begin from the leadership, he asserted.

Gaikhangam also mentioned about the statements and comparison made with the Naga-Kuki clashes and the present situation, and pointed out that the backgrounds of the two clashes are vastly different.

He said that at the time of the Naga-Kuki clashes, the government executed its fundamental duties and there was no need to "summon" the PM.

The conflict back then was settled with the joint efforts of Naga, Kuki and Meetei ministers and MLAs.

The then leaders visited Naga-Kuki villages and took strong measures to resolve the misunderstandings.

So, the present Naga, Kuki and Meetei ministers and MLAs should stop from fanning the violence and instead take initiative to visit the locations physically.

However, there is no connectivity in this matter.

Otherwise, why would there be protests in the heart of Imphal, fire incidents near the CM's Bungalow and complete destruction of Meetei localities in Churachandpur in the presence of the DC concerned, he questioned.

Gaikhangam further expressed amid the violence lingering for over a year now, there seems to be no effective measures to put an end to either the violence or an inkling of a thought to do so no matter how late it is or how long it may take.

Instead of admitting its responsibilities, the government is rather interested in playing the blame game or deflecting with the taglirie of "the previous Congress government" when criticised, which has made it uncertain how long the current situation will continue.

It would be best for the government to stop playing the blame game, for it will become a "Tunghanbi (Tilapia)" government just like the fish, he remarked.

Gaikhangam also said that the government's remarkable speed of changing its face like a chameleon almost seems like a movie.

Instead, it should maintain its dignity, decorum and execution like a government of a state is supposed to do.

Condemning the BJP's reaction to Rahul Gandhi's visit to Manipur, the former deputy chief minister said that despite being an opposition leader, he (Rahul) came to Manipur to listen to grievances of the people.

The reason for his visit to the state was to ascertain claims made by the PM in the parliament that the violence in Manipur has subsided and normalcy restored.

It is uncivilised to demean and spread misinformation about his visit to the state.

Rahul Gandhi had apprised the Governor that there seems to be no action plan enforced on the part of the government to end the conflict, While pressing the need for doing the same.

Responding to questions from media, Gaikhangam said that the first and foremost step should be to put out the fire.

Blaming each other will not bring a solution.

The root cause will come up with the flow but the priority should be to quell the quarrel between the two sides.

Regarding 'SoO', he pointed out that if the SoO guidelines are not followed, there is mechanism for taking up necessary action.

However, there seems to be interest in enforcing ground rules of the agreement.

At the time of Congress, the matter was monitored yearly and all "mischief" disciplined, he said.

He then questioned why the number of SoO outfits has increased, while further questioning whether the call for withdrawal of SdO is due to the government's influence or due to its incompetence.

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