A turning point?
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: January 24, 2012 -

Two days back, two significant developments took place which might have a bearing on the outcome of the election to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly which is barely a week away.

After banning the Congress party indefinitely and issuing warnings against congress workers to desist from election related works which include opening election camp, hosting feast, organizing meeting, hoisting flags and lending vehicles among others, the CorCom launched a series of bomb attacks on Congress offices and residence of workers.

But fortunately all these bomb attacks did not end up in fatalities or casualties till two days back.

On this fateful day one Maisnam Ratan was killed by a bomb attack targeted at the residence of the Speaker, I Hemochandra Singh.

This unfortunate incident which led to the loss of a precious life has changed the rule of the game altogether and will have a significant bearing on the ensuing Assembly elections.

The law enforcing agencies in the state, on the other hand, seems to be totally at sea and does not appear to be in a position to come to terms with the prevailing situation.

Bombs are being hurled, kept at the compounds and gates of Congress workers and exploded at will every day.

The police have been largely unsuccessful in preventing these incidents of bomb hurling and blast.

Though various measures, we are sure, must have been put in place to foil these incidents, the result is just not showing.

Though we must concede, providing foolproof security to such a large number of individuals stretching over the whole of the valley is always going to be an uphill task.

The other significant development is the release of Trinamool Congress's election manifesto.

The party which made its debut in the bye-election in Konthoujam Assembly constituency has this time come out in strength, contesting in as many as 47 seats out of the 60 seats for the taking.

And the fact that the party is fighting the ensuing election on its own shows the confidence level of the party which many expect would turn into something tangible, making the party an important player in the post election scenario.

The manifesto covers the expected issues, like the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP), removal of Protected Area Permit totally, finding an amicable solution of insurgency problems, employment generation for the youth, empowerment of women etc.

The manifesto rightly identifies development of infrastructure in the state on a war footing as a precondition for taking advantage of the 'Look East Policy'.

The party's commitment not to allow entry of FDI in retail is also a step in the right direction.

Emphasis on Agriculture and Horticulture, promotion of tourism, strengthening PDS, providing basic amenities, improving the health care system etc are some of the salient features of the manifesto.

The party did not forget the state journalists also, promising to set up residential colonies for them, over and above ensuring reasonable wages for their work.

Interestingly, like the Congress, the Trinamool Congress manifesto is quiet on the removal of AFSPA from the rest of Manipur.

This omission of one of the most important issues in Manipur for the last decade is indeed jarring, coming from a party which among other things, also promises to defend the rights of the people of the state.