A Government Without Administration

Raman Shimreithing *

Assembly Building (component of Capitol Complex) at Chingmeirong, Imphal :: Pix - Danial Chabungbam

Manipur was once regarded as one of the most democratic paradisal places on Earth regardless how underdeveloped the 'once Princely State' might be. The people living in the State tasted equal meal of judgement and treatment, both the people of the valley and the hills without discrimination of any kind. The administration of all the governmental institutions and departments flourished smoothly and bloomed in uniformity.

The Manipur Chief Ministers right from the era of Md. Alimuddin to the period Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh, all the governmental departments and institutions , both in the hills and valley , were equally running smoothly to the public satisfaction. They could be considered as the 'Champions of the State' in the contemporary history of Manipur because they looked after the administration of the State, without any lies or concealment to the public, in accordance with the manifestoes and programmess they had solemnly promised in oath to the people.

For they served for the benefits and worked in accordance to the wishes of the people, their socially dedicated images and footprints would always be praised and appreciated in the history of leadership of Manipur. Their past exemplary unbiased social services to the people of the valley and the hills of the State during their eras will pass on from generation to generation.

With such champion leaders in continuation, Manipur would have been one of the most developed States by now. But that paradise is lost forever from the State now with the entrance of unpopular, insensitive politicians like Gaikhangam, a pipeline dreamer for Naga's freedom, and Okram Ibobi Singh, who has been serving as interlocutor in the bilateral talks between India and Naga for more than a decade since. Both of them, totally ignoring the administration of the State concentrated on their own dreams, invoking a new kind of development where only the few enjoy the privilege within the given lawless administration; there is no hope and space for the poor.

Anything could happen, even in a democratic form of government, relating to its administration of a ruling government in the midst of complete absence of opposition party. It's already been more than a decade now with no party to keep in check and vigil against the ruling government for proper maintenance and function of its policies. The condition of the State's administration has been deteriorated and paralyzed for more than a decade now and it is the people of its soil who suffer the most.

For the first time in the history of Manipur, with the introduction of self-importance personalities like Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam shifted the tide of democratic administration to suppression of all governmental appointments except for the military purpose for over a decade leading to the paralysis of its past glorious administration. The complete breakdown of the State's administration could be regarded as the 'Paradise Lost' for the people of Manipur. The rise of Okram Ibobi and Gaikhangam to power has seen a closing chapter of democratic rule in the State.

Adolf Hitler looked upon the Jews as mere chickens for slaughter, likewise both the leaders look upon the people of Manipur in the same way, being communalistic in nature. Instead of serving for the public interest, both the leaders took plight in rioting communal crisis among the different tribes of the State and the conflict arising out of it becomes their particular interest. Both the leaders do not believe themselves in creating good image for the future, and indeed, have never been sacrificing their times for public cause.

In a democratic country like India, Manipur is the only State which has been surviving with no appointments for more than a decade hence; all the departments except Police Department, eventually led to complete breakdown of the State administration. Automatically, all those educated unemployed youths have to seek alternative jobs outside the State. Continuing his third innings, Okram Ibobi has discarded any civil department and dedicated himself entirely in accelerating Police Administration.

In the meantime, with no stronghold Opposition party to keep in check against the ruling government, and with the Central Government remaining deaf and dumb to the calls of the people of Manipur. Such provocative nature of the ruling government has been intensified, thus forcing literate poor ones to sail out of the State in search of some alternative jobs. Such nomadic life is uncalled for in a modern democratic country.

The practice of prejudicial game even within the elected Congress party members could be seen in the present era. For instance, during the SPF Government in the State when Y. Erabot Singh was holding FCI portfolio, a blockade at the side of the highway of Jiribam captured those trucks carrying rice heading for Imphal. Seeing the pitiful condition of the public, the brave FCI Minister insisted to fetch those stranded trucks and requested the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to give security for the purpose.

However, the latter declined the proposal. Nevertheless, the former brought home those trucks in safety with some escort, there; the people of the valley greeted Erabot in amazement, garlanded him and honoured him as 'Hero of Manipur'. Yet the festive mood of the public was only short-lived. Out of sheer jealousy, the Chief Minister stripped the FCI portfolio from Erabot. Likewise, such devilish game could be seen even within the ruling party being played by some selfish politicians.

Imagine – how people has been surviving in such a suffocating administration with no work, no appointment for more than ten years now. Knowing his misrule for the second consecutive term, it is unwise on the part of the Central Government to deny/betray the wishes and the fulfillments of the people of Manipur. And who is to be blamed for choosing the same tyrannical ruler to remain in his office for another term to commit the same mistake. This has led to tarnishing all the democratic principles and usher in a new kind of authoritarian type of government in the State – 'Government without administration'.

Both Ibobi and Gaikhangam attempted to monopolize the administration of the state totally into their own hands where capital plays an important role in their regime. Both of them were the first leaders to have created such communal riots and violence in the State. While among various tribes of the State were busy staging to the fields of conflicting with each other, they hurriedly dressed up for their own schemes and projects of collecting non-plan salaries from all governmental institutions and departments including those contract-bills without work orders.

If the CBI is supposed to raid their premises, both the leaders would definitely be heading for the 'dark side of the world'. Both the leaders used tricks something like appeasement policy against the Central Government so that, regardless of the people's proposals, with no fear they have been able at wheeling the State's administrative tools freely for their own beneficiary in such a barbaric way. Okram Ibobi Singh may be considered as the worst chief minister in the history of Indian States.

And the most suffered people – the people of Manipur - are still wondering why Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC President Sonia Gandhi still let him continue to rule the State at his own freewill without the consent and knowledge of the people comprising various tribes of Manipur. Why is the Central Government still remaining silent regarding the perpetual crisis in the administration of the State?

Remember, right from the very entrance of Okram Ibobi Singh as chief minister, he completely ignored most of the development programmes of the hill areas particularly that of the Nagas. For instance, how come a unit of some Imphal valley high school's teaching staffs are greater than the combination of all the schools' teaching staffs of Ukhrul District! The Chief Minister concentrated to be a champion of his hometown – Thoubal as if to create the new capital of Manipur.

He dedicated most of his time visiting inaugural functions like 'Flyover Bridge' which the central government sanctioned the bill for the purpose. For the moment, Ibobi is busy attempting to build a Five Star Hotel by destructing the colony of Naga River for another future inaugural function and it will surely become a laughing stock. Building such luxurious accommodations here at greater Imphal while the tribals in the outskirts still dwell mostly in huts like that of the ancient period even today is an irony.

Ibobi is to be blamed for punishing his own people with such dirty tricks. Enough is enough. He is someone who could be a great leader. But in his regime, people witnessed countless inhuman incidents, like not permitting Th. Muivah, General Secretary of NSCN (IM), to pay a visit to his native village, setting up agenda of creating Sadar Hills in namesake for the purpose of inflicting hatred between the Nagas and Kukis, directing the Chandel incident (of harassing one Manipuri actress by one NSCM (IM) Livingstone Anal) to blocking Ukhrul Road as a vengeance against the Chandel incident.

Ibobi's such untoward retaliation and imposition led to destruction of huge properties and countless vehicles plying there were torched and set on fire. It was during the eve of Christmas that thousands of Tangkhuls especially staying abroad who return home remained as hostages at Imphal Town. It was a Dark Year for Christianity; manipulating in the State's last MPSC exam. Since money is the only key to success, there's no place of hope for the poor. Anything is possible if you can afford the recommended amount; Ibobi's unsuccessful attempt to grasp the central Government's sponsored construction-work programmes from BRDF for improvement of communication around the rural areas.

The case was challenge in court and Ibobi lost the game; Ibobi even talked of a dispute and ownership of Manipur's titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba's property by compensating according to the latter's satisfaction. For fear of such odd policy, the King approached NSCN General Secretary Th. Muivah and sought Naga's help; the people of the State witnessed such very rare and ghastly happenings often in the State ever since Ibobi came into power.

Countless incidents had occurred so far within the State. Intensifying the discontentment against ugly nature of government's policy, there has been continual unrest blockades and strikes in the State. Just being a chief minister is not enough; Ibobi wants to play a foreign minister too in the neighbouring countries like Myanmar of the North Eastern States of India.

Continuing his third consecutive inning, probably his last journey in the dirty world of politics, it is uncertain that the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh hasn't shown even a single good image of himself to be remembered in serving the people of the State. For the first time, his reign is yet to be recalled as a tyranny and foreign rule in nature, where only the few rich enjoyed the privilege within its fabricated administration, in the history of Manipur. The Central Government shouldn't entrust such half-hearted man to be a leader of the underdeveloped State like Manipur in a democratic country. The State is on the verge of turning into dust and bones.

And it is unwise on the part of Central Government to remain deaf and dumb, for over a decade, against the prevailing undemocratic and lawless administration of the State. Yet still, choice is given for the Central Government to realize the prolonged sufferings of the people and to urgently intervene and stop its unwanted administration and set up a democratic type of administration in Manipur or such aristocratic rule to go on. India, being a democratic country, cannot carry on ignoring one her respectable Sates – Manipur - her final decision must be given at this crucial and restless juncture. All the Indian States are developing. The only unfortunate is the Manipur swaying backward as if decaying.