Yet another Administrative Fiasco in Manipur

Yumnam Ashok *

It always seemed to me that the Government's initiative to black top the roads comes once in every 5 years when the elections are just around the corner.

And I believe we behave too harshly to the people in power when we expect them to understand that we would like them to be topped up more often. I mean just think about it.

They have a full time job conniving ways to ensure their family and their descendants for at least 7 generations don't have to lift a finger to work by dipping their hands in the state's bank balance.

Well, what can I say? The duty to the people comes only once in 5 years. How can we possibly on this earth, in the physical world that we inhabit expect them to think of public welfare more than once in 5 years?

I, for one, am entirely happy the way the Government is functioning. Whoever comes to power will behave in the same way. I keep my expectations realistic so that I m not disappointed. But a strange thing happened a couple of days back. I was listening to the radio for news.

No electricity meant no news on the television. No, that's not the strange thing. The strange thing was the public announcement on the radio.

It is with great surprise and 'darn, I have been so wrong' feeling that I inform you that now it is mandatory for both drivers and pillion riders to wear helmets two days from now. I don't know about you, but this news fills me with a good tingling sensation all over.

That the police department should care so much about us that they can remember the ordinary two wheeler driving (and riding) public when they are facing a law and order situation in the state is a jolt out of the blue.

That they gave the public a dizzying 4 short days to implement the rule speaks of their dedication and the urgency of their care.

Forget the fact that in a small place like Imphal where the two wheeler population numbers in the ten thousands and the shops selling helmets numbers in the tens there is going to be a lot of inconvenience just finding a helmet.

Forget the fact that in a totally unregulated market, unscrupulous traders will hike up the price on helmets, where one can't be even sure of their quality too, and retire from selling after this because of all the profits.

The fact that now all drivers and riders will be protected while driving at mouth dropping speeds of 5 km/hr from one pothole to another in a town where the main street is all of a length of 5-6 kms and choc-a bloc with traffic and streets narrowed by shops and parked vehicles is a matter of great satisfaction.

The satisfaction comes from the realization that I have been so wrong about the law and order department of the state. I remember running home after I saw the poster at the Keisampat end of the Paona international market reminding the public that 'they stay awake so that we can sleep in peace', because I had soiled my pants laughing.

I had my wrong misconceptions driven home when I and some friends were taking a walk one evening. We were searched and prodded in the name of maintaining law and justice in the state by the police at the busiest junction in Imphal.

Every question from genealogy to profession to food preferences exhausted, the police personnel offered to hang on our mobile SIM card for 'safe keeping' because we had forgotten to keep proof of ownership on our bodies.

You never know where the SIM card has been if it has not been verified by the police right? When we graciously turned down this gesture of goodwill 'beyond the call of duty', it turns out it wasn't a suggestion but a law (don't you know this is Manipur? were his exact words).

Before this even sunk in, he had graciously pointed out the inconvenience that we would go to if we were to walk home and bring proof of ownership. Besides, the point was moot if the SIM cards were in our names or not.

For all this, he just wanted us to buy some tea for him (between friends, he said). We thought what the heck is a little extortion among friends and paid up.

Call me biased but after that I have always thought of the Police Department as someone who would point out all the wrong things I was doing like walking on the road, driving between potholes, breathing, living whatever and give me a solution for that and all they ask for is a cup of tea.

Very cheap if you ask me. I have been given to understand that in other states they have to pay salaries for service like that.

So what do I propose to do? Given that I wont be able to find a Helmet even in Guwahati because of all the demand in Imphal, and that the Police Department would be out in arms enforcing this rule, I have no choice but to walk if I want go anywhere.

Besides I need the exercise.