After effects of what was said at Ukhrul : The ongoing war of words
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: March 16 2016 -
Not for the right reason but this year’s Lui-Ngai-Ni festival will be remembered for long.
If what Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang had to say during the festival at Ukhrul rubbed the wrong way with quite a number of people here, the Naga Students’ Federation went a step forward and banned the movement of all vehicles belonging to Meiteis/Manipur in Naga inhabited areas for some time.
That the ban was lifted after the State Government buckled under pressure and suspended the cops involved in the fracas with the student body is another thing, but the deep divide between the people was underlined without a doubt.
That the suspension order was revoked the moment the NSF lifted the ban on the movement of vehicles belonging to Meiteis/Manipur is another thing but already a powerful statement had been delivered.
If the student body managed to ruffle the feather of quite a large number of people, the after effects of what TR Zeliang had to say on February 14 at Ukhrul will linger for some more time, given the fact that MLA Laishom Ibomcha has lodged an FIR against the Nagaland Chief Minister at Ukhrul police station.
As things have developed, it is no longer a matter between an MLA of Manipur and the Chief Minister of Nagaland, but has now taken on a whole new turn and this is what is worrying and also interesting.
First it was the United Naga Council which came out in favour of the Chief Minister of Nagaland and banned the movement of MLA L Ibomcha in all Naga inhabited areas with the rider that the ban will stay until and unless he withdraws the FIR.
As expected, the MLA did not cow down before the threat and instead lobbed the ball right back, stating that the question of withdrawing the FIR does not arise.
On the other hand, the MLA himself laid down the rider that the FIR will be withdrawn only when the Nagaland Chief Minister withdraws his statement delivered at Ukhrul and apologises.
The MLA again followed this up with yet another statement reiterating his earlier stand.
In between the office of TR Zeliang issued a statement justifying his reported statement at Ukhrul. Both sides sticking to their stand and the stalemate continues.
Following the UNC was the NPF, Manipur State Unit, which came out strongly against the stand of L Ibomcha and issued a list of grievances against the Government of Manipur.
Clash of opinion is expected and open debate is welcome and healthy in a democracy but what is unmistakable in the war of words that has ensued since then is the deep divide between the people and this is what is unfortunate.
No magic mantra at the moment, but as repeated numerous times in this column, the time calls for more people to people contact without any preconceived notions.
The important question is who will be ready to take the first step.
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