Batting for the idea of Manipur : A look at bandh in Naga areas
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: April 25 2015 -

Bandh in Naga areas. Apparent that the United Naga Council knows its areas of influence or where its directives will run.

Something which not every civil society organisations in Manipur seem to have come around to the idea.

This explains why there are numerous so called Manipur bandh, but where its impact is felt only in the areas where the influence of the organisation imposing the ban runs.

If at all there is a positive lesson to be learnt from the bandh call, it is this admission on the part of the UNC.

Numerous reasons have been spelt out for the proposed bandh, but it still does not answer the question of how many actually subscribe to the factors trotted out so far.

The bandh will be effective, there is no doubt about it, but there still remains the question of whether there will be wide spread endorsement of the bandh or not.

Internal affairs of the Nagas of Manipur, the UNC may like to say, but the fact stands that in pursuing the agenda of the Nagas, it is not only the Nagas who stand to be affected but the whole people of Manipur.

This point should not be lost on anyone.

Any course of action initiated on behalf of any community will touch upon the daily existence of everyone.

Moreover there also remains the question of whether the bandh has been called in response to the policies and programmes of the Government or is targeted against any other community.

There may be no easy answer here, but the fact stands that the 48 hour bandh called by the UNC from midnight of April 27 will affect the whole population of Manipur and not only the Nagas, on whose behalf the bandh has been called in the first place.

Time also for the State Government to seriously mull over the question of why it has been tagged a communal Government.

A point which should not be dismissed easily but which merits serious introspection.

Why should a Government be deemed to be anti any particular community ? A relook at the policies and programmes of the Government may be in line here.

The tag, communal Government, is a point which should not only be studied by the UNC or the Naga community but by everyone here.

What are the grievances of the UNC and by extension the Naga community against the Government of Manipur ?

Is there any thing which the State Government should seriously look into and accordingly take up steps to reach out to anyone who may feel slighted ?

For too long the people of Manipur have been indulging in mud slinging and targeting each other along community lines.

Time for everyone to sit down and start thinking about the whole of Manipur and not only along community line.

Is the UNC actually doing this or are they acting only on behalf of the Naga family and putting the fate of Manipur and other communities in the line of fire ?

The name UNC suggests that it is a committee for the Nagas, but yet it also stands true that care should be taken to ensure that pursuing any cause for the Nagas or any community should not be at the cost of other communities or Manipur.

It is true that the idea of Manipur has failed to cut ice with a good number of people and this is where the duty of the State Government comes in to take everyone along with the idea of Manipur.

Time for all to come to the realisation that pursuing any agenda should not be seen as pursuing the interest of a particular community at the cost of other communities.