Speaking in the right tone : Matured approach from State BJP
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: September 05, 2014 -

Living up to the adage 'power (privilege) makes one more responsible'.

The State unit of the BJP seems to have come around to the idea of occupying the seat of power and in the process have realised the importance of taking up issues which are of importance to the people and the land.

It is not that the State BJP had always acted irresponsibly but the manner in which they seem to have come around to the idea of occupying the seat of power is a welcome development.

Perhaps nothing illustrates this better than the manner in which the State unit BJP president, Th Chaoba addressed the media on September 3. The timing too was just right.

Just one day before the United Naga Council and others were supposed to go ahead with its plans of blocking the highways that connect Manipur to the rest of the country. the State unit of the BJP came out with a mature approach to the issue at hand and made its stand clear to the people.

No beating around the bush. In one single address to the media, the State unit of the BJP made its stand clear-there is nothing better than dialogue to resolve the issue that has snowballed after the August 30 Ukhrul incident in which two people were killed in police firing and scores injured.

No rhetorics here, for what Th Chaoba said made sense and it would do the State and the people a whole lot of good if all can look at what the State BJP said without the baggage of party affiliation.

Chief Minister O Ibobi and his men may be under the impression that they have done the right thing in not responding to the voice of dissent brewing in the hills but there is no harm at all in studying what Th Chaoba has had to say.

The same thing goes to the UNC and the others who are more than ready to make their presence felt on the National Highways that have served as the lifelines of Manipur and her people all these years.

'Refusal to revoke the prohibitory orders clammed at Ukhrul district headquarters under CrPC 144 and subsequent killing of two civilians were highly condemnable', 'Chaoba recalled the miseries and woes suffered by the people of Manipur during prolonged highway bandhs and blockades in the past', 'Suggested political dialogue with public leaders of Ukhrul district'.

Without going into hyperboles, Th Chaoba managed to convey a significant point to the two parties which are on either side of the developments after the August 30 Ukhrul incident.

No bravado here, but the State unit of the BJP did manage to say what is on their mind without ruffling the feather of anyone. This is where the mature approach of the State BJP is evident, a trait which not all the political parties in Manipur can claim hands on.

'Opening fire in any attempt to control public protest is not acceptable at all' and Th Chaoba more than made it clear where the State BJP stands on the issue, which is, it is against the heavy handed response of the State.

A lesson which all political leaders and political parties would do well to digest. Taking these ideas or points to the office of the Prime Minister would be the icing on the cake.

Where the State BJP failed was in its complete silence to question the background in which the Ukhrul incident took place.

It is a pity that so far no political leader or political party has deemed it fit to question the psychological impact on the people of Ukhrul when the guns went booming on August 30.