Unresolved challenges
- Imphal Times Editorial :: June 07 2017 -

The recent rise in inhuman crimes of killing people in the most heinous way is not a good sign of good governance.

When no words comes out on the homicide crimes, the outburst of the state Government and subsequent show of political conviction against the increasingly violent intimidations and coercion by various armed groups operating in the state professing various lofty ideologies ranging from freedom to emancipation of the society has made the public sit up and take notice, and have even managed to enrage a section of the society.

What has sparked the imagination of the people more than the show of military strength is the swiftness and alacrity in implementing its promise.

The troubled state has been experiencing more than its fair share of unwanted and unfortunate incidents, so much so that the common people have become inured to these often violent distractions and have started reconciling themselves to this particular way of life.

But this does not mean that the very same people have given up on their hopes and aspirations of leading a simple, carefree life free from fear and violence.

On the contrary, these elusive dreams have spurred them on to try harder and fuelled their irrepressible spirit to try and rise above the travails being endured everyday.

But what exactly is the genesis of such a situation?

Would it be possible to ascribe the cause to a particular group of individuals, a particular ethnic group or a set of persons subscribing to a particular ideology?

The answer, and therefore the solution, will undoubtedly be a daunting, if not an impossible one.

And yet nothing is likely to change, let alone improve, if nothing is done to address the situation.

Someone has to make a start somewhere, and by all indications, the task will be fraught with challenges, setbacks and of course danger.

Such a perilous undertaking needs to be planned meticulously and executed precisely, with undeterred commitment and tenacity.

The obvious choice to take up such a challenge is the State Government, conceived and formed to protect and lead the society towards progress and prosperity.

The only question that remains to be answered is: is the present Government committed enough to carry out its promise and see things through to the end?

What about the various discrepancies and bureaucratic mismanagements that are, at least in part, responsible for various groups to make an excuse to resort to arms, citing betrayal and suppression of the society, allegations which, in a way cannot be discounted?

The tough stance taken by the state Government against the increasing atrocities and violent intimidation by various armed groups is a welcome and a much needed impetus in the right direction.

The much harassed public would want it no other way than to see it through, and at the same time to cleanse the government of the rampant abuse and misuse of official positions for personal benefits being practiced at present and have sadly seemed to have been ingrained into the system.

Until such stumbling blocks and aberrations in the system is cauterized, there will always be an excuse to espouse further violence and mayhem within the society.