One dangerous trend that has reared its ugly head in Manipur during the last few years is the tendency to interpret everything along the hill-valley divide and while such a situation may suit the purpose of some vested interest elements, it can only mean devastation for the whole State and the people in the long run. We have seen and experienced that many incidents have been unfailingly given a communal hue and while it is to the credit of the general population that no communal confrontation has taken place, there is no denying the fact that some elements are out to ignite communal hatred and suspicion and the biggest tragedy is to see some people falling for the well laid trap. Not everything is right with the Government, we certainly agree.

However to identify the State Government as serving the interest of only one community, the Meiteis in this case, would be going a little too far. At present there are some pressing issues confronting the State and in each of these cases, the hill-valley dichotomy cannot be missed and this is what is worrying. Churachandpur is burning.

From the story of IED victims to the exodus of Hmar villagers to neighbouring Mizoram and the allegations of mass rape of Hmar women by members of two Meitei dominated underground outfits at Lungthulien on January 16 this year, Churachandpur fits the description of a place plagued by mayhem and gore and if we may add communal distrust and animosity too.

We certainly agree that the people of Churachandpur, especially in the interior areas have suffered a lot during these last few years, caught as they are between the armed organisations on the one hand and the security force on the other, but to give a communal tinge to the situation prevailing at the far flung places would be stretching things a little too far.

In fact the situation is such that an ethnic based organisation from Churachandpur e-mailed a press statement to the office of this newspaper demanding that the victims of IED blasts and the supposedly rape victims be compensated adequately within April this year or else the repercussion would be borne by the majority community.

We edited this part when we carried the statement as a news item in the March 30 issue of this paper but today we comment on it because the statement reflects how some elements have given a communal colour to the situation prevailing in the far flung areas of Churachandpur.

From the Naga dominated districts of Manipur, which have raised the demand for Naga integration now to Churachandpur, which have started to point its fingers at the majority community, everything seems to have been interpreted along the line, “The majority versus Us the minorities.”

Such posturing is dangerous and if not checked on time could prove to be the proverbial ticking time bomb.

By all accounts there seems to be a method in which the voice of dissent against the majority community has been raised from the hill districts in quick succession and simultaneously.

Our stand on the matter is clear. No communal posturing should be allowed to take roots and for this to happen, the conscientious citizens of the land need to raise their voice and reason with the people.