Clearing the way
- Imphal Times Editorial :: November 30 2016 -

And so it has come to this: while the state- or its high and the mighty to be precise- is reveling in a false sense of euphoria and portraying a picture of normalcy, even going to the extent of inaugurating schemes and projects in which hundreds of crores have been incurred for the expressed benefit of the general public, hundreds of truck drivers who have been risking lives and limbs to bring in the much essential daily requirements from across the state along with their vehicles loaded with items which are in very short supply in the state right this very moment has been left stranded at Mao, not for a day or week, but for almost a month.

Earlier, since the current edition of the ‘Indefinite Economic Blockade’ was announced by UNC as a preemptive warning against the move by the state government to announce Sadar Hills and Jiribam as full fledged Districts, there has been few instances when security escorts were utilized to bring in loaded vehicles stranded at Jiri through National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam).

Those trucks approaching the state from the Imphal-Dimapur road however has so far been neglected, and after weathering what nature and men had to throw against them for a month along the roadsides of the national highway, they are at their wit’s end, with resources drying up fast.

Their plea for help from the state government should be taken as nothing short of an insult by the administration to the concerns and increasing difficulties being faced by the general public.

Which brings up the very pertinent question: why is the state government so visibly reluctant in escorting back the long-stranded vehicles from Mao after having stated in no uncertain terms that no CSO, group, or party will be allowed to disturb the normal flow of traffic along the national highways for any reason whatsoever?

Is it a subtle hint of the hesitation of the state government in handling unsavory issues irrespective of the relevance or necessity?

What message will the administration be sending to those who are holding the blockade, or those who are planning to utilize the same approach to press for demands in the future?

Has the state government wrongly concluded that the generally permissive and accommodative yet increasingly agitated lot in the valley will not flare up even after reaching the tipping point?

On a more serious note and referring to a very recent incident, it wouldn’t be far from the truth to assume that the state government have lost its administrative hold over most of the hill regions of Manipur, and that stringent and necessary steps, however unpopular or disruptive it might appear to be, can no longer be expected from a government who have done very little groundwork to enforce and ensure that the people in every part of the state has been given equal opportunities during three terms in office.

The present ‘Showroom administration’ should be replaced by pragmatic steps and policies to ensure the future of the state is steered towards inclusive progress and development.