Thangjing pact: Crucial test ahead for signatories
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 25, 2022 -

THE agreement arrived at between Committee on Protection and Preservation of Historical Rights of Koubru and Thangjing Hill Ranges (CPPKT) and Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Henglep block on Monday to withdraw all the press statements issued earlier related to disenchantment over the Thangjing hill range shall have to be upheld in the true spirit of the pact as the very issue has the potential to create serious geo-political situation.

For the past few weeks, the Thangjing hiII issue had triggered a fierce debate on the social media platforms.

Though the agreement, aimed at de-escalating the tense situation, seems ambiguous the same spirit and approach of rapprochement should be the basis whenever any dispute arises in the future.

The credit for bringing the parties in dispute to the negotiating table unarguably goes to the police department led by its director general.

Having succeeded in preventing escalation of the situation and averting possible ugly turn of events, the public would now believe that the police would continue to closely monitor the situation, regularly examine the social media posts and initiate punitive actions against any party that deviates from the deal signed or any individual found trying to vitiate the atmosphere.

Among other agencies, it is the cyber-crime unit of the police which will have to shoulder the responsibility of rounding up and giving exemplary punishment to rumour mongers so as to drive home the message loud and dear that the establishment wouldn't tolerate any attempt to rake up the issue by spewing venom in the society.

Accepted that it would be difficult for the law enforcement agencies to entirely blackout provocative posts on the social media or identify the trouble-makers but when some individuals could be branded as rogue elements, pulled up and jailed for passing comments critical of government policies there is no valid reason why those trying to undermine religious sentiment of any group should be spared.

Moreover, when certain communities could justify expression of contemptuousness against the establishment's move to get rid of religious structures from government residential complexes, it is but natural for the Meetei people to construe restrictions imposed on religious activities atop Koubru and Thangjing hills as outright affront to their religious sentiment and traditional practice.

Amid such a tense situation, it is commendable that Kuki Students' Organisation, Henglep Block has made it clear that there would be no strictures on pilgrimage to Thangjing hills.

Though the students' body reiterated that all other non-religious activities, including tree plantation programmes shall have to be carried out with the consent of the local villagers, such an assertion is unlikely to evoke any serious reaction from the masses as it would be the prerogative of the government to decide whether or not to endorse the KSO's stand.

As Manipur has been comparatively free from religious jingoism and consequent repercussions, the same trend in the multi-ethnic state should be promoted with civil society organisations taking the lead.

Without the proactive involvement of civil societies in settling sensitive issues the objective of right-thinking Citizens for collective effort towards achieving the common goal of prosperity would get diluted by the shrieks of divisive elements.