That is why we are always in warring mood!

Wahengbam Rorrkychand *

A general strike called by JCILPS during pro-ILPS movement on July 07 2015 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Students' leader Pebam Chitaranjan is a martyr, Irom Sharmila Chanu is a living legend and now Sapam Robinhood is Lamjing Meira. Issues exist for each society, but do we really need the people to sacrifice their lives to bring a solution for every issue? Can't we think of saving a life instead of taking one?

In Manipur we witness at least one hero for almost every major issue. Be it the Hunger Marchers Day of 1965, June 18 uprising of 2001, AFSPA, Inner Line Permit System movement and the ongoing anti-ILPS Bill movement in hill areas- someone's life has to be sacrificed. The issue seems to gather momentum only when one gives up his or her life. The government too has acquired the dubious reputation of lending its ears only when the mass outburst their extreme anger. Here comes the anthropogenic of bandh, general strike, arson, road blockade and violence associated protest demonstrations in Manipur.

In a year we have 365 days, but looks like having around 1000 bandh and general strikes? To us, bandh and general strike remain as the only/convenient means to register a protest and give an impression to the government. Equally or even more than Manipur, crimes like murder, rape, kidnapping are happening in each and every states of India. But out there, bandh, general strikes are ever so rarely called for such incidents. General strikes are called more often by armed outfits, civil society organizations, JAC (Joint Action Committees) and local bodies in protest against government, department and even individuals. But have we thought about the pros and cons of such deeds?

The economic loss, mental depression and anguish, inconveniences face by the people, slowing down of development due to bandh and vandalism during the purview of general strike is irreparable. No one needs explanation. Thanks to myriad issues and prolific soils that help in breeding organizations/associations/ JACs in Manipur; today the state has multiple bodies- for students, women, children, human rights, cultural, sports, employed, unemployed and all other possible sections and communities of the society.

Unluckily not a single organization has come up openly against the "Bandh culture" till date. If not counted empirically, it is sure that the social unrest and regular bandh and general strike have hugely damaged our poor economy.

JAC CULTURE

The phenomenon of JAC is a unique practice in Manipur which is unhealthy as it is time and energy wasting indulging in mobocracy and more violence. The JAC does exist in other states in India but why it's so prevalent, always sprouting up and popular in Manipur?

During discussion with various stakeholders, it has been reportedly said that there is a unique practice of every rape, murder, accident cases being negotiated by so called JACs at the office chamber of the Chief Minister. And there had also been allegations of some JACs having financial irregularities in managing funds raised for the cause they are fighting for.

JAC often assume the role of police and judge by pronouncing judgment in Kangaroo Courts and has been found often to severely assault the alleged culprit and burn down houses and properties even before being proven guilty.

REASONS FOR BANDH TENDENCIES

By virtue of the prevailing law and order situation, the mutual trust between the state and people has been eroded, and crept into the blood and bones of the mass. The dearth of believing another is even reflected in our everyday life. Due to this deficiency, the populace thinks that they will not receive justice of the demand if they didn't resort to bandh, general strike or some striking violent actions.

POSSIBLE TRUST BUILDING MEASURES

The government needs to put appropriate policies to deal with murder, rape, victims of bomb blast, kidnapping, arson etc. because chances of forming JAC, imposing bandh, general strike, and staging protest demonstrations is high if the affected people are not aware about the existence of provisions to address their problems.

In various states, there is clearly written policies which states how much compensation is entitled to victims of rape, accident, terrorist activities, mass movement etc. If the state (Manipur) has such written policies, guidelines and regulations, it should be announced publicly and make the people familiar with them so that they seek judgment and compensation through proper channels instead of blaming the system and resorting to aggressive/ undemocratic means of protest demonstration just to draw the attention of the Government.

At the same time the government and concern departments need to address issues as soon as possible in order to prevent untoward incidents. Framing clear policies and guidelines on how to deal with recurring volatile situation and repeatedly highlighting them in the media would surely be helpful in controlling crimes in Manipur.

MAKING TIME BOUND

Wherever all such provisions have been made to elevate the suffering of the victims or aggrieved families, the government should have a fixed time frame for fulfilling the provision. This will boost the confidence of the public that they get help within a short period definitely even if they didn't resort to road block, bandh, arson and other violent activities.

INVESTIGATORS

The police have been often alleged to be not conducting the investigation properly and consequently the accused gets bail due to non charge- sheeting of the case in the court. This is also another main reason why there is lack of public confidence in the intervention of police in the cases of murder, rape and other crimes. If the police have investigated they would have followed scientific procedure of investigation and such kind of incident would never happen. There is a need to strengthen investigating role of police.

At the same time, the government needs to pay attention to improve the investigation ability of the police so that they are respected as professional force who finds out truth and book the culprit or law breakers.

The Scotland Yard has been respected worldwide for its investigation ability and also the CBI. The Police often complained that they are not often engaged in law and order duties so that they do not have time of investigation. In a state like Manipur where the rate of crime is high, separate investigating wing should be set up apart from the law and order duty personnel.

Hardworking and sincere investigators should be rewarded and promoted as the Manipur Police Commandoes has been done.

ROBUST FORENSIC LABORATORY

There is also the lack of an adequately set up forensic science laboratory with adequate technical staffs and latest modern equipments in the state. Many cases are reportedly lying in police stations for decades due to lack of corroborative forensic science evidences. Setting up of a new and robust forensic science laboratory in Manipur will lead to solving 100s of crimes which will in turn increase the confidence of the public and improving the law and order situation in the state.

This will ultimately led to decline of mobocracy, bandh, general strike, mushrooming of JACs, violent activities, law and order in crisis ridden state like Manipur.