Tag: kanglaonline

That Manipur is in a mess today is more or less a truism. Consequently the tearing dilemma the chief minister, Okram Ibobi would be in is also unenviable. Even as the demand for a separate SADAR hills district intensified, with the agitators resorting to blocking off the main lifeline of the state, the Imphal-Dimapur road at Kangpokpi, in anticipation that the agitators may have their way, the United Naga Council, UNC, has imposed its own blockade along all the other highways that lead out of the state, thus effectively cutting off the state from the rest of the country. Thankfully though, Imphal is now very well connected to the rest of the country by air, thus offering some consolation at least for passengers. The widely held anti-valley, anti-Meitei attitudes of hill communities is also making the situation worse, as is evident from some of the press releases by the latter which try to portray the tussle between the SADAR hills district demand and those opposed to it (or more bluntly, between the demand for the creation of a new Kuki dominated district and Nagas’ opposition to it), as machination of the valley people or Meiteis. The most bewildered by this development obviously are the latter.
Under the circumstance, whichever way the chief minster inclines his decision, it is going to be seen as biased, thereby held as a legitimate reason to impose the only thing agitators in Manipur have come to know doing well, impose a blockade, bandh or boycott, all of which essentially mean the same atrocious act of disrupting life of the general public in the hope that this would coerce the government to do the agitators’ biddings. It is not entirely impossible those at the receiving end of this tussle, the valley to be precise, may also begin to lose their patience, and that will be when Manipur returns to the dark ages.

The government at this moment seems clueless as to how to tackle the problem and understandably so too. But this notwithstanding, the situation cannot be allowed to slip any further. If at all the government cannot find a way out quickly, as was suggested by a former president of the ruling Congress party, the emergency constitutional provision under Article 356 must be invoked and President’s Rule imposed in the state. This is not so much about punishing the government for allowing the situation to go out of hand leaving the state with the distinct possibility of completely descending into total chaos, but instead of finding a way out of the present dangerous problem.

It will be recalled there have been examples of what a PR dispensation can do which elected government simply cannot. This is especially so when it comes to matters of mediating or else of taking the state administration into areas that are in opposition of either ethnic or vote bank interests. Central rule being deemed to be neutral to these considerations, it can push sensitive issues much harder. Furthermore its tough gesture would be free from allegations of any valley or hill biases, imaginary or otherwise. The most prominent of these examples is the manner in which the PR government under former Governor, Gen. (retd.) V.K. Nayar, when he undertook the decision to clear the Palace Compound of encroachers from some hill districts who had actually converted the Hapta Polo-ground into a shanty town. No popular government had dared to do this or would have dared it either, because of the ethnic and political implications the action would have carried. There would also have been pulls and pushes from within the government with concerned MLAs opposing the move. The present situation is evolving to be of the nature. Since amidst the bitter ethnic distrusts displayed so far, it would be difficult if not impossible for the present popular government to resolve the crisis, let a PR administration do it. Even if the district creation issue is deferred, the PR administration would be in a much better position to forcefully open up the highways so that life returns to normalcy in the state, and any danger of ethnic tensions escalating is kept under control. The 11th session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly is beginning shortly. If a comprehensive plan to resolve this crisis is not thrashed out during this session, we for one would like to see a resort to the only trump left in hand – Presidents Rule, to tackle the issue. The important point is, a humanitarian crisis resulting out of all these blockades must be avoided at all cost, for the price to be paid if the situation reaches a critical point and tempers explode on the streets everywhere in the state, would be too heavy for everybody.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/is-pr-the-way-out/

Sharmila’s response to the invitation by Team Anna to join the hunger strike campaign to make the Union government introduce a legislation in Parliament to constitute a statutory people’s ombudsman aimed at curbing official corruption effectively, was measured and mature. The invitation was obviously an afterthought following many comparisons and questions raised in the media about the public clamour over the fast by Anna Hazare and the lack of it in the case of Sharmila who had been on a fast for a record 10 years and still counting. It is unlikely Team Anna did not know the facts of Sharmila’s status as a jail inmate and for this reason it was not totally up to her individual volition to participate in their protest strike in New Delhi. The invitation in this sense was, so to say, a token gesture, or the biblical fig leaf, to cover up what was increasingly becoming an uneasy embarrassment. It was interesting to note how a great section of the media in the Northeast rallied behind Sharmila in varying shades of outrage calling for parity of concern of the Indian public in the two cases. There was also a good section of the national media, lead from the front by Chennai headquartered The Hindu, constantly reminding the Indian public of the difference in their reception of the two cases. Most memorable of all was well known social activist, author of Booker Prize winning novel “God of Small Things” and acknowledged champion of the underdogs in the Indian state’s assimilative nationalising mission, Arundhati Roy, who lent her voice to highlight this discrepancy further. The main thrust of her hard hitting articles derided the public hysteria over the campaign against corruption as this looked only at official corruption and not that of the corporate world or for that matter the corporate media, the indication of which became quite stark after scandals like the infamous Radia tapes expose.

Sharmila was humble in her reply. She wholeheartedly expressed her solidarity with Anna Hazare’s campaign but expressed her inability to join him and his team because of her internship in a Manipur jail. She instead invited Team Anna to visit Manipur, which she described as the most corrupt of all Indian states. Her last jab should have had the sting intended. Manipur must rank as the state with one of the most corrupt official establishment. From the lowly fourth grade employees to the top bosses in the political leadership and bureaucracy, all have collectively and in a collaborative manner, ensured that corruption is entrenched not just into the system but in the psyche of the people. Even the most humble citizen today talks with a clear conscience of the need to pay bribes to get in a child or ward to a government job position as if this was the most natural and only way such things were to be done. Roads and other infrastructures constructed continually are so substandard that they cannot even withstand the onslaught of a single monsoon not because of paucity of funds but because funds were siphoned off into individual pockets. Of such works, there will be no proof needed, as they are plenty of extremely visible examples stark before everybody to see. Corruption in other states is about occasional explosive scandals that break out in high places. Corruption in Manipur, although relatively much less in magnitude, is much more in spread and extend. Indeed it has been made a part of everyday life, therefore endemic and perpetuated endlessly in an unnatural cycle. We hope, even if as just another token gesture, Team Hazare visits Sharmila after their high profile campaign is brought hopefully to a happy conclusion. That would be such a jolt to the corrupt system at in this state. We hope Team Hazare also lends its highly audible voice to Sharmila’s own campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA. They are out there on a campaign to what they believe would ultimately save India but this too is equally about saving the spirit of India.

No argument about it, putting an end to corruption would be a big fillip in the public morale and the economy of the country, considering the estimate that close to 40 percent of the Indian economy is black. But as critics have pointed out sharply and sometimes disparagingly, we hope the campaign also ultimately brings in other forms of corruption other than just the official ones. Corruption happens everywhere including outside the official realms. It includes the ways of cheating small time traders and contactors as well as those who award and approve their cheating ways. The very fact that prices sky rockets every time there is a road blockade or landslide is itself an indication of the cheating ways of many. On all these occasions, essential commodities, in particular petrol and diesel, disappear from the petrol pumps, but nonetheless begin to appear for inflated prices in the black market. How could this happen other than through the vile contagion of corruption?

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/two-fasts-too-far-apart/

Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba
It is fact that State now suffers, the economic blockade imposed by the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) which is nearing a month have taken its toll on the populace. The UNC openly opposes the district status demand and counters it by imposing an indefinite bandh along all national highways and Naga inhabited areas. The MLAs representing both communities in their contrasting stances have fired verbal bullets along the issue at the State Legislative Assembly sittings presently going on.

The state government also seems caught in a dilemma between the demand and the counter demand. Yet, the formation of a District Reorganization Committee by the cabinet seems to be the only ace up the government’s sleeve in addressing the impasse and the murky state of affairs.

Demarcation of district boundaries and the call for time (three months) to execute the workings is offered from the government, in reciprocation to the districthood demand. Maybe, after the process has been implemented, the UNC and the SHDDC may also arrive to an understanding, hopefully. The SPF governance needs to act fair and square as the issue of land is the major point of contention and has been the cause of many a communal uprising.

Each and every demand made in a democratic set up, however justified needs to be negotiated and tabled according to the circumstances prevalent. The Sadar Hills demand has encompassed more than four decades, what will be the harm for waiting another three months, in the interest of the public, one ponders ? It would be a more mature stance and yet still provide a breathing space to the suffering public. Besides, the National Highway 39 can anytime be again subjected to economic blockades or indefinite bandhs as usual if the government’s promise fails to deliver. It is understood that, the will of the Sadar Hills brethren need not be questioned, as one has observed the condition of the inhabitants of the area bearing the brunt of the blockade more than their valley counterparts. The ‘mass exoduses ‘ by the villagers due to complete breakdown of transport braving the harsh elements, lack of medical facilities, affect on educational institutions and want of essential items have taken its toll more in the striking Sadar Hills area.

Nevertheless, the SHDDC must weigh the pros and cons and address the issue in a humane manner, as since the attention of the government has been drawn. It is questionable to hold one own people at ransom when a solution of sorts has presented itself. The right to life of the public of the state should not be compromised.

Interestingly enough, when the human rights of the entire citizenry is at peril, the so called ‘defenders’, represented by various individuals and ‘organizations’ adopt a ‘wait and watch policy’. A minimal effort of sending out a press communiqué appealing to all concerned to resolve the impasse is not had at all. Many of them in their monocular vision seem content with addressing press conferences with bravado and the idealism of upholding the rights of the people, while remaining blissfully unaware of the ground reality. Maybe,it is due to the fact that their workings are objective to HIV/AIDS, environment, children or AFSPA and the sufferings of the public as a whole is inconsequential. The funds pouring in through their Foreign Contribution Regulations Act number in Euros and dollars must have to be utilized in a marginalized area. Money definitely talks and attending conferences abroad are more significant.

As of late, the concentrated outlook of many an activist, self styled intellectuals etc. nowadays lies in comparing the Anna Hazare issue to that of our own Iron Lady. Irom Sharmila , a living legend, her determination, a testament of the prowess of a Manipuri woman. Compare her with Aung San Suu Kyi  or Mahatama Gandhi or any notable figure, but positively. Mentioning that Sharmila’s struggle has been sidelined whereas Anna’s is reciprocated by the centre may be a means of propagating her stance and showing the lopsided attitude of the Union Government towards the North East, but it also shows the weakness of a society to rally to her just cause. One can’t help but feel that her agitation has been more or less ‘commercialized’ by NGOs while forgetting the actual protest stance.

But for every reasonable demand, it may be creation of the Sadar Hills district, removal or AFSPA, endeavor for a less corrupt sub continent, needs to be endorsed by the public and the concerned. Those who are rallying behind must drop their masks, rethink their myopic mindset. Let us be rid of the economic blockades and most importantly, our own mental blockades.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/of-mental-blockades-and-economic-blockades/

There are two ways of looking at the way things are developing in Manipur. One is that everybody is taking the law into their own hands. But this leads to the second conclusion, that the establishment in which hands the law should solely rest has lost its moral legitimacy and with it the authority to make the citizen trust it is there to do them good. And so here is Manipur again under a prolonged siege. Even the thought of the creation of a new district is threatening to turn the state upside down, with one group wanting it at any cost and another threatening to oppose it to any extent. Even as the siege is nearing a month, the government remains clueless as to how to proceed. The only thing it has said is that it would not be coerced into doing anything against its will and that it would execute this will on its own once a study by a high powered committee it has instituted to find out how feasible or desirable this proposed new district would be from the consideration of administrative convenience alone, is completed. But at this moment, neither those demanding nor those opposing are willing to step back an inch from where they were despite the government’s show of intent that it would proceed on the issue solely on its own will and not be dictated by any of the agitations.

What about the common man in the meantime? Does the government think that merely instituting a probe committee and arbitrating the deadlocked issue is enough remedy? For while it is doing this, there are people on the streets put to immense hardships. The poorer sections are the worst hit by the blockade consequent price rise, and if things get any worse, there is no saying they would remain calm as they have been. What then would the government do? Would it hold itself accountable for such an outcome? What it should be doing now is to firmly come clear and make the agitators on both sides understand that they cannot hold the entire state to ransom. This must be precisely by demonstrating the state can bring in provision for everybody and any form of prolonged blockades or strikes that indiscriminately make people, men and women, old and young alike suffer for no fault of theirs, would be broken up. In other words, ensure the highways are open although after convincing the agitators on both sides that justice as defined by the constitutional law of the country would be done. To give the devil its due however, we must also add that we give the benefit of the doubt to the committee looking into the matter that it would do what is just, but it must expedite its mission so that the agony of the state is not prolonged. In the meantime, let the government assure essential commodities do not run out from the markets.

If the government is unable to act on the matter then the available alternative of Presidents Rule must be resorted to. This is not altogether an indictment of the government for failing to act proactively on the matter. Nobody has any doubt in a state so badly fractured by ethnic divisions a decision on the SADAR hills will not be easy. Whichever way the decision goes, it will be cause for much bad blood and further challenges to the state’s authority. In other words the blockade is more than likely to stay inordinately. But this is just one dimension of the problem. The complex nature of the ethnic division in the state being such, darker ethnic motives, imaginary or otherwise, of the trouble being the caused by manipulation by the Valley dwellers would be attributed to whatever decision the government takes. Indications of this are already heard on many cacophonous discussion forums on the internet as well as delirious comments to web editions of newspapers from the state aimed at provoking anger, but more often than not inspire only laughter of ridicule. The limitation of the local government being such, it is not an altogether unreasonable conclusion that if at all it is unable bring an early end to the humanitarian crisis developing in the state, Central rule should fill in. Legitimate force used by the Central rule to ensure goods and passenger movements along the highway would not be interpreted as communally biased as so many would be waiting to jump to the conclusion if the state government did so. Likewise, a Central rule’s decision on whether the SADAR Hills district should be created and on what terms, would not be as prone to be smeared with communal colours by those for who have little other constructive things to do than read between the lines to discover non-existent, imaginary, sinister designs behind every political and economic development in the state. Our appeal is, let the government act immediately to ensure flow of goods into the state and in the longer term to settle the SADAR hills issue conclusively and in a manner satisfactory to all parties concerned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/devise-a-way-out-fast/

Something is just not right in the manner the blockades on the highways have been allowed to carry on with the government doing precious little. By indicating in the manner that it is helpless in dealing with the situation, the government is sending out very wrong messages to the people by and large. To the docile the message is they should resign and hope and pray for the best to come on its own. This is hardly the kind of attitude to be encouraged by any forward thinking government or for matter anybody in the position of guardianship, be it at the family level or else the larger society. To the aggressive, the message would be radically different. It would almost be a license for them to take the law into their own hands at any time they wish and arm-twist the government into submission and thereby concede to whatever they wish to have. This latter reading of the message is a sure recipe for a never ending chain of street politics aimed at coercing the public and by a relayed delivery system the same coercive message would also reach the government.

As a matter of fact, this grotesque cycle of subversion is what has already taken roots in Manipur. By its very inaction, the government has been encouraging practically everybody, including students’ bodies, to develop an unhealthy sense of controlling and possessing State power, disproportionate to what civilised norms envisaged by the democratic polity, as legitimate. Hence, insurgent groups are de facto parallel government, issuing their own decrees, levying their own taxes, raising their own military etc, but even if this phenomenon needs a far more sophisticated response, what is beyond understanding is, what is keeping the government from controlling what it is mandated to control and what is very much within its power to do so? Why cannot it take the law in its own hands and not leave it up to the whim of every so called civil society organisation to dictate terms of how and by what norms the people should be governed. We are not talking about civil society bodies which lobby or resist government policies in the positive belief that the government’s will is not rigid, and provided it is made to see reason to the contrary of how it sees policy matters at any given time it can be made to alter or even drop these policies. We instead have in mind the mutant versions of civil society bodies which have come to believe they are the government and can not only make laws but also enforce them with violence. Should not civil society bodies be actually civil in nature and limit themselves to just challenging the government in civilised norms. What we get to see when this unwritten norm is crossed is what we are seeing today – virtual lawlessness.

The current blockade scenario is increasingly turning out to be another case of this state of lawlessness and the worst part of it is the government is apparently not taking any positive step to resolve the matter. It seems to be saying that indecision is also a conscious decision. Such an interrogation of set ideas would have made fine material for absorbing postmodern coffee house academic discussions, but in matters of the hard and brutal politics of the state, such an attitude is threatening to leave everybody, especially children belonging to below poverty line families, suffer from malnutrition. In the worst case scenario, it could end up accentuating or fomenting communal hostilities. So why is the government not swinging into action. True the situation is not easy and indeed would be akin to a Hobson’s choice as a decision either way would earn the ire of one or the other group advocating or opposing the idea of the creation of a separate SADAR Hills district. But although it is a truism that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, the chief minister has no other choice but to exercise his own judgment on what the right decision should be and take it. At this moment, the most immediate need is to secure free, open and safe passage on all the national highways that connect the state to the rest of the country. One is reminded of a junior school textbook parable of a farmer and his son who went to the market riding their donkey and in trying to please everybody by doing what they presumed would please each of them, ultimately ended up carrying their donkey instead of riding it. The moot point is, the government must do whatever it needs to do to have the highways opened up totally, be it by reaching a settlement with the agitators or else using the power in the state’s command. If it is abjectly unable to accomplish this legitimate function of the state, it must voluntarily abdicate its position and make way for a spell of President’s Rule in the state to tackle the situation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/indecision-as-decision/