Process of updating electoral roll: Crucial responsibility

The responsibility is immensely crucial. This is what should be understood in the tough talk that Chief Minister N Biren delivered while commenting on the process of updating the electoral roll. And why should action be taken only against Block Level Officers for it is hard to believe that it could be the handiwork of such officers to get the names of dubious personalities included in the electoral roll. The apprehension that many, whose names should not be in the electoral roll, but are in fact there, is real, very real and this is central to the cry against the changing demography of the place. A look at the demographic composition of Jiribam and the names given to some places in this district should underline the point that is sought to be made here. Why is there the uncanny fear that political influence and political power may soon go to the hands of non-indigenous folks if care is not taken right now ? The demand raised by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) to regulate the large scale incursion of non-locals into the State, should also be seen against this backdrop.  The ST demand put up by the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee (STDCM) should also be seen against this backdrop, for political protection is what the people need, especially when there is the growing need to protect the indigenous folks from external forces and influences. It is also important to question why action should be taken up only against Block Level Officers, in case names of non-citizens are found in the electoral list. On the contrary the names of non-citizens found in the electoral roll should ideally be seen against the backdrop of vote bank politics  mastered by some elements who may come under the garb of political leaders.
This is where it becomes important for the Government to heed the call of the JCILPS and especially focus on areas which are notorious of non-citizens outnumbering the locals. It is best left for the Government and the JCILPS and the public to come together and identify the non-citizens. One reason why the Government would do well to take all into confidence and go ahead with the process of identifying who is a genuine settler of Manipur and who is not. It is a scary thought that if no proper care is given, the chances of non-citizens of the land deciding the political course of the land and the people is a distinct possibility. This is the responsibility of the present generation and there are examples which may be drawn from others to understand, how original settlers of a land have been displaced by mass scale and unchecked incursion of outsiders. At the core of the call of the Chief Minister and the JCILPS is the need to see that the political process of the land is not hijacked by anyone. There are already examples, and it is important for all to draw from the examples and ensure that the political future of the land is not thrown open for anyone to come and pillage. The task ahead should be clear to all and it will require political will and the willingness to acknowledge the pressure of pulls and pushes from across the border.