Setting the priorities right Normalcy should be on top
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The focus of the people should not be lost. This is where it becomes important to question whether the people have stuck to a consistent narrative after the evening of May 3, 2023 or whether the goal post keep changing according to the agenda laid down by the power players, people who occupy positions of power and influence. And to stay focused, the correct questions ought to be raised. The latest development of interest is obviously the Delhi meeting convened on December 14 and the question should be, what was brought back from the meeting, apart from the fact that since the evening of May 3, 2023, Manipur saw Kuki and Meitei BJP MLAs sharing the same table or platform to listen to what BJP Central leaders had to say. Whether anything positive comes out from the meeting or not is besides the point, but the question is whether the very act of the Kuki and Meitei MLAs sharing the same platform can be taken to the next level. At the same time it is also important for the people to question whether any serious talk was held between the MLAs of either side before, during or after the meeting ? This question is important for the BJP MLAs went to Delhi not for some personal agenda but on behalf of the people who they have been entrusted to represent. At the same time it is also important to question whether the MLAs have discussed the possibility of holding another round of meeting amongst them at a neutral venue, say either at Delhi or Guwahati or anywhere else in India ? These are questions which the people must be raising amongst themselves for this is more important, in fact much more important than the question of when the popularly elected Government would be allowed to return. As Heirok Assembly Constituency MLA and senior BJP leader Th Radhyeshyam said, normalcy will definitely return, it is only a matter of time. Normalcy, this is what Manipur deserves and what people want but it would do good for all to take it beyond what the BJP MLA has said and not leave everything to time to do the healing act, but question what the representatives plan to do. This is where it is important to note that for the first time, after PR was imposed on Manipur, the people got to see the BJP MLAs, meaning the Meitei BJP MLAs, sitting in one venue, sharing the same platform and listening to the ideas and suggestions of the Central leaders of the saffron party. What has been stopping the Meitei and Naga BJP MLAs from jointly meeting after February 13, 2025 ? To many the answer may be obvious and to think that it is under this reality that voices have been raised on the ‘need for the popularly elected Government to return’ and the irony cannot be lost on anyone who have been following the political developments closely.
Let the BJP MLAs meet more regularly. Let them discuss what steps may be taken up to restore normalcy in Manipur. Once Manipur starts walking the road to normalcy or gets near to the understanding of normalcy, the return of the popularly elected Government is bound to follow. A basic fact that cannot and should not be lost on the elected representatives of the people. The people too should also take note of this for it remains that there is nothing to suggest that thoughts are being pooled in to let Manipur start walking the road to normalcy. The priority should be clear. First talk about normalcy and free movement on the National Highways and return of the people displaced from either Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi should always be under- stood with the need to let everyone who have abandoned their homes at Imphal and the other valley districts to return too. The need to create such an atmosphere cannot be over emphasised. The question is whether the BJP MLAs have ever jointly discussed these points or not. These are the questions which Manipur should be raising now. Doing so otherwise would amount to losing focus and it would not do anything good for the place and the people. Let the December 14 Delhi date be the start of the process for the BJP MLAs to meet more frequently. As stated, the venue can always be somewhere else, that is until free and safe movement is restored. Talks about the return of the popularly elected Government can and should come later.
Let the BJP MLAs meet more regularly. Let them discuss what steps may be taken up to restore normalcy in Manipur. Once Manipur starts walking the road to normalcy or gets near to the understanding of normalcy, the return of the popularly elected Government is bound to follow. A basic fact that cannot and should not be lost on the elected representatives of the people. The people too should also take note of this for it remains that there is nothing to suggest that thoughts are being pooled in to let Manipur start walking the road to normalcy. The priority should be clear. First talk about normalcy and free movement on the National Highways and return of the people displaced from either Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi should always be under- stood with the need to let everyone who have abandoned their homes at Imphal and the other valley districts to return too. The need to create such an atmosphere cannot be over emphasised. The question is whether the BJP MLAs have ever jointly discussed these points or not. These are the questions which Manipur should be raising now. Doing so otherwise would amount to losing focus and it would not do anything good for the place and the people. Let the December 14 Delhi date be the start of the process for the BJP MLAs to meet more frequently. As stated, the venue can always be somewhere else, that is until free and safe movement is restored. Talks about the return of the popularly elected Government can and should come later.