Where is the Government poser No rule of law since 2023
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The hostage drama is scary and at the moment the scariest part is the Government does not seem to know how many are exactly being held hostage on either side. Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, while interacting with family members of the man killed by Kuki militants at Joujangtek on May 13, conveyed that the Government has put forward its best foot to secure the release of more than 38 persons being held captive by either side. Twenty four hours later, no one seems to know how many are still being held captive by either side with official reports coming in that 28 from either side have been released (14 Nagas and 14 Kukis), while unofficial reports have also come in that till date 6 Naga men and 17 Kuki men are yet to be released. This goes against the number of people being held captive by either side, as per the figure given by the State Home Minister on May 13, presenting a perfect script for confusion to creep in. The Sangai Express is also among those confused, not really knowing how many are still being held captive and how many have exactly been freed. An example of the Government still not in a position to know of how many are actually being held captive and how many have actually been released ? Certainly this is not how a Government is expected to respond to the unfolding situation. First thing first. The Government should give a clear cut answer on the number of people being held captive on either side and also give an exact figure on the number of people released so far. This is what is expected from the Government and one hopes the confusion is cleared by May 16. The confusion created is also a reflection of how pathetically the Government has failed in its duty of assuring the safety and security of the people and this is unacceptable. Time to show that there is a Government in place and this is where the people in positions of power and influence need to move beyond words and show it means business by deeds. The presence of the Government need not be demonstrated only when men in positions of power and authority decide to move around and in the process bring traffic to a grinding halt for the common people. Time to move beyond this and show that it means business. Even as the Government seems to be groping in the dark on how to secure the release of the people being held captive, talks of ‘prisoner exchange’ are doing the round and this should reflect where the Government stands in the perception of the people. Show there is a Government in place. These are points which dominate conversations between friends and neighbours in any leikai of Imphal today and surely this is not a good reflection of the Government by any yardstick.
For too long the Government has failed the people of Manipur. Since the evening of May 3, 2023 there is nothing to show that there is a Government in place and this is something which would not have blown over the heads of anyone in Manipur. The only time, and the only time, the presence of the Government is felt is when any of their netas decide to move around with all the security coverage and bring traffic to a grinding halt for everyone. Galling is the term that comes to mind and so while the Government continues to show its presence with their siren fitted vehicles and expect everyone to take a diversion or stop their vehicles to give them the right of way, many parts of Manipur continue to burn. It has been days since no one from Ukhrul is able to take the Ukhrul-Imphal road via the usual route. It has been years since no Meitei can take the Imphal to Dimapur National Highway and it has been years since no Kuki can come to Imphal to take a flight to go to Guwahati, Shillong, Delhi or Kolkata. And what are the security personnel doing ? Satisfied with just watching the drama of human tragedy unfolding before them ? More importantly what has the Government done to pull them up and ensure the safety and security of everyone. Even as this commentary is being penned down, information has come in of the Naga people demanding to know what has happened to the six Naga men who have been held captive by the Kukis for more than 24 hours now. Or are they also going to be included in the list of missing persons ?
For too long the Government has failed the people of Manipur. Since the evening of May 3, 2023 there is nothing to show that there is a Government in place and this is something which would not have blown over the heads of anyone in Manipur. The only time, and the only time, the presence of the Government is felt is when any of their netas decide to move around with all the security coverage and bring traffic to a grinding halt for everyone. Galling is the term that comes to mind and so while the Government continues to show its presence with their siren fitted vehicles and expect everyone to take a diversion or stop their vehicles to give them the right of way, many parts of Manipur continue to burn. It has been days since no one from Ukhrul is able to take the Ukhrul-Imphal road via the usual route. It has been years since no Meitei can take the Imphal to Dimapur National Highway and it has been years since no Kuki can come to Imphal to take a flight to go to Guwahati, Shillong, Delhi or Kolkata. And what are the security personnel doing ? Satisfied with just watching the drama of human tragedy unfolding before them ? More importantly what has the Government done to pull them up and ensure the safety and security of everyone. Even as this commentary is being penned down, information has come in of the Naga people demanding to know what has happened to the six Naga men who have been held captive by the Kukis for more than 24 hours now. Or are they also going to be included in the list of missing persons ?