If the dramatic disclosure of the chief minister regarding the Modi-led central government discarding requests of the state government to act on the ensuing undesirable situation in Manipur in time is anything to go by, the people in the state regardless of community, faith or ethnicity is in for the long haul before any significant improvements can be expected. Lending credibility to the claim of the chief minister is the unexpected resignation of sitting MLA of Thangmeiband citing inaction of the central government despite the obvious hardships being faced by the people of the state which is still worsening and is taking a communal hue. The chief minister went on to deny reports that the Centre had sent 4000 additional forces to the state. Meanwhile, the Home Ministry on Friday rapped the state government for ‘failing’ to discharge its ‘constitutional’ duties as it has been unable to ensure smooth flow of traffic on the road despite repeated requests. “The state government has failed to keep the National Highway-2 open, in-spite of government of India’s repeated requests and making available Central forces to assist the local forces,” the Home Minister told the Manipur Chief Minister. The conflicting claims throws up a serious concern for the people in the state as to what course of action or pressure to be applied and to whom to ease the present volatile situation and to bring about an enduring solution to the long-standing problem of distrust and conflicts of interest amongst communities.
There is however a silver lining to the whole sordid drama being played out in the form of an increasing number of civil society organizations taking initiatives to stem the tide of hatred and enmity. The looming threat of an all-out communal clash has once again brought to the fore the role these social organizations play in maintaining social checks and balances. Despite various groups trying to add to the confusion and ignite a communal conflict for reasons best known to themselves, it is safe to say that better sense has prevailed as of now. The relentless efforts of these CSOs to normalize the volatile situation and diffuse the heightened tension is showing positive results and needs mentioning. The very fact that leaders of different communities have come together and are deliberating on a course of action to ensure lasting peace in the state is a testament to the innate quest of humans to progress and evolve. It is time for the people of the state to join the race for development and personal advancement so that the state as a whole can keep pace with the rapidly changing world which is becoming a borderless global village. Embracing progress and the accompanying changes that it brings does not mean that we have to discard our social or personal identities. Rather, accepting such changes can mean the very survival of the customs, traditions, faiths and beliefs we so jealously try to uphold. Only a concerted collective effort can dispel the archaic mindset of feudalism and exclusivism. United we stand, divided we fall.
