If a week is a long time in politics- then fifteen years is eternity. The vagaries of politics and the fact that things change very quickly has been proved otherwise in the context of the state of Manipur as social unrest, disruptions and public protests have been the order of the day for as long as one cares to remember. Despite the protracted scramble for development and progress in a comprehensive manner, the irregular spurts of activities, especially last minute frenzies and haphazard efforts still defines the work culture of the present government with precious little emphasis on smoothening the ever present ethnic and communal conflicts and confusions. The unfortunate and undesirable situation everyone is experiencing in the society today is evidently a culmination of the built-up of the long neglected issues and problems much of which could have been avoided or dispensed off had the authorities been proactive and took up the matter in time. The way things stand now, most of the issues plaguing the society and are being dumped on the state government are ones which will not have a single or ideal solution, given the arbitrary nature of the issues themselves. The situation is aggravated by the very nature in which the state government and the authorities are handling the matter, playing to the gallery and continuing with its power and popular politics instead of critically engaging with the society, accountability and citizens in the conventional and newer spheres of administration so that it can adapt to the changing preferences, sensibilities and aspirations of the people in the state.
As of today, the state is beset with protests, agitations and pressures from every quarter. The intensifying agitations and protests for implementation of ILP system in the state, the various JACs clamoring for justice for various crimes, the increasingly vocal objection to the demand for the ILP system by various tribal bodies, and the ensuing agitations against inaction by the government regarding the candidates who have passed the examination for the selection of policemen have collectively brought the state to a standstill, and in all probability, things are destined to get worse.
The unfolding social conditions have rendered the idea of a normal life a thing of the past. Children have been subjected to uncertainties and exposed to the ugly truth of public protests and destructive mob mentalities- aberrations which should have been kept at bay but are now a part of their young lives. Every development activities have come to a standstill, widening the already distant gap in development with the rest of the country.
The government should stop pandering to the destructive forces or pacify the vocal demands and shake off the air of despondency. It is time to take a resolute stand and deliver its decisions. It should be prepared to face whatever repercussions such actions might incur. It is time to assert authority and decisiveness before things get out of hand. Soon.
