A student of class XI was killed and Imphal is reeling under mass protests and demands for introduction of a legislation which will assure the safety of the Indigenous people of the state. It is over 20 days now since the flare up but the people of Manipur has yet to hear a single mention, either of concern or cognizance, of the tribulations being experienced today from the Prime Minister of India. The Prime Minister which utilises almost every possible media channels including the social media sites to the maximum potential has surprisingly not spoken a word regarding the things that is happening in the state. Perhaps Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinks that these are state matters- to be handled by the state government, and therefore does not necessitate his official intervention and, while his conduct on the matter might even be politically correct, but the overwhelming faith bestowed by the country on this man as the true leader of the people is not worth mentioning.
State government reports about the intrusion of Myanmarese troopers inside Indian Territory at Ukhrul district of Manipur along the Indo-Myanmar border and causing collateral damage at Choro Zingshophai and Aloyo villages on April 18, 2015 does not worry the Narendra Modi led NDA government at the center but they do accord serious consideration to the Myanmar government’s allegations about the constructions by Indians near border pillar number 78 (BP-78), which the civil society organisations of the state claimed to be Indian territory. The directives of the Union Ministry of external Affairs to the Manipur state government to clear all sort of constructions and materials piled up near the BP-78 along the Indo-Myanmar border (as reported in this newspaper yesterday) is nothing but a clear signs of some agenda to please the Myanmar government in the wake of the counter insurgency operation to eliminate militants who are allegedly having headquarters inside Myanmar’s territories.
The series of political developments unfolding in the aftermath of the June 4 hostile ambush on the Indian army convoy at Manipur’s Chandel district by group of armed rebels is enough fodder to guess on – How bad is the center-state relations in the country? There is no reason for anyone to worry on speculating “whether the Center is going to sacrifice portion of the territory to fulfil its dream”.
Narendra Modi led BJP claimed victory with absolute majority in the last parliamentary election and formed the government at the center surpassing the popularity of almost every political party including the INC which was in power at the center for quite a long time. The incredible victory of the BJP has boosted the morale of BJP workers across the country, so much so that the party even became the talk of the state where they failed to win even a single seat in the state Assembly election. Manipur is the perfect example.
In most of his speech Modi was often quoted stating his great respect for the center-state relationship. He was quoted as saying that he will not differenciate amongst those states where any other political party including the opposition party are in the power.
But things evidently did not turn out the way as stated. The relationship between the Central Govt. and the Ibobi led congress govt. in the state is rapidly turning sour with each passing day.
Most of the development funds had been put on hold blaming the state governments’ inability to summit UCs. The reason may be nothing more than a political strategy to put the state government in its place- a sordid exercise to emphasise the pecking order. However, there are some issues on which the center should work beyond party line. Fighting the militants or protecting the boundary of the country, for example, are ones which needs to be addressed and considered beyond party line. The unfortunate admission of the state government to the total lack of knowledge and communication regarding the recent cross-border army operations inside Myanmar drives home the point.
The people of Manipur, at this crucial juncture, can only hope that better sense prevails and that the government, both at the centre and the state does not do anything which might hurt the sentiment of the people for mere political gain and shatter the fragile peace which is gingerly settling in.
