The movement spearheaded by the JCILPS for implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in Manipur has steadily been intensifying against popular belief as unlike almost every previous agitation that have taken place, the present campaign have sustained and gathered strength with time. The timely and vital concern of the public which will allay the fears and lingering doubts pertaining to the continuity and preservation of the interests of indigenous people of the region needs to be approached with utmost care and caution as any mistake or omission will undoubtedly ignite another bout of chaos and upheaval in the immediate present, while rendering the act that have caused so much loss and disruptions ineffective in the long run, a waste of effort and sacrifices the public made to achieve the objective. A concerted attempt with the contribution and inputs from various quarters needs to be taken up to cover every aspect. The state government should make sure the representatives of every section of the society are involved in the process of drafting the proposal so that there is no repeat of the blunder that proved to be the genesis of the present social crisis.
With the increasing tension and emotion amongst the public, the frequency of altercations and scuffles between those engaging in essential services and ILP supporters is reportedly on the rise. The seriousness of the issue can be gauged by the recent press release issued by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Manipur chapter condemning the physical assault and mistreatment of medical staffs by JCILPS supporters. What needs to be understood is that those of us engaging in essential services are not against the movement, but are also contributing in our own way by risking everything from police backlash to misdirected emotions of the ILP supporters. The JCILPS, being the steering committee spearheading the movement, should take up measures to ensure that the cause is not diverted by some elements who let loose their emotions and imaginations to the point that the objective of the struggle is clouded. This is a very dangerous development, one that has the potential to derail or put back the progress that has been won after so much sacrifice and effort. The various forms of agitations being used to make an impact such as blocking of roads, setting fire etc should be used as a symbol of the anger and dissatisfaction on the government for its failure to address the rightful concerns of the public, and not to intimidate or display personal aspirations. It is also a very stupid move to consume or use alcohol or other intoxicants while participating in the movement because more often than not, those who are reported to be intimidating or disrupting the work of those engaging in essential services are the ones whose mental faculty has been clouded by such intoxicants. Their very presence also demeans the very cause. The ILP system has become an unavoidable necessity in Manipur and it is bound to happen. In the meantime, what we all need is constraint and control of our emotions. We need an objective approach, not an emotional or impulsive spurt.
