By -Thanggoulal Khongsai
Over the past few years Manipur had shown some sort of relief from her long practiced culture of Economic Blockage, Indefinite Bandh, Strike and Dharna that were carried out in different forms. Ever since coalition party as such the BJP and NPP formed government in March 2017, somehow it manage to calm down all these forms of protest that the state has long been practicing and therefore, to certain extend it has given us a relief to all the people as whole.
Notwithstanding of all these, since the last two years, the people of Manipur are redefining the definition of “Peace”, as reflected from the way the ruling govt took its decision in recent past while making policies, is crystal clear from the way the people in its own soil experiences on daily basis. The govt and law enforcement agencies should strengthen their own means of combating violence without fear and favour.
The common thirst of the Govt and the three communities:
Talking about PEACE, the state lacks certain aspects in creating it. As a well known fact, that the three major communities in the State-The Kuki, NAGA and Meitei, achieved to living together in harmony is something that the government should considered it to be their utmost priority challenges. Otherwise, even by utilizing our knowledge, ability , power and understanding ways of living would have no impact; furthermore would neither find space to settle peace within the three communities. Govt should, therefore, take every responsibilities of all actions posed
to violence by a particular community or two or more communities without any excuses due to failure in delivering justices to them.
Yes, the thirst for everyone can be quenched, however difficult may be, by using a simple tool- Consultation and participation. Observing from the past three-year that the state had faced with several untoward incidents , we can utter that it is due to the failure and the absent of effective consultation to their respective representatives/Stakeholders of the community and the lack of participation from all sides. Govt should not commit further blunder in upholding their constitutional duties and err while settling peace between different communities using the two mentioned tools. Also, it is more important to underline the fact that people’s govt shouldn’t work to infringe one’s owned community fundamental rights.
To no doubt, we are all deprived of our rights to peaceful co-existence. Not all of our wants can be accomplished. In fact, wrongly and falsely claimed of property and possession are only a reflection act of an ignorance and an invitation for violence and communal tension . It is therefore, irrespective of who we are, we all need to strive to come to a common solution to peter-out all sorts of dissent and misunderstandings. More so, the use of object and different tools to brethren community, to whoever communities may be, should be shunned for the sake of PEACE for it only added more foul and could possibly harm all of us.
We, the KUKI, NAGA and MEITEI; have been suffering so much now. It is time a called for all of us to give up the license of greed and hatred. The language of PEACE should be made to speak and overreacting with sharp objects and tools towards one’s community shouldn’t be tolerated to whoever may be. The recent past incidents of several violences had taught us enough and now is a called for peaceful co-existence to all communities.
The role of govt and non govt bodies:
Considering the current state of Manipur, it is shameful to see people’s bleeding, looking for hideouts and injured during the protest of their legitimate rights. It is more shameful for the concerned authorities to add more foul and also over their inaction thereat. This things happen when there is a failure of communication and negligence. It is therefore, attempt be made to briedge the gap of communication and negligence.
The government has long way to go to make the state more peaceful state. It has to take firm measure where the common people could find the state more peaceful. They should reach out to the grass root government also and conduct awareness on building peace. It should also find a space where more people could be engaged to bring harmony in the state. Nevertheless, they should promote healthy environment using various domains pertaining from creating employment, poverty elevation, building infrastructure such as Road, PHC to nurturing Youths of the state. Govt should refrain from being a bias umpire . They should equally provide equal goals and ensure eqiuty regardless of communities with respect to their rights.
Besides, the police who are selflessly doing their jobs to douse down every outrages and untoward incidents, should conduct their work ethically so as to avoid their bad images. Non govt body like NGOs, CSO, Student Bodies etc, should work closely with the govt to help common people live peacefully. Awareness should be widely spread to educate the general public and media could be the potential contribution to this.
Conclusion:
It is unfortunate to know over the past two few years that claimed the lives of many and injuried hundred for want of justices. Today, nothing has changed much and in future too, history could repeat itself if concerned authorities remains the same and public continues their greed centric. The current Haraothel incident is an exemplary of the state to prove their efficiency without hurting the sentiment of anyone’s party; but brought justices to all parties. The challenge ahead of the govt should be supported by the public in order that amicable solution be arrived at earliest.
Therefore, it is time to put the true meaning of PEACE into action; live with it so as to avoid creating a communal tension with our communities. What if similar like Haraothel continues, will the people benefits out of it? Shouldn’t govt be responsible? Is the govt serious about Building a peaceful state? If so, let PEACE be seen within all districts of the state! Period
***** The writer can be contacted Email: [email protected]. The views express are his personal.
