IT News
Imphal, Jan 30:
A directive from the Manipur government to observe Martyrs’ Day by halting all vehicular movement for two minutes led to widespread traffic congestion across Imphal, causing severe inconvenience to students, office-goers, and emergency services.
The order, issued by the Home Department on January 28, mandated a complete standstill of vehicles along highways and public spaces from 10:59 AM to 11:03 AM. While the intent was to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary, the execution of the directive resulted in unintended disruptions, leaving many questioning the logic behind enforcing such an order during peak commuting hours.
Traffic bottlenecks were reported across major roads, including Thangal Bazar, Paona Bazar, and Singjamei, as vehicles were forced to halt. Commuters, especially students and office workers, expressed frustration at being caught in long delays. With no clear traffic management plan in place, the congestion extended well beyond the two-minute standstill.
A commuter stuck in traffic remarked, “Honoring Mahatma Gandhi is important, but should it come at the cost of public inconvenience? The government should have planned this better.” Many others echoed similar sentiments, arguing that a democratically elected government should work for the welfare of the people, not cause unnecessary confusion and frustration.
The incident also raises concerns over the growing VIP culture in the state, where government orders often inconvenience the common people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasized the need to end VIP culture and prioritize “EPI” (Every Person is Important) instead of VIP privileges. His government has taken steps such as removing red beacons from official vehicles and ensuring equal treatment of citizens, irrespective of status.
However, today’s incident in Manipur highlights a contradiction to this vision. While the Prime Minister promotes ease of movement and governance that serves the people, the state government’s directive disrupted lives, reinforcing the VIP mindset where decisions are made without considering the public impact.
Urban planners and civic activists have criticized the government’s approach, suggesting that public tributes should not come at the expense of daily life. A senior town planner stated, “There are more practical ways to observe such events—silent tributes at institutions, digital campaigns, or public programs in designated areas—rather than bringing the entire city to a standstill.”
While respecting national heroes is a shared responsibility, a balance must be maintained between commemoration and public convenience. The government must rethink such directives in the future to ensure that symbolic gestures do not disrupt essential activities.
As frustration grows, citizens are calling for more thoughtful governance—one that prioritizes both national sentiments and the everyday needs of the people. A democracy thrives when its leaders listen to the people, and today’s incident serves as a reminder that governance should simplify life, not complicate it.