HOW LONG SO LONG

Eventually the economic blockade implemented on the National Highway 53 of Manipur has been ceased, even though the consequences linger on. And at the same time, it isn't guaranteed when such kind of unlawful activities would cause to start anew as these operations are performed by the acolytes of the so-called insurgent group – NSCN (IM) whenever they wish to. In fact, it's same as rolling a fluffy dice which always results unpredictable outcomes. For the people of North-East, it is needless to make an introduction of NSCN (IM) as we have been dealing with the consequences of their illicit activities since long time. Primarily NSCN was formed to establish a Greater Nagaland, encompassing parts of Manipur, Nagaland and some part of Assam. This is what they have asserted. As of now, they are in ceasefire with the Indian government. However, they continue to be actively involved in illegal activities including extortion, kidnapping, inter-factional clashes, bootlegging among many other insane activities. These are the known facts which do not need any sort of explanation of the crimes they have conceded. And it is also a known fact that Manipur is the only region which has been afflicted calamitously by the illicit activities of NSCN (IM). Many Naga civil and student organisation such as NMA, NSF, ANSAM to mention a few are substantially strengthening their activities. Blockade of National Highways is a common observance for these groups to bring their household issues into public notice. In the mean time it's shameful for the Govt of Manipur and Govt of India not to intervene or oppose these unlawful acts and take up needful actions. NH-39 is not the only highway which connects Manipur to the rest of India. Manipur has been banking on this particular highway as the only highway. The other two highways namely NH-150 and NH-53 have been neglected. Come on, we are living in the 21st century where in many theories are postulated stating the possibilities of life in other planets and even invading other planets is no more a mystery. In this era of advancement in all fields, Manipur is yet to witness a railway track. Indeed it's shameful for the Govt of Manipur which comprises a bunch of corrupted, harebrained politicians who are only designated to make money. These men chosen by the people for the people have cultivated the most venomous weed i.e. corruption in our land. The people are infected perilously and everything has become hopeless. Corruption is almost legalised in our land simply because the authority is implementing it without the consent of the people and we, the people are acting as the conditioners for this weed. Our land will sooner be synonymised as “the land of illegalities and irregularities”. Honestly speaking none of us ever like the things turning up here in our land, still we never try to counterbalance these issues. How long it would take to uproot these weeds? It’s been so long so long that our land has become unsuitable for tilling. We are mentally burdened for so long. We have numberless issues which could be solved but kept unsolved.


Recently the Govt. Of India has announced hikes in fuel prices - Rs 5 a litre increase in petrol, Rs 3 on diesel and Rs 50 per LPG cylinder to be precise. And consequently the Opposition party led by BJP imposed a nationwide bandh on July 5 which paralysed the normal life in the country. All streets seemed deserted throughout the country and the general people stayed indoor indicating mass reluctance to the Govt’s decision. In the meantime, it is of no surprise that Manipur seemed quite normal on that very day simply because a hike of Rs 5 or Rs 10 or Rs 100 sounded nothing to the people who already have been experiencing a rise in multiples of 3 or 4 of the price of the same commodities and others. For instance petrol is being sold in Manipur at the price of Rs 140-160 a litre and LPG at Rs 1200-1600 a cylinder. Yet no one has made any complaints to the authority or shown any sort of hesitation. What does this indicate? How long do we need to wake up and make a call? It’s been so long so long that we have been subjugated by the authorities whom we have elected.