Doomed State (December 1)

When almost all the employees are on cease work strike for more than one month and the Government, which is expected to react immediately, turns a Nelson's eye towards the issue then it says something about the kind of government the State has. Any responsible administration will not allow the employees to go on cease work strike for more than one day not to talk of one month. As things stand today, it may not be wrong to say that Manipur does not have a Government worth its salt at the moment. 

Of course Manipur is currently under the Presidents Rule since June 2 and the Governor Ved Marwah, a former police officer of international repute is at the head of the administration. Unlike our politicians, who are known for inaction, misdeed and thick skin, Marwah is not a hard-core politician of Indian standard. Given his background and track records, one expects that an administration under such a former police officer will respond immediately and end the cease work strike. Alas that is not the case. One wonders whether the then Wahengbam Nipamacha Ministry, which was dubbed as one of the worst Ministries Manipur has had, is better than the present Central Rule. 

Indeed, there is no sign of an end to the cease work strike by the employees in the next few days. It is strange how the government runs without the majority of its employees. There are several which calls for immediate attention of the Government, both the State and the Center. Candidates, who have been recommended by the Manipur Public Service Commission for appointment, as lectures are on indefinite relay hunger strike. They have genuine grievances. But the Government of the day has not considered it fit to look into their problems. Is the Government waiting for the agitation to turn violent? Does it know the meaning of democratic form of protest? 

Another pressing issue before the State is the "restrictions" on the movement of traffic on the national highway - 53. Following the restrictions bus services on this route have been suspended for the last few days. As a result people are facing untold hardships. It seems that the present government is not aware of the development. It will surely know if it has the habit of reading newspapers. Any responsible Government would have done something to ensure safety on the national highway without any delay. 

Is it not the duty and responsibility of the Government? What has made the present Government turn the other way? Now Manipur is bankrupt. The State administration is sleeping like Kumbhakarna. And the Center has no time to worry about Manipur's problems since it is busy with Kabul, Kashmir, POTO and UP election. Manipur is not on the agenda of the center, as if this backward State is not a part of the Indian Union. If the present Central Rule in Manipur is a sample of the Central administration, India is doomed.

(Courtesy: The Imphal Free Press)

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