No body in
Manipur wants disarray, disintegration and
depression. But development brings with
itself the seeds of various forms of
instability. The most difficult question is
“How to manage the contents of change” and
maintain the solid foundation of
integration. This definitely calls for a
long- term-strategic-thinking; unlike thika-supply-politics.
Road is important; but more important is the
standard of people who are using the road.
There must be some areas of activities which
need undisturbed and sustained priority -
the areas identified to grow with
distinctive corecompetence as a mark of
socio-economic advancement through which the
community enjoys self respect and a place in
arena of diversities. This is “core area”.
Has Manipur identified this?
Secondly, every policy announcement should
have its “announcement effects” - social
effect, economic effect, political effect,
short-term effect and long-term effect. The
policy announcement is normally guided by
the “vision” - a clear-cut blue-print of
possible changes, effects and reactions so
that the Government should make sufficient
preparation for built-in pro-active plans to
address the fallouts and emerging concerns.
Time-factor is very important in any policy
initiative. Otherwise, the structural
irritants would land us into a new trap of
uncontrollable chain of frustration, more so
in a state like Manipur where geo-politics
has made its calculated appearance.
Any civilized society is governed by
civilized rules and regulations and happily
abide by a sense of tolerance, discipline
and integrity. The old world of traditional
thinking and conservative approach is no
longer valid. We have to think globally and
act locally. The long queue of vehicles (1/2
km.) under the scorching heat for just 5
liters of petrol speaks volumes of high
tolerance inspite of soaked and socked
sentiments. But there is a limit.
Every body has right to love his birth
place. My birth place is my motherland and
other country is my fatherland. Both mother
and father must live together in harmony and
mutual respect as partner of development.
Please don’t except mother only.
Well, let us look at the economic blockade
(June 19, 2005 till date) on National
Highways - 39 (Imphal - Dimapur) from three
perspectives:
— Economic aspect
— Social aspect
— Political aspect
—
Economic aspect:
The present economic blockade on NH-39 is
bad for the region and worse for the smaller
States. In terms of anything and by any
standard, because of this blockade, we are
putting blockade on development process,
while the region requires a new model of
growth triangle - involving all neighboring
States in one way or other.
Better transport and communication confers
three inter-related benefits: (a) higher
production, (b) innovativeness and (c)
larger market linkages. We remain deprived
of these distinct benefits for more than 40
days. The peripheral markets look dull and
deserted. Secondly high price means dis-saving
and welfare loss. Thirdly the culture of
hoarding, black-marketing and rent-seeking
is greatly stimulated. Fourthly inequality
and disparity is increased. Fifthly, the
feeling of economic insecurity is deepened.
Social aspect:
The welfare loss and the economic insecurity
will become a new foundation of social
alienation from the mainstream and also from
the apparatus of administration.
“Credibility-gap” is a great social loss.
Mutual destruct is a deadly poison. Very
unfortunately a new social regrouping is
taking shape.
Political aspect:
There is nothing wrong when Manipur takes
new strategy to be politically strengthened,
emotionally consolidated and economically
competitive. But any moves from any segment
to stimulate counter productive forces and
seeds of misunderstanding, open defiance and
unnecessary hostility need to be guarded
against.
The prolonged economic blockade (50 days) is
“disturbing and unsettling too much” and
looks prompted by a hidden agenda of grand
design. Why a small-fight for a big
political cause? It appears that the baby is
killed in the womb of the mother.
Thirdly, the prolonged economic blockade is
bound to add a new dimension to the
political immorality of undue harassment and
silent torture based on geo-politics.
Fourthly, the economic blockade may be
‘misleading light’ in the process of social
re-grouping and social equations.
Approach:
The approach should be governed by:
a) Flexibility with realism.
b) Kindness with firmness
c) Multiple options.
Solution:
Negotiation is the only means for solution.
Even the two World Wars concluded with
negotiation. Negotiation requires physical
meeting and mutual sacrifice on either side.
The strategy for solution may consist of:
a) Long-term-strategic policy
b) Short-term-measures.
It may be noted that policies and measures
are two different things. Of course, they
are interdependent and complimentary. They
meet at a point. Measures without strategic
policy support may not deliver goods.
Strategic policy failure is very dangerous.
This is, perhaps, what we experience to-day
in Manipur.
Short-term measures:
The short term measures may consist of:
a) Removal of all bottlenecks in the supply
line by any means.
b) Goodwill visits
c) Re-enforcement of security arrangement.
d) Contact, dialogue and consultations with
stake-holders including church leaders.
e) Delivery of peace peck
Long term strategic policy may consist of:
1. Announcement of Hill Vision, 2012 (a
Vision Document of Development)
2. Acceleration of physical connectivity
with top priority on improving National
Highway 39- Imphal to Moreh to the standard
of 4 lane with street lights and wayside
amenities and National Highway 53 also.
3. Strengthening of reporting mechanism.
4. Creation of a Centre for Policy Research,
Manipur with Chief Minister as chairman of
the governing council.
Reserved provision for 6 months:
5. The Government of Manipur must maintain
reserved stock of essential and strategic
items for 6 months as in the case of U.S.A.
(This reserved stock is to be used only
during emergency-situation).
Politics of venue:
I think venue for talk is not necessarily
important as nowadays one can talk through
various channels and media. Even mobile
phone will do. In a way talk has begun.
Message is being sent, communication has
been made. Views have been studied. The real
and ultimate venue is mind.
What is the use of so-called formal talk in
a majestic room with closed mind, cynical
outlook and mixed feelings. Our immediate
objective is to remove the grievances of
innocent people who have not committed any
crime. How long the lives of poor people
should be allowed to be thoroughly exhausted
by “miscalculation’? The earlier the better.
It is fine that the ball has started rolling
with the visit of a strong team of
Ministers. Let us see the game of wit and
wisdom. I feel the area of mutual
understanding should certainly be based on
“strategic consideration” and a “new
vision”. |
