As the indefinite blockade on national high way called by Kuki State Demand Committee begins the hardship is felt. Long queue was seen in front of oil depots even before the onset of the agitation. Panic buying has started. Festive mood of spring season has been shattered. Moreover February and March are marriage season. Petroleum products will be the rarest item. But the season demands availability of petrol and diesel in huge quantity. Large numbers of vehicles are used in the Manipur style of marriage. The greatest festival of Manipuri “Yaoshang” is also knocking at the door. Wait and watch approach method though successful in the past in dealing with such form of agitation cannot be applied now. If such agitation is called during July or August it will not cause much problem. Because during autumn season no festival is conducted. This agitation is really untimed. The situation prevailing now calls for drastic action to bring the strikers to the negotiating table. State Government can summon Kuki leaders for holding threadbare discussion over the matter. They can be told boldly the demand can never be fulfilled. Because Manipur belongs to all communities. No piece of land can be carved out of our tiny state. If Nagas’ demand for amalgamation of all Naga inhabited areas cannot be met how can Kukis’ demand for separate homeland be given. Tell the agitationists to stop floating on the false dream. When the agitation called by a civil organisation to protest against the molestation of a film actor and ill-treatment meted to out other artistes who attempted to rescue the female actor turned ugly with all hell breaking loose, rebel organisation intervened and the situation was saved. That agitation exposed thoughtlessly called bandh threatens to tear even the social fabric. Even the scribes were attacked and their vehicles stoned. Who can advise the Kuki State Demand Committee to abandon the path they have adopted and switch over to other form of agitation? Agitation launched peacefully sends loud message. Irom Chanu Sharmila Chanu’s agitation “fast unto death agitation” rocked the mind set of those at the helms of affairs in Delhi. They are considering to find a way for softening the deadly and diabolic armed forces special powers act. The committee can single out some one among them to resort to peaceful agitation. That will be effective. Road blockade though it appears resounding success initially will end up without getting anything. The apex court had given a standing order to defy bandh or blockade on the national highway. Such form of agitation threatens to strangulate the most hapless people. The hand to mouth people will be the victim of the agitation. The rich people had already piled up all that will be required during the bandh period. Barrels filled with petrol and diesel too had been kept for use during the same period. Those who cannot buy even two or three litres of petrol will be seen standing forming long queue. The prices of other essential commodities will shoot up. Tighten the belt, gloomy days are ahead. Use petrol and diesel wisely and sensively. Eat little. It is sad we are going to land in a very ugly situation.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/peaceful-agitation-sends-louder-message/
