Manipur and its neighbor Assam have suffered for decades under a bandh culture that had brought about unmentionable sufferings to the common man and incurred losses worth thousand crores of rupees to the states. Over the last few years, the two states have been forced to contemplate strong legislations in order to pre-empt bandhs which political parties, students’ groups and other organizations imposed without impunity.
After a series of debilitating bandhs and blockades from 2004 to 2007 that robbed the state exchequer of roughly Rs 1200 crores, Manipur government decided to ban bandh and even went a step ahead by filing suits against the some organizers of bandhs in order to recover the losses suffered to the state. However, the whole plan crumbled like a house of cards as the administration was too weak to efficiently execute it. Moreover, a huge deficiency in manpower resources and logistic support were noticed. So far, any serious attempt for rectification of the shortcomings is not within sight. Moreover, despite several arrest warrants there was no record of any persons being actually booked. The end result is any Tom, Dick and Harry can called for bandh on petty issues without any hindrance and bring the state to a grinding halt as there is apparently none to take steps to defy the imposition. The organizers can count on the public to stay at home, shops to close and buses and passenger vehicles to stay off the road.
In light of the unfortunate situation in Manipur, the draft law prepared by the Assam Government, The Assam Prevention of Unconstitutional Bandh Act, making bandhs an offence inviting punitive action and fines, ought to be welcome with warm embrace. According to the draft, violators invite two years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 per day. Blockades, causing partial closure of economic activities, are liable to punishment of one year in jail and fine of Rs 5,000.
However, two issues which are unlikely to be resolved soon have surfaced before the Assam government. The first is directed from journalist and media workers’ bodies of the state who has termed Act as censoring media or curbing the freedom of expression in the name of controlling the bandh culture asserting that it will affect the democratic structure of the society. Moreover, the draft is also silent on how the government intends to tackle bandhs called by militant groups, a common occurrence in the state. Unfortunately, many people will be caught between militant strike calls and the government’s law against bandh.
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