Manipur is on seize since the 3rd of May when sudden violence started after a peace rally went berserk and the Meitei community was targeted in Churachandpur. In reaction to that Imphal Valley also went into flames. After the initial mayhem Government could control the Imphal Valley with a strong hand.

The internet is being shut down since the 4th of May, curfew is clamped in Imphal West and East now for almost 28 days leading to confining people’s life being to a standstill. Essential services are operational but most of the economic activities of the state have stopped.

Educational institutes shut with Higher educational centers of excellence like NIT Manipur resorting to conducting end-term examinations ‘online’ looking into the placement considerations of final year students.

Even though the Imphal Valley remained calm and no big incident happened post May 4th but the burning of around 500 plus Meitei houses in the foothills of the valley adjoining Churachandpur, and Chandel hill districts by alleged Kuki militants which once again evoked high emotions in the Meitei community. Looking into the trend it seems the Kuki insurgents have taken the strategy of not allowing the valley to function.

The government is not taking any risk and has maintained its Status Quo of banning the internet service and clamping section 144. It seems the government is having only one job and that is to declare the curfew timing. The situation is seen as if the Manipur is in a state of undeclared war whereas the valley remains substantially peaceful.

It is the common people who suffer the most. The price of day-to-day commodities is rising, people are losing jobs and government offices remain non-functional with curfew relaxation only up to 11 AM from 6 AM. Most banks are not operating, and ATMs are running out of cash.

In such a situation, it seems like Government does not want to function but punish people. How can an elected Government that only a couple of weeks back hosted Femina Miss India make its people suffer? What about the tall call of Digital India, Start-Up India, and Be Vocal for Local, etc., all these seem now a dichotomy and it is the people who have to surrender to a seize where they are not to be blamed, and neither party to any political goals. 

It is now high time that internet services are restored and normal economic activities are encouraged by relaxing the curfew time. People now should also concentrate on their lives and let government perform the security responsibilities of safeguarding life and property besides its other responsibility of governance…