CONTRADICTIONS

CONTRADICTIONS


“God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose”

‘Emerson’

It was very strange and amusing to read the following in print media during last few days: - an uproar in the ongoing Manipur State Assembly at motion called by the opposition member Okram Joy of Manipur People’s Party. Replying to the motion Hon’ble CM of the state said “illegal imposition of tax by NSCN (IM) on transportation in Manipur is a cause of serious concern.” He did not highlight the role played by two dozen UG outfits operating in Manipur. Besides this another news item- the reaction of ULFA on killing of an innocent by security forces as mistaken identity in Tinsukia district, Assam. Both are self contradictory in their essence.

May I ask the constitutionally elected members of Manipur; Is it only NSCN (IM) involved in collection of illegal taxes? What about UNLF, KYKL, Kukis, PULF, KCP and other outfits of Manipur? Do they enjoy some sort of patronage by those who matter? It was also stated in the state assembly that many a times the issue has been raised with the PM and other functionaries of Central Government. Does it mean that state Government has no role to play in handling this situation? Will just raising the issue with centre government bring solutions? NO! Ceasefire agreement of GoI with NSCN is only in Nagaland. Therefore, constitutionally elected members of Manipur along with the state machinery must make all efforts for effectively reining in all the UG outfits operating in Manipur that are responsible for the prevailing chaos. Please avoid playing the famous Polka Dance one step forward, two steps backward and side step the issue.

From the foregoing and the following it will be clear that it is not only one outfit responsible for collection of illegal taxes there are many. As stated by one of the truck drivers “both legal and illegal taxes start from Jakhalbandha in Assam continue through Nagaland till Imphal in Manipur. He further stated that they have to pay approx Rs 4000/- in one journey because they have to pay Rs 200/- and Rs. 500/- , at various places enroute, for a receipt of Rs. 2/- and Rs. 5/- respectively”.

ULFA has condemned the killing of innocent youth in Tinsukia by saying that “Will govt. relief grant of Rs. 3 Lakhs to deceased family bring back the dead”. I agree, the innocent killing is highly condemnable in the strongest words. May I ask the same from the outfit, “can those innocents killed by the blasts triggered by ULFA comeback” Does the outfit have an answer to questions raised by Assam People’s Works(APW) on 27 Apr07 and 18 May07 against atrocities of ULFA in the state? Who will answer? Probably, None!

There is a need to introspect, realize, reconcile and reconstruct the society to meet the changing needs and arrive at a conclusion; who is wrong and who is right?

“Life is just a mirror and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you”
‘Wally Famous Ancos’
Geoffery
jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in