Monday, August 06, 2007

Recommendations of the Symposium on ‘Save Manipur’

The following are the Recommendations adopted during the Symposium on ‘Save Manipur, organised by the Senior Citizens for Society, and held on July 28, 2007 at Imphal

1. Recommendation on Law & Order Problem

The most immediate problem besetting the people of Manipur today is the failure of the state Government to enforce ‘Rule of law’ in the state. Apart from atrocities and Human Rights violations by the security forces, there is widespread violence and acts of crimes committed by unknown assailants. Rapes, molestation of women and children, blackmailing, extortion, abduction for ransom, broad daylight robbery, murder and terrorist bomb blast have become daily occurrences in our society. Taking advantage of the lawlessness in the state there is a tendency among some social organisations assuming the roles of law enforcing agencies by issuing diktats to the common people. Unfortunately, the guardians of law and liberty have miserably failed to ensure security of lives and properties of the people and perpetrators of crimes often go scot free. The prevailing law and order situation amply reflects the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the law enforcing agencies in tacking the ever increasing crimes in Manipur.

It is therefore decided to urge upon the State government to take the matter seriously with all sincerity. It should take all necessary measures to streamline and strengthen the state police force to protect lives and properties of the people, which is the primary duty of the state government.

2. Recommendation on Eradication of Corruption

The most dangerous social evil that is eating into the vitals of the Manipuri society today is the rampant corruption in governance and public life Siphoning of public money by unscrupulous public servants, fraudulent withdrawals of taxpayers money without executing public works, irregular and fake appointments in government departments, bribery in appointments, transfers and posting of government servants, have become order of the day in our society. Merits and talents are no longer sole criteria for government appointment and every government job has a price tag in Manipur. In the field of politics also the picture is equally gloomy. Moral integrity, talents of the political leaders and political ideologies hardly count in elections. Money power and muscle power decide election results. Free and fair elections still remain a distant dream. Unless this cancerous growth of corruption is eradicated there is no future of our society.

In view of the imperative need to usher in an era of corruption free society in our state, this symposium strongly urges upon the government and the people of Manipur to combat the prevailing rampant corruptions and bribery in the state. A new culture of transparency and accountability be adopted starting from the top brass, who are the guardians of the people, as the role model of the society.

3. Recommendation on Insurgency problem

The people of Manipur are in favour of peace and development in the state. No lasting peace can be ushered in the trouble torn state without solving the problems of insurgency in the region. There can be no military solution to this chronic problem. Only free frank political dialogue between the Central Government and the insurgents without any pre-condition can pave the way to peaceful and amicable settlement.

This symposium strongly urge upon the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to initiate all necessary steps to bring the insurgent groups to the negotiating table for a meaningful political dialogue to solve this vexed problem. This symposium also, fervently appeal to all the insurgent groups operating in the state to give a chance to peace in the interest of the people and come to the negotiating table to solve this problem peacefully with the government.

4. Recommendation on Unemployment

Unemployment of a large numbers of youths in the state is a matter of serious concern which demands the immediate attention of the government. In this small state of 2.4 million, there are more than six lacs educated unemployed youths registered in the Employment Exchanges. Apart from this, there are also a huge number of youths unregistered. Until and unless these frustrated, hungry and angry people are provided gainful employment and engaged in constructive activities there will be no end of troubles in Manipur.

While welcoming the Food for Work Programme and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, this symposium strongly feels that these programmes are utterly inadequate to solve the problems of unemployment in Manipur.

This symposium therefore strongly urge upon the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to plan for special employment generation programmes, including self employment schemes for the state of Manipur irrespective of rural, urban, hill and plain areas.

5. Recommendation on Bandhs and Blockades.

Today Manipur is known as the land of bandhs, strikes and blockades. Not a single week passes without a strike or bandh called by one organization or other to pressurise the government to meet their sectarian demands. The two National Highways, NH-39, which are the lifelines for the people of Manipur are frequently blocked for days together causing untold miseries to the people. Apart from this, there have been looting, robbery, kidnapping, burning of vehicles and killings on these highways. As long as these disastrous practices continue unabated there can be no peace and development in Manipur.

This symposium strongly feels that these two national highways should be free from bandhs and blockades and highway protection forces should be deployed adequately and effectively to protect these two lifelines of the state.

This symposium also fervently appeal to all civil society organisations in the state to introspect on this issue and avoid calling bandhs and blockades in the larger interest of the people and adopt other democratic means to ventilate their grievances.

6. Recommendation on Education

Education is the panacea of all ills, individual and social. It is a key to lasting solution of all problems besetting the state. Wide spread violence, crimes, ethnic divide, conflicts and confrontation are manifestations of poor quality of education imparted to our students. The need of the hour is to evolve a value based education to bring about a new generation free from violence and corruption. This calls for framing of a rational and scientific State Policy on Education, keeping in view the specific local needs, problems and unique cultural diversity of Manipur.

This symposium therefore strongly appeals to the government of Manipur to frame an appropriate policy on education without further delay and implement it properly.

Source: www.ifp.co.in

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