But the blockade and counter blockade by two communities have actually led to a new wave of consciousness in this northeastern state with people, particularly youngsters, getting together and demanding a change in the present state of affairs.
With assembly elections due next year, many people are networking online and off to organise themselves and be the arbiters of their own “destiny” in the Congress-led state wracked by unrest.
Anguished by the poor state of affairs in his home state, Bimol Akoijam has started an online campaign on the social networking site Facebook titled “People’s Campaign for Assembly Election 2012: Deciding Our Destiny.”
“It’s time we act in order to have a life with dignity and well-being. The right to choose our political leadership is the basis for the change that we are seeking. The aim is to make the political class accountable for the mess and decadence that we are in today,” Akoijam wrote on his Facebook page.
The economic blockade called by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee on Aug. 1 and a counter blockade called later by the United Naga Council have crippled normal life in Manipur, making prices of household commodities soar and resulting in acute scarcities, including of life-saving drugs.
Among the various activities planned is one on Oct. 18 that aims to bring together all those who have moved out of the state for education, employment or other purposes and take their help in spreading awareness about the upcoming assembly elections and urge people to vote for the right candidate and make it an “issue-based election.”
The meet, which is to take place in different cities across the country, has found many takers.
Separately, activists have launched a nationwide “signature campaign” on Gandhi Jayathi Day to pressure the central government to resolve the issue Irom Sharmilla, called the Iron Lady of Manipur, has put forth ten years back.
She is on a hunger strike for 11 years to press for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.