Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 29
If the Arabs can do it, so can we. Reminiscent of the popular people’s uprising in the Middle-East, Dimapur was witness to a rare event Tuesday afternoon when people, irrespective of who is who, converged at the town centre (Clock Tower) rallying against the government’s apathy. Years of false promises and excuses of things left unfulfilled, in this case - electricity, by successive governments, the people said finally – “Enough is enough.”
It was not a pre-meditated event aimed at dislodging the government; neither was it the typical rally of issuing ultimatums and memoranda that one has come accustomed to. It was in essence a spontaneous and peaceful convergence of letting the voice of the common man heard. The gathering may not have been of gargantuan proportions; still it did set a precedent on how to make use of democratic rights the right way, and more importantly – activism than be ‘barking dogs at home’. It was heartening indeed to witness young Nagas taking the initiative to take the government by the ears.
The people who spoke had one thing say, of citizen activism, keeping the government and its elected representatives on their toes; whilst giving to the citizens what they promise during elections.
“Dear friends, lets not remain silent spectators… lets open up our eyes,” was how one of the speakers set the ball rolling. For the time being “Forget about industries, forget about development… power (in this time and age) is a basic of life and a must have.”
Referring to the reported government directive to the power department not to overdraw fearing surcharge, one simply said, “forget about the money – the bottom line is the people is suffering”. It has been nearly two months since the entire state, and Dimapur in particular, is reeling under acute power shortage. Has the power minister or the chief engineer atleast cared to tender a public explanation this whole time? “Nagas are like not seeing even after seeing, not understanding even after understanding… 2-3 hours without power we can tolerate but months and months, weeks and weeks cannot be. Crores and crores are lost but leave aside the money lost.”
One student in attendance had this to say. The young man said that he is willing to offer his scholarship to the government in return for electricity.
“We’re talking about development, of technology and advancement…. But how do we expect to progress if there is no power (electricity)? Look at the roads, repaired today gone tomorrow. We talk big but we do nothing. How long can we expect to continue like this?” Drawing allegory to bureaucratic red-tapism another of the speakers likened the system of governance prevalent in Nagaland to a tortoise’s pace.
The public can no longer be taken for a ride, they are wiser, said the citizen. A doctor among the gathering said that roads, water and electricity are elemental to progress and development. “But in the 50 years since statehood what have we got,” the doctor posed. “To me the number one issue at present is the light (power) issue… number two – roads and bridges and number three – water.” Of course the Naga political issue is also important but it can take a back seat for the moment.
Despite the grim ‘blacked-out’ scenario, optimism rang in the air however. The citizens who attended the rally were hopeful of mobilizing similar events across the state. “Today is a great beginning, let this flame burn… we will continue, we will not compromise.”
