IMPHAL, July 13: `What would you do when your friend is mowed down by a rubber bullet or a tear gas shell? For me the immediate reaction would be to join the protest on the streets, and I think most of us would react like that`.
Sadokpam Ranjeeta, a human rights activist told the IFP in context of the current Inner Line Permit System, ILPS implementation movement, which got intensified following the death of a 16-year old student, Sapam Robinhood in police action to contain a student rally on July 8.
She continued, `I have been involved in works related to the Extra Judicial Execution Victims Families Association Manipur, EEVFAM since its inception. The widows have been fighting for justice. They have even moved to the Supreme Court against fake encounter in Manipur with a vague knowledge about the judicial system`.
`Even I myself do not have much knowledge on the minute details of AFSPA, but I have been protesting and have been part of the anti-AFSPA movement just for the simple reason that the Act is unjust and inhuman. I can empathise with the victims. This may be the reason that large numbers of youth have joined the ILPS movement, they empathise with Robinhood`, she added.
Ranjita lamented that there is a wide gap between the activist and intelligentsia and it is evident in most of the movements that the State has witnessed.
She said, `Yes, activist or those who are protesting on the streets should have a certain level of awareness about the issue and its implication. But those knowledgeable people with higher knowledge should reach out. If they are really concern they should not wait for formal invitation, rather they should try to reach out to bridge the gap. It should be from the heart.`
Dr Dhanabir Laishram, a well-known social activist and commentator however blames the State government.
He said the academic community has been contributing their fair share as far as their engagements with the issues of the State are concern.
`The State government has shut itself off from any kind of communication with the academic community, say for instance the university community, thereby cutting a proper channel of political communication`, he added.
Ksh Narayan, a former president of the Manipur University Students`™ Union, who has attended youth exchange programs outside the State and the country, gave an insightful observation on being asked regarding the low level turn out of students from higher level studies in the ongoing protest movement.
He said there has been a `systemic silencing`™ of those students in the higher education.
He maintained, `The introduction of the semester system is one of the main reasons. Every week there is an internal assessment test from which the students cannot take the risk of abstaining themselves to join protest rallies. In short, the education system bases itself on `exam oriented course`™, leaving little time for students to engage in other activities. He however lamented on the cozy silence of the teaching community. `Teachers body like the Manipur University Teachers`™ Association, MUTA or college teachers`™ association should at least make a point to let their voice heard through press statements even if they are busy with their teaching work`, he said.
Akhu Chingangbam, a protest singer of Imphal Talkies fame, when asked about the involvement of young students in street protest said that he has grown up taking part in protest as a student in CC Higher Secondary School.
`I was very much part of the protest when Netaji was killed by the State police. I am alive today because the tear gas shells or rubber bullets did not hit me. If not I would not be singing protest songs today`.
He added that students should actively take part in the social awakening processes and one should stand up to the call of time.
James Mayengbam, a self-employed youth from Keishamthong Imphal, who also had joined in the recent protest told this reporter that it is natural for young minds to become emotionally charged in a situation like this.
`When I joined the boys on the street, I can see that they are uncontrollable. Some of us tried to prevent them from firing sling shots to the police but they would not listen. No doubt, we support the ILPS demand, but there is a clear lack of a well organised protest wherein a responsible leader or organisation should show the path`.
He opined that the kind of intermittent violent protest happening here and there needs to be streamlined for a better outcome.