According to the Dictionary, the word ‘Ex-gratia’ has been derived from the Latin word which means a compensation or a payment which is not legally binding but for which some moral obligation is felt or obliged. So, here some questions comes to mind, if an elected government is not morally obligated towards its own people and look for their welfare irrespective of caste, community or religion in all times of thick and thin, peace and war, happy times or troubled times, does it have any moral authority to govern? When the State govt. can compensate, care and show concern for the nine Karbis killed, why not for our own Sumi Naga brethrens who got killed and injured in the Mukalimi Seige. Here, I don’t mean to propagate for my own tribesmen and demean the Karbis who were massacred who I truly feel very sorry for that they have to meet such a tragic end, and it was very ethical and appreciable on the part of the government to exhibit such an exemplary exercise with great exigency. However, looking at the way the present govt. is playing a partisan and a biased role against the Sumis who got killed and maimed for life is very questionable and objectionable. If it can show such concern for some people then Why is the same yardstick not applied for the Sumis? Doesn’t the government owe its moral obligation for its own people? Why is the government so callous, insensitive and inscrutable for the people who came all out for justice and protect the dignity of their womenfolk, which was its bounden duty in the first place? When the government failed to deliver justice, did the Sumis had any other option left?
It would be a great treachery on the part of the govt. if it plays only the role as a helper or a facilitator only to gain a political mileage or save their face in the regional politics being a member of the North-East Regional Political Forum (NERPF) but remain mute here on its own homefront. A government, if it is really concerned for the welfare of its people must be involved both emotionally as well as physically and do the requirement for its subjects. The power, strength and achievement of an elected government is not only about organizing and celebrating festivals, winning awards, travelling abroad or being chief guests but by involving themselves with the masses in both favorable or unfavorable situations or any given circumstances. What good is a government if it cannot dedicate and commit itself for its poor, forgotten, wronged, voiceless, maimed, etc. but is only there for the privileged few? A government is in jeopardy when it starts distancing from the common man and the people becoming its enemy. They should realize that when they do not heed to the suffering of its people, their very foundation and pillars supporting their power are crumbling. Instead of watching cautiously and silently it must speak out and start acting. Why should law breakers whoever they may be, not brought to justice and dealt accordingly? Does a leader who is indifferent and invisible to his people’s suffering deserve any respect? Except for one prominent politician speaking out boldly crossing the tribal barrier to grant ex-gratia for the Mukalimi victims no other voice has been heard till now. Not a single Sumi legislator have voiced their concern for the relief and rehabilitation of those widows and children of the ones killed, injured and maimed for life. Would Naga Hoho and NMPHR, have remained silent in the same tone had some similar incident like the Mukalimi episode taken place in Naga inhabited Areas of Manipur as not a single word of condemnation from them was heard till date. If the Chief Minister can hear loud and clear the voice of his Assam counterpart Mr Tarun Gogoi and the Karbis, what about the Sumis who are at home and hearth? It would be a good reminder to remind the government from the Saying of John F. Kennedy “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” Even when the cruelest of dictators known to the world like Hitler said that “Never deprive someone of hope; it may be the only thing they have” and Silence is the only thing that can’t be misquoted.” Do we have any more hope to be hoping then and what should we construe the Silence in all these?
Jonah Achumi,
Dimapur
