Must restore normalcy in Manipur

Refer to ‘Apology not enough’; Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh’s expression of regret will be a meaningless exercise if it is not accompanied by tangible solutions. His apology appears to be a desperate attempt to salvage his position. The government displayed administrative paralysis as the conflict between Meiteis and Kukis descended into a bloody civil war-like situation. One of the biggest mistakes made by the BJP when the clashes erupted was its decision to dismiss them as “localised” incidents. The government’s approach was reactive rather than proactive. Both the Central and state governments must collaborate to restore normalcy in Manipur and address the underlying issues that are fuelling the conflict.

Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar

Biren’s apology hollow

Apropos of ‘Apology not enough’; after waiting for 19 long months, Manipur CM Biren Singh has apologised. He advised the people to forgive and forget everything and start afresh in the new year. His apology does not hint at any remorse and seems hollow. If he had resigned as the CM, accepting responsibility for what happened, one could agree that he was remorseful. One wonders why Prime Minister Modi has not come forward to remove Biren as the CM despite repeated demands from the Opposition and the people. However, we cannot expect this from our leader who himself has not found the time to visit the burning state to defuse the tense situation.

Tharcius S Fernando, Virugambakkam (TN)

Hold CM responsible

With reference to ‘Apology not enough’; it is concerning that despite the CM’s failure to restore law and order in strife-torn Manipur, the Centre has retained him in the saddle. Unfortunately, the rising incidents of arson, loot, murder and rape during his tenure have not stirred the conscience of his own party to take proactive steps. Tendering a public apology for misrule bordering on criminal complicity is not enough. It is a cruel joke on the warring communities of the beleaguered state. The need of the hour is to hold CM Biren Singh wholly responsible for the situation in Manipur.

MD Sharma, SHIMLA

Public bearing brunt of corruption

Refer to ‘Haryana’s graft taint’; a critical look at the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s reports of earlier years shows that the police, power and revenue departments are the most corrupt. All states, including Haryana, have failed to implement police reforms in terms of the Supreme Court’s directions issued in 2006. The ACB report has not revealed the conviction rate of corrupt officials arrested by it and the punishment meted out by the government on disciplinary grounds. The silence of the establishment and the ruling politicians is shocking. The anti-corruption campaign launched under the zero-tolerance policy, ‘Na khaunga na khane dunga’, is another false promise. As a result, the people are forced to bear the brunt of the corrupt system.

Prem Singh Dahiya, Rohtak

Extend Hasina’s asylum in India

With reference to ‘Navigating Bangladesh’s internal strife & external pressures’; since the 1971 war of independence, New Delhi and Dhaka have had a unique bilateral relationship shaped by cultural and historical ties, mutual interests and occasional tensions. India should adopt a sensible and balanced approach that prioritises long-term regional stability and secures its trade and geo-strategic interests as well as rising clout in the immediate neighbourhood and beyond. Extending Sheikh Hasina’s asylum and active cooperation with the US to restore democracy in Bangladesh can contain China’s growing aggression in the entire Indo-Pacific region.

DS Kang, Hoshiarpur

India must act diplomatically

The recent agreement to send Pakistani army troops to train Bangladeshi soldiers at the behest of Muhammad Yunus may turn out to be the first implicit step towards the emergence of Bangladesh 2.0. Anti-India protesters have already expressed their intentions to ‘take over’ West Bengal and Bihar. The people of Bangladesh should not forget that the army which committed genocide in 1971 is now being invited to train them to fight against the nation which protected them. India should note that this move might have been orchestrated by bigger players like China and the US to establish their bases there. India should act diplomatically.

Col RS Narula (Retd), Patiala