Letters to the Editor: Manipur Crisis

Over the past two-and-a-half months, Manipur has been seized with ethnic violence between the Meiteis and the Kukis on the question of extending scheduled tribe status to the former. This north-eastern state has a history of insurgencies by extremist outfits belonging to both the battling Meiteis and Kukis. Manipur was not usually a peaceful state, and the present conflict triggered by the High Court verdict considering giving scheduled tribe status to the Meiteis is not likely to end unless this question is resolved to its logical conclusion. It is incumbent on the State Government to hold sustained dialogue with both communities to find a solution by adhering to historical perspective. Earlier, Manipur was embroiled in ethnic clashes with huge losses of life and property each time, and the state immensely suffered due to prolonged road blockades for months. But it is not remembered whether the same crises were ever raised in Parliament. Considering the gravity of the situation, it is totally forbidden to exploit the issue for partisan politics. It is in this context that the two-day visit of some opposition INDIA associated parties is seen with distrust, as similar mayhem relating to rural panchayat polls has been continuing for over two months in West Bengal, ruled by one of the alliance partners, TMC, who formed part of the delegation; yet the rest of the INDIA bloc is mysteriously tight-lipped on West Bengal!

Pannalal Dey,

Guwahati

Gavaskar’s advice

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has an opinion on everything related to Indian cricket. His views are held in high esteem, though one feels he gets carried away at times. Recently, Gavaskar lambasted the Indian selectors for their myopic approach towards the just concluded test series against the West Indies. Heavy scores from the bats of the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli meant little for Indian cricket, according to the little master. A young, new-look Indian squad could have been sent to the Caribbeans, as this could have provided fresh talents with huge exposure. Though Gavaskar has a point, a series against the West Indies on the latter's home ground is always special.

True, the West Indies team is a pale shadow of what it once was. That being said, it has to be noted that India failed miserably in the World Test Championship finals, where its big guns flopped. Top batsmen badly needed runs under their belt to boost their confidence when the 50-over World Cup is a few months away. Rather than cooling their heels at home, a feel for the cricket pitches is always a plus. Of course, Gavaskar's advice should be well taken by the selectors headed by Ajit Agarkar, with an eye on the future. The team management should be applauded for pushing the lower order above during the small run chase in the first one-day international and resting Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the second ODI notwithstanding the result.

Ganapathi Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)