Repair and upgrade NH-53 by all means but let not anybody resort to cutting off the nose to spite the face as it seems to be happening today in the boycott of NH-39 by a section of transporters. Let everybody, including those in power, be open to learning lessons, but no crisis however grave should be allowed to embitter relationships, especially when it is a given that there is no other option for everybody but to live together and find ways to accommodate each other in the best possible way. Hurting each other more is definitely no way this can be done. It should also be realised that more than physical injuries and hardships people inflict on each other, what hurts more is the knowledge of the intent of these actions. As for instance, what hurt and angered people in the valley by the 68-day economic blockade by ANSAM and UNC was not so much the food and petrol scarcity. As a matter of fact people were getting used to scaling down cost of lifestyles even if it meant giving up a number of conveniences. What was injurious and infuriating was the knowledge that here were people intent on strangulating and intimidating another to submission, whatever their cause may be. That the tactics did not have the result intended is itself the proof that such extreme challenges rather than make people cower and submit strengthen their resolve to resist.

The lesson from this however seems not learnt yet. No doubt the transporters who are now enforcing a boycott of NH-39 have genuine grievances which need to be given ear by the government. They go through not just daily hardships, but humiliation of being bullied around and sometimes threats to life and limb. This however is a result of the law and order breakdown in the region and it is predictable the condition would not be any better on NH-53 once it gains in importance. Let it also be known that nobody is fooled there is a more sinister will behind the boycott, seeking to pay a tit-for-tat compliment to those who supported the effort to stifle the state into submission. The anger is justified and as in the case of those who called the boycott, the initial outburst understandable. This message has already been made clear. However, it should not be pushed any further, for then as in the prolonged economic blockade it will only result in the hardening of attitudes, rather than anybody submitting. It is also unlikely to solve any long standing problems of the state. This is a situation that this beleaguered state does not need at this juncture, or at any juncture. Let better sense prevail. Insist on having more alternate lifelines upgraded or developed, but under no circumstance must existing lifelines be sought to be made redundant. In the end it will serve nobody’s end.

What is also surprising is the government’s silence on the matter. It must be able to negotiate a settlement with the boycott callers. This can best be done by two promises. One, that their complaints of harassment would be addressed to the best of its ability. Since the highway also passes through Nagaland state, the promise must substantiate that the neighbouring state’s cooperation would be also sought. The other equally important promise must be not to slacken its commitment to develop NH-53 and NH-150, and even to make the effort to have the Centre agree to cut another lifeline alongside the Jiri-Tupul rail line now under construction. In any case, NH-39 will remain important even if the other lifeline or lifelines were to become fully functional. At this moment, connecting to the Brahamaputra valley, from where most of the important essential imports of state come from is most economical along this highway. Getting petrol and diesel from Assam through NH-53 for instance would mean a considerable detour bringing up transportation costs phenomenally. Till such a time as the Barak valley becomes a vibrant economy after the Silchar expressway is complete, and the border with Bangladesh opens up for free trade and passage to West Bengal, NH-53 will be destined to remain as only an alternate and not the main lifeline for Manipur. But Bangladesh, now having come under an Indian friendly regime, is indeed opening up and has allowed multi-billion dollar Indian investment to develop over 60 bridges along the highways that will connect the Barak Valley with West Bengal. Once this becomes a reality, it is predictable NH-53 will overtake the importance of NH-39. It will be prudent for Manipur to prepare for such a future so as to be able to take the best advantage of it, but even then, it cannot be at the total neglect of NH-39. From Manipur’s point of view, every part of it must be given equal importance. This in the end will be everybody’s interest.