By Aristotle Lyngdoh
Since the beginning of the lockdown, many things have happened which are both good and bad. The good part is the total absence of crime in the society which we see every day in newspapers. Perhaps because everyone is preoccupied with relief and home chore activities, the crime graph has shown a downward slide. Whatever be the case, I wish that this Samaritan spirit continues to live in every heart ever for a peaceful world to live in. Nevertheless, the only loophole now that has caught the attention of many is the cry of the poor and the downtrodden due to unavailability of jobs and food items which has compelled many NGOs to step in. Besides, such situations too have made the government vulnerable to criticism despite its immense efforts. Adding fuel to the fire is the aftermath of Covid19 positive cases in the city and the death of the first victim. Never has such volatility been seen in people because of this sudden impact. The homecoming of stranded citizens coupled with the cries of farmers who cannot sell their fresh products has created more confusion in the society unless meaningful measures are taken by the authorities.
If we the people have understood and really imbibed the guidelines of the Disaster Management Act, I am sure we could have been better off than any state to handle disasters of any kind and magnitude. But it is sad to know that every training and mock drill undertaken by the Disaster Management Team has gone in vain and no one seems to be serious or to take interest in it. Because of this foolish mindset that no harm will ever come, we underestimate and dismiss the warnings and instructions issued by Disaster Management Agency. Had every Dorbar Shnong followed and strictly implemented these guidelines, no one would be left out of help and assistance during times of emergency. Let me point out a few of the broad principles of the management plan as mentioned by Phyrnai Marbaniang in an article in U Nongsain Hima (March 31, 2020). According to the plan, every village should constitute various committees of not less than ten persons to deal with different tasks. These are (1) Warning team, (2) Search & rescue team, (3) First Aid Team, (4) Temporary Shelter Management Team, (5) Water & sanitation Team, (6) Carcass or dead body disposal team, (7) Damage assessment team, (8) Relief Resource mobilisation & Co-ordination Team (9) Patrolling Team.
In situations like this we can think of more areas like Counselling Team, Panic Management team, etc. According to Marbaniang many tranings have been conducted in many villages and Dorbar Shnong both urban and rural. But the sad thing is whenever such programs happen the first thing that people ask for is if there is monetary compensation for attending the training. This is our mindset. We have to admit it and whoever has sown the seed is responsible and has committed a great blunder. When an actual disaster happens as it has now what writers like Phyrnai Marbaniang can do is to lament and regret because of the nature and stupidity of the people everywhere.
To plainly blame the Government for every mess is foolishness. Government here does not necessarily mean Conrad Sangma government. And to say that it has not done anything is also wrong merely because we failed to act in those days while the iron was hot. The more disastrous part in our society is our nature. The same people who clap and cherish NGOs distributing food items are also the ones who criticise and ignore government efforts through disaster management programmes. What stupid citizens we are when we have the Disaster Management Policy in place, yet we want to manage crisis in our own style and dictates. From where did such ideas emerge? The problem now is with us if we do not change this mindset.
I agree that during these past few weeks our Dorbar Shnong have become a channel of grassroots support to the district administration and the public. But had our Dorbar Shnong in principle adopted the guidelines of the Disaster Management plans, things would have been different and better managed. The point is that each and every person should be aware and equipped to handle any type of disaster and should not remain hapless or a mere spectator expecting others to do the job. The role and responsibilities enshrined in the Plan should be disseminated to every single person.
But the foolishness of this current Government is also not ruled out when it created two Committees for the Economic Task Force where the CM, Dy CM & some Cabinet Ministers are forefront members in both the Committees. What is this and whose idea is it? When the same people are there is not one Committee enough? What does this mean? That both coaches and managers are playing the role of the players? Are not these people authorising themselves? Imagine the Chairman of the Apex committee (Conrad Sangma) writing to himself as Chairman of the Executive Committee which is absurd. In the Apex committee, the presence of CM, Dy CM & Cabinet Minister as members is fine but I think in the Executive Committee of the Economic Task Force experts from various fields and experiences including bankers should be the primary members of this Committee. What is the immediate economic task needed to lift the economy back to the rails and what are the areas and categories that need immediate and robust attention and support.
It is high time for Conrad Sangma to go back to the Disaster Management Act and synchronise his activities according to that Plan following which economic strategies will simultaneously emerge during operations. Insist on the various village committees stipulated in the Disaster Management Plan & Act. The State and its people can no longer afford to face the second outbreak of the pandemic or any other type of disaster. With the homecoming of many, what will happen (God forbid) but one thing is for sure; unemployment will rise in the coming days. Because of unemployment many things too will happen because, as the saying goes, an idle mind is a devil’s workshop because unemployment too is like a disaster. What is the point to allowing opening of workshops for repair of vehicles when private vehicles are not allowed to ply? How will these workers obtain their livelihoods? Since the situation is still uncertain due to the rise of Covid19 cases in the country, the Economic Task force should act hand in hand with the Disaster Management Plan and Act.