Pro-democracy riots in Burma have a clear message: people don’t want military bondage anymore. But, their demand fell on deaf ears. Military suppressed the revolt with iron hands to continue its stranglehold on power. Well, deaf needs a bang to hear. Will Burmese bounce back with bang?
World is still gauzing its mood and neighbors are enjoying the wretched dance while democracy was blood stained and languished in the streets of Rangoon. Finally the streets are tranquil. So, is it a ‘calm before the storm’ or is it calm that comes after the storm?
Whatsoever, but the Military Junta is hell bothered. Military is patrolling streets for blocking the democratic air to come into. The streets are now coming to normalcy putting three days bloody crackdown a distant memory.
Is the higgledy-piggledy and mind boggling affair over? Do Burmese know ‘King Bruce and Spider’ story? Yes, the streets in Burma may be silent, but anti Government policies are in the making. Monks haven’t given up either. For that reason, symbolic acts of revolt - religious and political as well - in the fervently Buddhist nation are on.
Military is trying its level best to put off the revolt while at the same time threatening and persuading protesters for not going against Govt. Why one is surprised? This is what an illegitimate Govt. does.
But, what, after all international community in general and UN in particular, are doing to ward the crises off?
UN envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, visited the country and will brief the UN Security Council later on Friday. Will UN find its spine this time? So far it hadn’t and remained more or less a spectator and used to hibernate when its help was most desperately needed - be it Iraq, Darfur (Sudan), Somalia, Vietnam...
Whereas, US leads the race announcing sanctions. Well, this is the best option available in present situation and Japan follows the suit. China, who has the blessing hand on military rulers of Burma has remained mum so far, enjoying the sport in the streets of Rangoon ? Here again, interests in oil and gas fields play major role for China and Russia vetoing the UN resolution critical of Military regime.
So how long the military rulers will continue tormenting civilians with their brutalities, one hardly knows. However, the road for the democracy is far and tough for Burmese. For international community having a few levers to pull over Rangoon, the need of the hour is to kick start exerting stringent sanctions on the Military Junta forcing it to buckle down. But again, it needs a collective effort while rising above the profit mongering.
