In the role of 'satanic' villain
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: December 21 2012 -

A Protest by Film Fraternity against the molestation :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

'Shocking' or 'despicable' are words to soft to describe the conduct of the NSCN (IM) who molested and assaulted film actress Momoco in full public view on the stage where she was compering a musical concert at Chandel district headquarters on the night of December 17.

During the course of the musical concert organized by Mahamani Women's Society, Chandel to raise fund for Mahamani Youth Club, the accused NSCN (IM) cadre identified as Livingstone, who is the finance officer in charge of Chandel district of the Naga rebel group, first opened two rounds of blank firing from among the crowd before coming up to the stage wielding his gun to show his satanic side on the young actress.

When the young actress resisted the undue advances of Livingstone, he pulled her hair, threw her on the ground and kicked her repeatedly till she lost consciousness.

Two other male artistes, who came to the rescue of Momoco, were also fired at from close range. But, luckily, the bullet misfired and they escaped unhurt.

Even as the unruly conduct of the 'high profile' NSCN (IM) cadre has evoked widespread condemnation, what has come even more shocking was the mute silence maintained by all those present and enjoying the musical concert including the security personnel of both the State as well as the Central Paramilitary forces to the scene being unfolded on the stage, which was far from musical at all.

Does that mean they too were numb and caught by surprise at the bold but villainous act of the armed NSCN (IM) cadre?

Or was it simply because the accused is aware of their inactiveness only too well and knows that they won't be able to do anything?

The incident may have been taken up for discussion on the floor of the Assembly and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who is also in charge of Home, has given the assurance of arresting the perpetrator along with issuing necessary instructions to authorities of Assam Rifles for doing the needful.

But it's unfortunate that the House does not deem it fit for condemnation despite the fact that almost the entire members have spoken out against the despicable act of molesting and assaulting a young defenceless woman in full public view.

Lack of evidence that has been cited as the main reason for rejection of the proposal to condemn the incident by the House unanimously has come even more shocking to the people than the unruly conduct of the armed NSCN (IM) cadre.

Why would anyone and more particularly, a young and popular film artiste that, too a female, would ever think of coming out to the media to reveal the ordeal she had gone through if nothing had actually taken place?

This is a question that everyone should have asked before rejecting the case.

Now that the organizer of the musical concert, Mahamani Women's Society, which must be obviously under pressures from all those powers that be, has made a public apology over the 'ugly incident' and beseeched forgiveness from film fraternity of Manipur and Momoco and her team mates in particular, the question of 'cheap publicity' can be ruled out completely.

All said and done, it is interesting to note the 'effectiveness' of intelligence agents in the State when the Home Minister claimed that he came to know about the incident after the aggrieved artistes submitted a memorandum.

What a joke!!