Law & order in times of blasts
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: February 20, 2014 -
The series of bomb blasts in Manipur particularly in the valley region and the capital city Imphal in the recent past indicate at least two things – first, the hollowness of the claims by the authority that law and order situation in the State have been kept under control and second, the helplessness of the people to escape palpable fear psychosis.
With series of blast since the run-up to the Republic Day (January 26), there have been sporadic explosion of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and an assortment of bombs.
The blast that took place on Wednesday afternoon in the heart of Imphal City at busy Masjid Road under City Police Station injured three police personnel and two civilians.
The two civilians have been identified as women cloth vendors at Imoinu Keithel in Khwairamband Bazar.
While one can debate over the usefulness or the futility of violent means to make political statement, tactics which make innocent civilians victims cannot be condoned at all cost.
There seems to be no more wisdom in reiterating the fact that making innocent people victims of violence would further distance the gap between demands put forth and the needed support sought from the masses for achieving the set objectives.
Having made the picture clear, one should also be reminded again that it is the duty of the State to protect the citizens irrespective of who the perpetrators are.
However, the efforts or even the claims of the State Government on putting in place measurable security cover to protect the citizens seem to be rather misplaced.
The efforts made by the State have been overemphasized on protecting leaders rather than the citizens.
While deliberating the points to ponder, one can examine the steps taken up by the State Government on strengthening its armed security forces and modernizing the police.
For instance, as part of security measures, 23 CCTVs were installed at strategic locations and made operational on the eve of Union Home Minster’s recent visit.
The CCTV cameras were supposed to be controlled by the State Police on a temporary basis in compliance with directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
While acknowledging such steps as useful for the purpose of protecting VVIPs including politicians, the same measures should be repeatedly assessed to see if they could bring any benefit to the citizens at large.
In simple words, one should ask whether or not such measures can ensure protection of lives and property.
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