Poll violence getting deadlier
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 26, 2022 -
Regardless of Manipur Human Rights Commission acting chairperson Khaidem Mani asking the police department to take up effective security measures for preventing and addressing incidents of violence related to the assembly election, it is unlikely that miscreants as well as ardent political workers would relent from resorting to vioJent means.
Like everybody else, the rights panel is rightly worried as incidents of pre-poll violence in the state are no more limited to heated exchange of words and brawls among supporters of rival candidates or intimidation of the voters as were witnessed in past elections.
In this election, there has been increasing use of firearms to target active political workers and triggering blasts at or close to residences of candidates, thereby signifying that the cycle of violence might continue, at-least till the final votes have been cast and counted.
Clashes among the political workers have been the norm in every election across the country as nobody wants to be on the losing side after the verdict is announced.
However, it is frequent use of firearms and explosives which is a cause of concern for it is clear that the intention is to cause serious harm or send the grim message to the people to stay away from the targeted candidates.
On its part, the ECI and the Manipur CEO have been working overnight to hold the elections under a peaceful environment by carrying out extensive campaigns to make the public aware about their rights, and deploying additional forces in areas considered susceptible to see violence based on the past experiences.
However, it is obvious that putting an end to election-related violence would be akin to the proverbial search for a needle in a haystack.
As such Khaidem Mani's suggestion to the police authorities to do the needful to enable the citizens exercise their democratic rights without any fear wouldn't be fruitful for use of deadly weapons in the election rings out the message that some unscrupulous candidates have diabolic intentions and are determined to execute the same to win the polls at any cost.
As is evident from thecourt granting bail to all those pulled up by the police in connection with the recent violence in Andro assembly constituency or similar process made for freeing accused in the Heirok killing case, diligent execution of Kh Mani's recommendations that workers and candidates found breaking the law should be booked would be an uncomfortable task for the police, especially as the violence has spread far and wide.
The police might arrest and detain a few rogue elements but stopping the vicious incidents of violence and intimidation being reported from across the state is out of the context as of now.
Nevertheless, it is encouraging to learn that top police officers have assured him of upholding law and order to their best, ability and stop such incidents from recurring.
For the public, the common wish would be that in the remaining few days of election till the end of the entire election process the acts of violence do not cause harm or claim the lives of innocent citizens.
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