Scapegoating foot soldiers
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: September 25, 2021 -
SUSPENSION of a fairly large number of police personnel in addition to termination of service of a Village Defence Force member in connection with the abduction and killing of socio-political activist Athuan Abonmai in Tamenglong district on September 22 was on expected line for someone had to be held accountable for the daring act of the perpetrators.
As reported, the Directorate General of Police has constituted a three-member committee of top police officers to enquire into circumstances leading to the slaying of Abonmai, but the findings of the investigation are unlikely to end with framing of any of the top rung police or administrative officers for it has been a tradition for the foot soldiers to face the music whenever high-profile cases crop up.
With civil societies, student bodies, human rights groups and political organisations condemning the abduction-murder case and asserting that the out-spoken activist paid the price due to security lapses in and around the programme venue of chief minister N Biren, it's pretty obvious that the axe would fall on those who were assigned duty to ensure smooth conduct of the event, which was preceded by mixed reactions to the CM's presence.
Though viral video clippings of the incident and accounts of eyewitnesses indicate/authenticate presence of state as well as central forces in substantial numbers when Athuan Abonmai was taken captive and driven away, inability of the men in uniform tojump to the rescue of the victim underscore the extent of domination of the armed outfit in the area.
While elaborate security arrangement is inevitable as the event was attended by the CM and his cabinet colleagues, all of whom are classified VIPs, it is the lack of motivation among the men in uniform to foil the abduction which needs proper perusal.
Taking into account of the fact that the abductors faced no resistance at all from the security personnel, it could also be construed that the perpetrators had not only planned the abduction but were prepared to face any eventuality for they must be well aware that their abduction plot might take an ugly turn-in case the security forces intervened.
Interestingly, the incident came amid' persistent claims that the law and order situation in Manipur has seen tremendous improvement ever since the BJP-led coalition formed the government. However, the broad daylight abduction and subsequent murder of the well-known civil society leader, who was known to be a staunch critic of the NSCN-IM, laid bare the fact that the semblance of law and order stability in the state in limited to the twin capital city and district headquarters of valley districts.
Beyond the valley pockets, it needs no reminding who calls the shot as could be comprehended from various recent as well a$ past incidents in the hill areas when security forces were, literally, forced to duck for cover from agitated locals whenever extorters and members of armed outfits are arrested/detained or came under attack.
Thus, the latest case of Athuan's abduction and murder would hopefully spur the government of Manipur to either approach the central authorities for reining in members of at-least those armed groups which are bound by peace pacts and are engaged in the dialogue process to bring an amicable settlement to the varied but sensitive issues, or motivate the state's forces to do the needful rather than making the foot soldiers scapegoats for administrative oversight.
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