Sharmila Re-arrest Fiasco : Gaikhangam should apologise on behalf of the Police, if not, he should resign on moral ground

Dr Th Suresh *

Irom Sharmila re-arrested on 22 August 2014 by Imphal Police :: Pix - Amnesty International/Kadambari Gladding

I hope our Hon'ble Deputy CM read this article so that he can understand the real intention of this article. In my article entitled 'President's Rule without President's rule will continue in Manipur' published in English Edition of Hueiyen Lanpao on 10th May 2012 after the Assembly Election, I was the only one who advocated that he be made the deputy CM. The reason cited was his fearlessness against Greater Nagalim.

Another reason cited was that it would strengthen hill-valley integration. Therefore, I was quite happy when he became deputy CM latter on. At that time, I also presumed that with CM Ibobi busy holding many important portfolios, the Home Deptt. requires a separate Minister for its long overdue improvement.

In the beginning of his assumption, there appeared some improvement in the police deptt. But now, I am quite disheartened in the way the Deptt. is turning around. Consider Sarmila's re-arrest yesterday (22/8/2014). Any intellectual with some common sense will knew that she would be re-arrested. I have predicted this on a panel discussion at Impact TV on her release day. Manipur This Week Editor A. Mobi also attended the discussion as the other member.

Nevertheless, look the way it turned around.

Did not the Manipur Police have other means to re-arrest Manipur's Iconic girl? Is this the way to treat Manipur's most world famous lady?

How is that she was physically lifted , that too by male policemen, in full view of the Indian media and other onlookers?

Why cannot she was persuaded gently explaining the reasons of her re-arrest?

By a thorough discussion with the other ladies around and with gentle persuasion to Sharmila, the matter could have been performed in a more civilised way. Knowing Sarmila personally, she would have certainly agreed to such one.

The incident is all the more regrettable if one keep in mind that Sharmila was very weak because of her fasting for 2 days. The police had shown such an attitude as if they were capturing a terrorist. Their mindset was as if Sharmila would have a great escape from the place of her fasting. They were in a hurry as if they were given a time bound by a court. They cannot delay for a few minutes in gentle persuasion and discussion.

The way she struggled is intolerable. The way it was shown repeatedly in various national channels is intolerable. It has exposed the uncivilised behaviour of the state police, it has exposed the uncontrolled state police machinery, and lastly it has exposed the unworthy administration of the Ibobi administration. Is there any reason left that the administration can cite in its defence?

This even became an embarrassment to Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwary in one of the national news channel panel discussion the same day. He even admitted that the situation would have been handled in a more different way by the state Government. What more he can add other than this?

I am also disgusted at the way national news channels discuss AFSPA in Manipur. These channels can neither highlight the present factual situation of AFSPA nor can they discuss it threadbare. These channels never knew that a PIL is at the Apex Court for repeal of the same.

Manipuris participating in them also look like feeling sigh to mention it for the reasons best known to them. However, interesting phases of the hearing is coming on 12th October or after. On previous 9 hearings, the Apex court was not taking it up because of its unfinished task related to extrajudicial killings case. AFSPA case is tagged together with the extrajudicial killing one.

Coming back to the present hot topic, one cannot blame the poor police personnel. They are accustomed to such behaviour frequently. You see them how they handled agitating Manipuri ladies, you see them handling agitating students, and you see them handling other peaceful demonstrators. They will welcome peaceful marchers by water cannons, tear gas and bullets. They are accustomed to these methods. The blame should squarely lie on the higher echelon of the Home Deptt. who don't teach and motivate them to behave in a civilised manner. The blame lies with the Minister for not initiating such courses.

Hence taking some action on some small frays is not the solution. Those in the higher position should be cornered and explanation sought for. This particular incident will not be forgotten soon. Here lies Manipur's Prestige and honour. Honour and prestige of every Manipuri,and not only the ruling clan, is affected. That is the reason why I called upon our deputy CM to apologise immediately to avoid further embarrassment. In case of failure, the deputy CM should resign on moral ground by showing high political value.