It is getting more and more intriguing by the day.

While the family members of four of the nine militants who laid down arms during the surrender ceremony held on March 13 this year have gone to Court to state that their sons and wards were compelled to enact the surrender drama to get jobs in the armed forces, the Assam Rifles authorities have strongly refuted the allegations.

While we leave the matter to the Court to decide and come to its conclusion, there is no refuting the point that the allegations are serious, very serious.

This is perhaps the first time in the history of the State that such a type of allegation has been raised against the security establishment and while the Public Relations units of the security force have been galvanised into action to limit the damage done, it remains to be seen how the public perceive the issue at hand.

Trust and confidence of the public is one of the key ingredients for the security force to carry out its duty and the latest allegation raised against it will not do anything good for the image of the men in uniform.

There are also reasons for the public to take the version of the security force with a pinch of salt for the past tells many a significant story, not only in Manipur but also because of what has happened in other parts of the country.

The infamous Tomato Ketchup story is still fresh in the mind of the public and while we acknowledge the manner in which swift action was taken up by the Army to nail the guilty officials, the blow that the incident left on the image of the security force is yet to heal completely.

As we have said before, the charges are very serious for the petitions filed before the Court is nothing short of accusing the Assam Rifles of stage managing a surrender drama to earn some brownie points.

One important question that needs to be addressed by all concerned is this; "What possible motive or benefits could there be in raising such an allegation if it is false,?"

By openly stating that they were compelled to act out a surrender drama before the media and for the whole world to see, what possible benefits do those people who have raised the allegations stand to gain ?

The police report to the Magistrate that the said persons had procured arms to only give them up to the Assam Rifles to be recruited is a little far fetch. Arms as we know it do not come at an easy price.

No one who can afford to buy such expensive arms and guns will be that desperate to get a job in the armed forces by staging a surrender drama.

As we have said, since the matter is now with the Court let the law take its own course and let the truth prevail.

While we have full confidence in the Judiciary to delver the goods, the State Government too should ensure that the persons who have filed the petitions and their family members are not harassed in any manner to retract their stand.