Unexplained violence
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: October 28, 2009 -

Apart from the killings between state forces and resistant groups and the concomitant collateral damages suffered by the people, there is another dimension to the cycle of violence being witnessed in Manipur.

This can be pictured in the recent incidents of powerful groups, including both armed and unarmed groups, bashing people, sometimes even causing death.

Starting from law enforcing agencies, the so-called leaders and those groups claiming to be working for the people, all having some power have been bullying the weaker people.

In addition to bullying and thrashing people, these powerful groups have often either beaten or shot people to death. The tragedy is that nondescript, unknown and irresponsible groups have also started thrashing and killing people with all sense of impunity.

Very often these crimes are motivated and fuelled by personal agenda to remove any potential obstacle in the path of their unholy game. In some cases, these crimes were of totally pervert nature such as the killing of small kids just to rob their petty earrings.

A few days back, some people travelling in a jeep along Imphal-Jiribam road were beaten to the point of death after confiscating all their money.

A few villagers were also thrashed in Ukhrul district in the aftermath of a gun-fight between two UG groups recently.

Another non-local man is lying unconscious in hospital after he was severely assaulted by unidentified men.

A resident of Mahabali is also undergoing treatment after being bashed up by security personnel.

These are only the recent happenings. Many such cases of unaccountable thrashing and killings have gone reported or unreported in the past.

All these unexplained assaults and killings have contributed a lot in earning the epithet, centre of violence for Manipur. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was not wrong when he said Manipur accounts for the maximum number of violence in the entire North East region.

It is universally acceptable to use the rod to teach a lesson or two to those deviating or acting against social norms and collective interests but what is being witnessed today is not about correcting wayward person(s).

The evolving trend has all the characteristics of a mindset which says, Let them die, we don't care. The general reflection to the outside world is that Manipur is the vortex of violence and the people inhabiting the land are cruel, free-going and lack sense of justice.

If the present trend continues, it would not be long before Manipur is seen as land of violent mavericks, arousing fear and contempt to the people beyond its borders.

To save the Manipuri nation who boasts of a proud history of 2000 years from falling into such an abyss, all must join hands now. Starting from the hands that are swaying cradles to the political leaders occupying the seat of power, all should ponder and make sincere efforts to check violence in Manipur.

Here, it is crucial to start the corrective measures with oneself. Each and every family should first mend their homes before hurling criticisms at others.

In tune with the efforts of citizens, the Government should also have the courage to punish its security personnel promptly as and when they commit acts of violence outside law.

For this, the Government need to throw away any partisan attitude or preferential treatment of their favoured ones. It's time the Government shed the self-structured inhibition against punishing its wayward men in uniform for fear of hurting their morale.

All men, irrespective of their position, should be taken to task if they commit any offence. Discipline is must for both governance and order.