The Napetpalli incident
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: December 28 2012 -

Villagers of Rishophung demonstrating against the Napet Palli incident :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

Even as all the people in Manipur, irrespective of their place of settlement and the communities to which they belong to, are trying to grapple with the unsettling situation prevailing in the State in the wake of reported molestation and assault of film actress Momoco and opening fire at two other male artistes by Livingstone Anal, a senior functionary of NSCN(IM), during a musical concert at Chandel district headquarters on December 18, another equally 'shocking' and 'despicable' incident has come about.

In the latest incident, a young Tangkhul girl, who was returning home along with 12 other boys and girls for Christmas celebration at her native Risophung village in Senapati district, was reportedly molested by three goons at Napetpalli area under Lamlai police station in the evening of December 14.

What is equally shocking, if not more, in the latest molestation case, is the involvement of a hard core activist of the outlawed KCP (City Meetei) group against whom an FIR case has already been registered at Lamlai Police Station on his arrest in July this year.

Involvement of some high-profile supposed 'sons of the soil' in such beastly acts while various social organizations, both in the hills and the valley, are trying their level best to defuse any possible tension among the various communities in Manipur is really unfortunate.

Considering the sensitive nature of the crime, which clearly indicates complete disregard to the immense contribution that Manipuri womenfolk as a whole have been making towards the evolution of Manipuri society down the years, there should not be any leniency in dealing with such cases.

The culprits should be booked and given necessary punishment in accordance to the laws of the land, sooner the batter.

Failure on the part of the State Government and its machineries to take up prompt action would only fuel the already charged atmosphere, thus, giving undue advantage to forces, which are waiting for an opportune moment to drive wedge among the people and set one community against another.

Even though the self-styled 'Lt Col' Livingstone of NSCN (IM), the main accused in the Chandel molestation case, is still at large; the three goons involved in the Napetpalli incident have already fortunately been arrested and taken into police custody, thanks to the swift action initiated by the local Meira Paibis.

Now, it is upto the State Government and its machineries to ensure a speedy trial for awarding befitting punishment to the molesters, thereby sending out a clear and loud message that there is no place for such beastly beings in a civilized society.

It is also high time for the people to question how long they would like to remain suffering because of some supposed 'sons of the soil' who are soiling the land and throwing the muck around to create animosity among them.